New ACF not eating

[mpmistr]

Michael, What filter model do you have.

I have an external fluval that has a lever on it to adjust the water flow.
I have it set so the current isn't so strong in my 46G bowfront so the food will
land in the feeding dish I have on top of the gravel.
and allow the fish to rest at night.

Eheim 2217

[Louis Charles Bruckner]

I have looked at that model and there isn't a built in way of regulating the water flow.
in engineering if you are going to control a flow from a pump it is always better to restrict
the intake of a pump rather than the output.
you can use a simple c clamp to restrict the flow on the intake of the filter. Just be careful not to pinch the hose too much.

If you can't do that you can make a drip bar across the back of the tank with a pice of PVC pipe and drill some 1/8 holes along the length of the pipe.

you can use one 90 and a end cap and a hose nipple reducer.
and put that on the output to the tank.

[mpmistr]

I've considered tightening the shut off valve a bit to restrict water flow from the spray bar but I worry about having something bad happen and my living room going underwater.

[Louis Charles Bruckner]

Like I said it is not a good idea to restrict the output of a pump.
like if there is a weak connection in between the valve and the pump it could cause a flood.

I am planning on making a new habitat for a breeding rain chamber for my packman frog.
out of a 50 gall long plexi I have in storage.
and I will use a PVC pipe to make a the rain chamber portion.

I've considered tightening the shut off valve a bit to restrict water flow from the spray bar but I worry about having something bad happen and my living room going underwater.

[Louis Charles Bruckner]

Sorry RockyGurly
for hijacking the thread,

I do have one thing to offer related to the thread some what.
What substrate are you planning to have.

With that in mind. I would plant this idea.
either white or black smooth sand.
So if the frog does eat some it can easily pass it.
Also with gravel food can get stuck in-between the gravel and if the gravel is smaller than the frogs mouth it might
swallow some and that can be dangerous.

Also sand IMO is a better substrate since it has more surface area for the beneficial bacteria to grow on.
and I think it looks better.

just make sure when you place the intake of your new filter that is doesn't come too close to the
sand. Sand will destroy pump impellers and bearings in short order.

BTW welcome to the forum.

[RockyGurly]

I don't understand what useful purpose the daily water changes serve if the frog isn't producing any waste. If you get a filter please bear in mind that these frogs, unlike many fish, do not inhabit, and have not evolved to exist in, fast flowing waters so it's important not to subject it to a constant whirlpool.

One of the reasons I was so worried is I really don't think he was that healthy, the boy had him in a filthy (and I mean filthy) tank with no filter and he said he gave him a few fish once or twice a month. Along with the silly gravel and sharp toys, a rough car ride and a bunch of other things that sent up red flags for me.
I'm learning, but bear with me :P I'm completely new to all of this, I've never even had an aquatic set up before. So with the water, I was just trying to keep it clean until I got a filter (which I'll be picking up this afternoon) since the water seemed a bit cloudy. I really do appreciate the advice but there'll probably be some bumps along the way. But I'll cut down on the water changes if that's too much.

Sorry RockyGurly
for hijacking the thread,

I do have one thing to offer related to the thread some what.
What substrate are you planning to have.

With that in mind. I would plant this idea.
either white or black smooth sand.
So if the frog does eat some it can easily pass it.
Also with gravel food can get stuck in-between the gravel and if the gravel is smaller than the frogs mouth it might
swallow some and that can be dangerous.

Also sand IMO is a better substrate since it has more surface area for the beneficial bacteria to grow on.
and I think it looks better.

just make sure when you place the intake of your new filter that is doesn't come too close to the
sand. Sand will destroy pump impellers and bearings in short order.

BTW welcome to the forum.

No prob 8) and thanks!
He currently doesn't have any substrate, but the gravel came from his old setup. But I'm planning on adding a couple inches of clean playsand, since I have it on hand for my other critters. I also just ordered some amazon swords, duckweed, (real) moss balls and anubias, so I'm hoping to have a planted tank going soon (right now he just has the silk plant)

...7. I cleaned everything with hot tap water and then rinsed it in dechlor, he has a corner gutter PVC pipe, a rock cave, a couple rock decor pieces and a large silk plant
Make sure decor has no sharp edges and that frog can't get stuck in anything.

13. I had one smallish poop that still had some coloured gravel in it, but so far no new poops
If gravel in poop it's good frog is passing it. Stuck gravel in digestive system (impaction) could make it sick and cause death.

18. Reptomin is mainly being offered, but I tried a live earthworm and some frozen bloodworms
Glad it ate earthworm! Those are very nutritious. Good luck getting it to accept Reptomin.

21. So far none, but I plan on 10% water changes every week or two, and regular spot cleaning for old food and poops
I'll try the garlic thing, that's ok for them? Weird! :P
Would recommend 25% water change a week; specially now that you do not have a filter. Might not see much poop, but frog is peeing urea and in an uncycled tank (more below) the Ammonia and Nitrite levels must be high.

Garlic works as a taste enhancement in fish and frogs. If garlic oils are fresh, it's also a natural way to prevent some parasites.



I answered some relevant questions above. A new tank set-up will cycle itself in around 30 days. Not sure how that number is affected when a filter is absent. Beneficial bacteria needs a surface to live on and not having a filter; will only exist on tank walls, decor, and gravel. During the stabilization period the Ammonia will peak and then go down and then Nitrites will peak. Then both Ammonia and Nitrite will reach zero and your tank is cycled.

Your frog will be exposed to those bad chemicals; so observe it daily and note any changes in eating, swimming or pooping behavior. Here is link to article discussing several ACF diseases to give you idea what to look for: African Clawed Frog Disease and Injury. Do not over react, these frogs are pretty tough.

During this time you can do normal weekly water changes. Do not wash gravel or decor in tap water; that will kill the good bacteria. Also, recommend not using ammonia removing media or liquids because they will sequester too much Ammonia from tank and will start a yo-yo effect that will make the process much longer. Good luck !

Thank you! He just has the round edged PVC pipes and the rock things are fairly smooth too, so I think he'll be ok.
While I wish I could of set it up and done the whole cycling thing ahead of time, I only had one day of notice before I got him >.< so I'm just trying to play catch up. I'll keep what you said in mind I have a XL garden box on my porch with lots of worms living in it (I bought them four years ago when I got it set up) and it's totally fertilizer/pesticide free so that's where I've been getting his worms from

[Louis Charles Bruckner]

Don't worry,
You are doing ten times better than the last owner.

While the tank cycles just do really small water changes like around a gallon. every other day
to make sure the ammonia and nitrate ect ect doesn't get too high.
and doing that small of a water change wont interrupt the cycle too much.

(I think I said this before just don't know if it was this tread or not LOL getting senile. )

[RockyGurly]

Hi all! Just thought I'd give you a happy update
I may or may not be taking him with me, I'm not sure, I've gotten pretty attached. If I do, I have elaborate plans with a cooler so he can be comfortable for the long car ride.
He's taking pellets! So far he's taken a few tweezer fed ones that have been softened up a bit, and he seems to struggle a bit to choke it down but he manages (I've been cutting them in half to help) he still loves the occasional worm.
The filters been doing it's thing for the past week and I've been doing one gallon water changes every day or so. I've got some sand being cleaned and just about ready to go in, and my live plants should be here in a few days I also have the plant liquid fertilizer and I got him some more pipes to hide in (he loves the corner one)
In the summer when I move to vernon, I'll probably upgrade him to a 40 breeder if I can get my hands on one, and I'm sure I'll be able to find him a full sized companion (it's a pretty big city compared to here, so unfortunately there are a lot of homeless herps. I've already touched base with a few rescue homes and the local SPCA and I'll be taking in some new adoptees if any show up, or at least to hang onto until we can find homes, stoked!)
Thanks everyone 8) He's been very active and looks much healthier, he climbs the filter, still croaks all hours of the day, likes to squish himself into his little cave and he's super friendly, not shy at all. If I'm working near the tank or come by to feed him, he'll swim over to see what's going on, I've even taken to giving his back a little finger rub if he's hanging out near the surface, he doesn't seem to mind as long as he gets a chunk of worm.
Once the tank is planted and looking better, I'll make a huge post in introductions with pictures of him, as well as my gecko and 29 hermit crabs and isopods and various other critters 8)