Lost one of my Albino Claw Frogs

[maxQ]

Yeah I use Prime as well and I haven't had any issues. Man I just don't know, besides the fact the ammonia in the tank is toxic and could cause harm (clawed frogs are tough though and can usually survive a cycling).

But my Ammonia level was not high at all, it showed it to be barely .025 ppm, is that enough to hurt them?

What temperature were you keeping the tank at? What were you feeding? Hold old was the setup? Sounds like the tank was in the beginning of its cycle still.

Temp held at 73.5 to 75.0. I fed them Red Wigglers and Tubifex worms, I couldn't get them to eat anything else.

[Mentat]

Sorry you lost the other one Gary ! Has that tank been in use previously for fish, etc. and any strong medicines where applied on it. Same question for all decor.

If not then other possibility is an un-cycled tank due to overuse of Prime or mixing Prime with API dechlorinator. Let me explain the "Nitro Yo-Yo Effect."

When you cycle a tank/filter, you have to let the bacterial colonies grow. In order to do that they need to feed and multiply. Prime and other ammonia reducers are very aggressive so to use them as a de-chlorinator before adding tap water to tank is fine; but to add them to tank to reduce ammonia/nitrites (as the manufacturers recommend) removes the bacteria food, so they starve off and die. Then the urea from frogs adds more ammonia but now the bacteria have to repopulate again, so in the meantime, ammonia levels rise. Then the aquarist (or frog keeper) test kit shows ammonia... OMG ! So we add more neutralizing chemicals (Prime, Amquel, etc.) and so begins a series of mini crashes and your ammonia levels go up and down like a yo-yo. Also, your tank will never cycle correctly or take forever to do so.

My recommendation is to use Prime or whatever only once on tap water before adding to tank, and then let the biological cycle establish itself without chemical interference for a month (2 weeks if add Seachem Stability or similar). Good luck !

[maxQ]

Sorry you lost the other one Gary ! Has that tank been in use previously for fish, etc. and any strong medicines where applied on it. Same question for all decor.

If not then other possibility is an un-cycled tank due to overuse of Prime or mixing Prime with API dechlorinator. Let me explain the "Nitro Yo-Yo Effect."

When you cycle a tank/filter, you have to let the bacterial colonies grow. In order to do that they need to feed and multiply. Prime and other ammonia reducers are very aggressive so to use them as a de-chlorinator before adding tap water to tank is fine; but to add them to tank to reduce ammonia/nitrites (as the manufacturers recommend) removes the bacteria food, so they starve off and die. Then the urea from frogs adds more ammonia but now the bacteria have to repopulate again, so in the meantime, ammonia levels rise. Then the aquarist (or frog keeper) test kit shows ammonia... OMG ! So we add more neutralizing chemicals (Prime, Amquel, etc.) and so begins a series of mini crashes and your ammonia levels go up and down like a yo-yo. Also, your tank will never cycle correctly or take forever to do so.

My recommendation is to use Prime or whatever only once on tap water before adding to tank, and then let the biological cycle establish itself without chemical interference for a month (2 weeks if add Seachem Stability or similar). Good luck !

Hey Carlos, The tank was brand new for them. I may have poisoned them with water conditioner based on what you say, I never poured it right into the tank always in a separate container before adding water but I did it every time I did a water change.

Were they live tubifex? I know red wrigglers are considered safe but are known to be toxic to garter snakes. I personally use nightcrawlers because peoples opinions on red wrigglers seem to vary a lot.

I ask if the tubifex were live or not, they are known to be vectors for disease (they are raised in filthy water). It's actually quite difficult to purchase them live I am assuming they were freeze dried, which is also not a great food type as these can cause intestinal issues.

Ammonia, even .25ppm is toxic, at best would make the frogs life very uncomfortable. ACF are hardy frogs, the ammonia in itself wouldn't kill them but it would stress them and allow secondary infection to set in and become fatal.

Going forward I would follow Carlos' advice, I would cycle this tank to where you have zero ammonia, zero nitrite, and traces of nitrates before adding more frogs. This may be cruel but you could get some cheap fish or if you are the humane type, do a fishless cycle.

I used the dried Tubifex Worms.

Did you check your Nitrite levels or just Ammonia?

I always checked Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrates.Maybe from what you guys have said either I used Water Conditionr too much or the Ammonia level was too high, I did youe cheap live Minnows to help cycle the tank and once the tank cycled and I eventually introduced my guys to the tank they ate the minnows. I feel bad now...Thanks guys.

[mpmistr]

Were they live tubifex? I know red wrigglers are considered safe but are known to be toxic to garter snakes. I personally use nightcrawlers because peoples opinions on red wrigglers seem to vary a lot.

I ask if the tubifex were live or not, they are known to be vectors for disease (they are raised in filthy water). It's actually quite difficult to purchase them live I am assuming they were freeze dried, which is also not a great food type as these can cause intestinal issues.

Ammonia, even .25ppm is toxic, at best would make the frogs life very uncomfortable. ACF are hardy frogs, the ammonia in itself wouldn't kill them but it would stress them and allow secondary infection to set in and become fatal.

Going forward I would follow Carlos' advice, I would cycle this tank to where you have zero ammonia, zero nitrite, and traces of nitrates before adding more frogs. This may be cruel but you could get some cheap fish or if you are the humane type, do a fishless cycle.

[rodsboys]

Did you check your Nitrite levels or just Ammonia?

[mpmistr]

Did you check your Nitrite levels or just Ammonia?

Excellent point, Nitrite is actually more toxic than Ammonia.