Set Up Costs

[Kody]

Hello,

I've recently begun researching FBT and am planning on getting three toads for a 20g long aquarium. What is the best way to set up the tank to make them as comfortable as possible, what do I need to set up, and about how much should the initial cost be?

[Frogman1031]

FBTs are a fun species to watch and they're also very easy to take care of. You should have 1/3 to 1/2 land ad 1/2 to 2/3 of shallow water. Filters aren't a necessity but they definitely help especially if you don't have time to change the water as often. Remember that you still need to change the water sometimes. One way to make this easier is to buy an aquarium divder to seperate land and water. These usually cost from ten to twenty dollars at the pet store. The divider will allow you to change the water easily and allow you to use a more eye-catching substrate on the land side. Be sure to give the toads plenty of places where they can hide and feel safe. these are essential to make sure you have a happy and healthy toad. For substrate you could go with moist paper towels to coconut bedding/Eco earth to reptile carpet on the land side. Try to avoid bark of any kind as these could injure the frog or could lead to impaction by the frog swallowing it. On the water side you can use smooth, large gravel to prevent impaction by swallowing and skin abrasions. No special heating or lighting is required as long as you dust their food regularly with a calcium/vitamin d3 supplement. However, a UVB or full spectrum light wouldnt hurt and may even give your toads a brighter, more vibrant color. All in all the cost should be between 100 to 200 dollars(not really sure) but follow these steps and you can have a happy toad that can live ten years or more. In fact, with the right conditions you could even have toad tadpoles one day!

[maxQ]

There is no real one way or right way to do this, FBT's are amazing. I have 5 in a 20L filled 1/2 with water, I have a very simple filter, live plants and lighting, it depends on how elaborate you want to get

[Mentat]

For Fire-Bellied Toad - Bombina orientalis and relatives; a 20L will set you back around $40 unless you grab a deal on a nice used one or wait for the next $1 a gal. deal at Petco (happens couple times a year on all tanks to 55G). Will need a screen top (less than $20) and a source of lamp heat to create a 75-80F basking spot if room temps need it; so add another $30-40 for that. For the water an air pump/foam filter is probably the lowest cost at around $14 for both. Add sand for substrate, decor, etc. and you are easily North of $100. Think your target should be around $150.

Additional cost cutters are to use some items from hardware store like HD or Lowes. Lava Rock is a great substitute for clay aggregate balls, play sand (shifted through a dollar store cooking strainer) is way cheaper than CaribSea; etc. Getting fancier (i.e. adding a water fixture like waterfall or stream) will require more $$; but think if desired can be done and stay below $200.

For the set-up; a mixed land/water enclosure is recommended. Can get ideas on how to do the false bottom here: Frog Forum - Building Dart Frog Terrariums / Tropical Terrarium Construction and here http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...aludarium.html. There are more build-ups discussed in the vivarium section, including pics of FBTs enclosures. Good luck !

[badkelpie]

One thing I have noticed about my toads is that they aren't picky. I have had them in tanks that just have a few inches of water, rock "islands", some fake plants, and a filter. That's about as basic as you can get. Right now, I have them in a planted tank. I wanted live plants and "dirt" (cocoa fiber). They have a big bowl of water with a filter in it. (this one Tetra Whisper 10i Filter - Walmart.com), the water only has to be a couple inches deep, basically makes a waterfall.

They don't need elaborate or high cost setups, just clean water, something to sit on, a plant to hide behind, and a buddy or 4 .

[Markahsf]

I'm no expert and I just set up my first fbt tank. It's a 20 long also and it actually was really cheap.

I specialize in planted aquariums so I had plants already available. I got my 20 long for $20 during the dollar per gallon sale, made a false bottom with about $20 of materials from Lowes, sphagnum moss for $7, a screen top for $15,and the kicker, a $50 decorative reptofilter that I got discounted for half off because it didn't come with the cartridges. I easily could have gotten a cheaper filter but I couldn't pass that deal up.

My house usually stays at around 74 since I'm in California. Even now during the coldest days of the year it doesn't drop below 72 so I don't think I need a heat source but you might.

Anyways, I built this tank for about $100 and the only thing missing are the aquatic plants that I will collect from my aquariums and some "terrestrial" plants. Also, the frogs which are $7 each at petsmart that I will purchase soon.



Good luck.

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[MantisMan]

my firebellies have wide tolerance ranges for cage setups. I can have all water with plants and an island or all land with a water bowl, or halfway between. the least expensive option I find is a soil brick ($8 or so), a Tupperware from walmart for water bowl ($2-$4), a few fake plants or fake vine from AC moore (no more than $10), and spring water in gallon jugs ($.95 per jug), as well as a 40 watt bulb for light ($3), so total is about $30 for a decent setup