First frog tank ever. Probably need help

[Colorblizzle]

I don't have any planters. I'm just going To do about a 3" bed of plantation soil and grow in that. I'm not going To plant real heavy. And if something needs deeper roots I may leave it in its planter/pot and just set that in the tank

[deranged chipmunk]

Lol problem with the theory of they are unsafe if the frogs eat them is that frogs don't eat plants lol all the species I mentioned are safe, will survive in moderate humidity and you should be able to purchase at a local garden center, be it a nursery, Home Depot, Walmart, ect.

[Colorblizzle]

Ok. I have a nursery about a block away that I honk stays open in the winter

[Colorblizzle]

My spelling is horrible, I'm sorry. I blame my phone lol.

But anyways I finished with the mossy background I have a few pics I took...







And lastly
I have a question, my kit came with a Zola brand 5.5" dome fixture and bulb. The bulb is 25UVB Is that needed? Because the dome doesn't really fit in too if he tank with the other light and I don't wanna clamp it. My strip light is also 25UVB. So what's the scoop? Here's a pic of the clamp/dome

[deranged chipmunk]

Looks good so far! No, you don't have to use the dome. You can use your strip instead.

[deranged chipmunk]

Unless, of course, you need it to heat the tank.

[Colorblizzle]

Well I'm not planning on heating the tank. At least unless I need to. The ambient temp of my house is about 70...too low? I have the heat pad that I suppose I could attach to the back??

[Colorblizzle]

I have decided maybe I'll try the dome for a heat lamp during the day. Will the 25UVB put out enough heat if used on the clamp above the tank? If not I'll buy a heat bulb not a problem.

But with the screen on the top of the tank how will I mount the dome??

[Colorblizzle]

Still not sure how to mount the dome to the too of the tank with the screen lid on. But I have a new set of problems

Today I put the substrate in the tank and the filter, not entirely happy with the way everything looks froma. Design standpoint but is is my first try and only needs to please my 3 year old mans 6 year old. And they love it. Anyways on to the problem. The filter isn't working. I mean it powers on and everything but no flow. I opened it and filled it with water. Filled the tank about 3" full and waited. Half hour later nothing coming out of the filter still. Any ideas? My only thoughts are that the water is t able to deep through the weedblocker. Too dense? So I'm thinking of pokin holes in it randomly with a nail. Thoughts?

I haven't taken the filter out to see if there is water on that side if the false bottom but another design flaw was that it's almost impossible to get the filter out :-/ once time for maintenance comes around I'll fight that battle...

[deranged chipmunk]

Can you take a pic? It sounds like there's either no flow to the filter or it is clogged with substrate.

[Colorblizzle]

I'm at work right now. I'll take a pic and post it in the morning. But I silicones everything in place, there is no substrate or moss or gravel whatsoever under the false bottom. There is however gravel banked up against the false bottom in the water section to try to hide the weedblocker/eggcrate. Could hat be impeding it? I would assume water could flow through those just fine

[Mentat]

For the filter to work; the water level has to be as deep as it's required minimum depth. Myself would remove from tank and place in a container that has the required depth and plug it in. If it works; need to see what is wrong in tank set-up. If it doesn't work within a minute; then either troubleshoot according to instructions or return to store .

[Colorblizzle]

Didn't know it has a required depth. Hopefully it doesn't need more than 3" cuz that just won't work...

[DigitalPunk]

I got one of these to hold my lamp i didn't want to clamp onto the top of the terrarium http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My lamp had a clamp on it that I just hung from this thing.

Depending on the filter it will need between 2 and 4 inches of water. It could be that it just want getting enough water flow to it to work properly.

[Colorblizzle]

Deranged chipmunk said that he has used this type of filter before tho with the weedblocker. I think my best bet is going to be poking small holes in the mesh. No fish in the water or anything so it shouldn't pose a problem.

I am however contemplation getting a small betta or killifish for the water. Would the frogs ultimately try to eat them?

[Colorblizzle]

Just looked at the description on the site I bought it, it doesn't mention anything about a minimum depth. I know it sucks water from the bottom

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...p;pcatid=23458

[Mentat]

That filter is designed for aquariums and might require to be submerged. Did you tried the test described in my previous post? If it does not work with 3 in.; then add more water to container until filter is covered and see if it starts working. If it does, then that model filter won't work for your tank's 3 in. water depth. If it doesn't start; then filter might be broken.

[Colorblizzle]

I will try to test it later today

[deranged chipmunk]

Yes, that filter needs to be completely submerged. I lay them on their side under the false bottom. I had one in the mantella tank and have another in the steam punk tank.

[deranged chipmunk]

It won't work like a reptofilter, the top is the pump whereas in a reptofilter, the pump in on the bottom.