Whites Tree Frog Substrate?

[deranged chipmunk]

I love Gail's setup, but I couldn't not have real plants. Personal preference, obviously. I use dirt, essentially, covered in leaf litter. And half the floor space is 4 inches of water.

[kueluck]

I didn't think I would like it either since the others are all planted, but I really like this one, plus having the real driftwood helps. I just worry to much about them eating something they shouldn't since they are such aggresive eaters. Oh, and the "real tree" fabric helps also, that's the redneck in me I guess.

[Mentat]

I love Gail's setup, but I couldn't not have real plants. Personal preference, obviously. I use dirt, essentially, covered in leaf litter. And half the floor space is 4 inches of water.

Hi Bill! For Darts and Mantellas myself would go with a traditional vivarium set-up. However; for the larger tree frogs; think this is a good idea. And who says you can't add a nice central potted plant plant or couple epiphytes attached to a similar coco mat on the back or sides ?

[laurag99]

I think I'm going to go with Gail's idea because it seems like it would be the best for my frogs. Are the springtails really necessary? If so, can I just put them in the tank? Do they need food? Lastly, do whites tree frogs eat the springtails or are the springtails too small?

[Mentat]

I think I'm going to go with Gail's idea because it seems like it would be the best for my frogs. Are the springtails really necessary? If so, can I just put them in the tank? Do they need food? Lastly, do whites tree frogs eat the springtails or are the springtails too small?

Unless new borne froglets; springtails are too small for White's. They live off the organics including frog poop. I would add a colony once frogs are in. If not available locally; can order online from Josh Frogs or others .

[kueluck]

I tuck a little bug burger under the top mat for the spring tails since the three WTFs don't produce enough fecal to sustain the colony.

[laurag99]

Thanks for all the great answers everybody! What would happen if I didn't use spring tails though but still used the traditional layer setup with coco mat instead of coco fiber? Would it get moldy?

[Mentat]

Don't think will get moldy unless you let humidity get high; keep it between 50-65% and it should be OK. Think using the spring tails is a matter of clean up help for keeper .