White's tree frog set up

[ChrissyBee]

I'm planning to set up a new vivarium for white's tree frogs (1-2) and having never kept this species before, I could use some advice

My plan is to convert my current hermit crab tank (the 20 gallon on top in this photo, fire bellied toad vivarium is below). I'm wondering about a few details.



First, heating. That tank currently has a large heat pad on one side and a ceramic heater above. With both of those running constantly and the room kept at a steady 21 C, the average temperature in the tank is around 27 C. Would it be best to keep both heaters? I wasn't sure about the heat pad and weather it is safe for a frog? I do have a thermostat that I can use to regulate its temperature. In the summer the room gets quite warm and I will be able to shut the heat pad off but right now keeping it warm can be a challenge.

Second, humidity. I am planning have a small pool, probably 1/3 to 1/2 the bottom of the tank, with the other side having a drainage medium covered in mesh and some ecoearth and moss which should stay consistently damp. With daily misting (by hand) should that keep the humidity in the right range? I could also install a small sponge filter or at least an air stone to maintain water movement.

In terms of other accessories I have ordered a couple of ledges to fix to the sides (a mushroom ledge and a planter ledge) and I'll be planting the tank (much like the one below). I was considering a waterfall or fogger but I hear both have their drawbacks. I am also thinking bark would make a nice background.

Thanks in advance for the tips. I'm going to move the hermit crab into his new terrarium tonight and get started on this project.

[kueluck]

First I would read over this Frog Forum - White's Tree Frog Care - Litoria caerulea , then plan everything out before you move forward. If you're working with a 20 gallon I wouldn't put more than one in the tank since they are a larger frog and need the space.

[ChrissyBee]

First I would read over this Frog Forum - White's Tree Frog Care - Litoria caerulea , then plan everything out before you move forward. If you're working with a 20 gallon I wouldn't put more than one in the tank since they are a larger frog and need the space.

Thanks

I have read it and printed it out, it's a great care sheet. I was debating getting one or two, I will probably stick to just one. Had I gotten two I would upgrade them as they matured but I think one will be fine (and probably all I can get my hands on).

I'm just starting this thread to get opinions on the specifics of my set up and hopefully post some photos as it develops. I'm planning to get it fully set up and the plants established before adding a frog, so there's plenty of time.

[kueluck]

Smart way to do it, getting everything ready before you bring the frog home. Here's how I have my 3 Whites Tree Frog's set up. It's the Exo Terra 36x18x36

[ChrissyBee]

Here's the preliminary set up (sorry about all the glare in the photos). I decided to go with a water dish rather than a pool. The substrate is ecoearth, covered in moss. Two potted plants in the back plus a few bits of pothos stuck in. I managed to fit an old exo terra background on the right side of the tank, the heat pad is on the left (still not sure if I need it?).

I have two ledges on order to give more climbing areas, and am also going to add some sort of a branch. I have a heavy duty screen top that I"m going to cover mostly with plastic wrap. I'll also add either a heat lamp or ceramic heater. For now I'll be misting daily by hand but plan to get a Moonsoon within a month or so.

Thoughts?

[kueluck]

IMO way to small for WTF, covering the top will prevent good ventilation and adding a ceramic heat on such a small tank will raise the temps to high. I don't think you'll need the monsoon since the tank is small enough that a mist in the am and pm should keep your humidity where it needs to be 50-60%. I would spend the money on a vertical conversion kit to give the viv more height, and get it with a screen door, you can always cut the screen if needed but if it's glass it's harder to control the humidity and temps. Moss can easily be consumed causing impaction which can/lead to death of the frog so remove that stuff. I know this sounds really critical, but what you have just wouldn't keep a WTF happy & healthy. How about some cricket frogs? They're small and entertaining, at least in the wild they are.

[ChrissyBee]

Ok thanks for the opinion. As for the size, it's a tall 20 gallon and going by the care sheet recommendations I had thought this was sufficient for a starter tank for one frog. I also chose the substrate based on the recommended care sheet (sphagnum and coconut) though I also had reservations about the moss given impaction risk. I guess there are plenty of different thoughts out there on the best way to keep this species hey?

I'm confident about controlling the humidity and temp in this enclosure as I have done the same for hermit crabs in there for years. I cover the top with plastic as needed to maintain humidity and adjust according the level, it usually doesn't take long to find the right balance (keep in mind this experimental process will be going on without frogs present during the set up phase). My reason for wanting to get a monsoon is that I travel with work sometimes and my pet sitter can feed my frogs and change water, but won't be here twice a day to do the misting so an automatic system would be needed. With the heat pad and ceramic emitter the temp is a steady 25 C, I didn't think that would be too warm? But one or the other could certainly go.

I am open to housing a different species in here. I do really want to try a dumpy as it's been on my 'wish list' for years, but not if I can't get the habitat right.

[Andrew exotics]

Hello chris personally i wouldn't go with the 20 high vert kit.I just got mine in the mail last week and it wasnt a good experience.He cut the class too big and not straight.It was really hard cutting my own piece of glass but now the viv is doing great.Next time im making my own conversion for my tanks,btw the vert kit costed me 40$ with shipping.Just go with an exo or zoo med 18x18x18 inch or a 18x18x24

[kueluck]

Sorry to hear about that Andrew. Me and my neighbor both have gotten the conversion kits (http://www.junglebox.net/category/VIV.html)and LOVE them.

[Mentat]

Hi Chrissy! Presently, aquariums are not the best enclosures for White's due to their inferior ventilation when compared to an ExoTerra. One of the latter in MediumTall (24x18x24) or LargeXTall (36x18x36) are much better to keep them in pairs or trios respectively for life. The advantages are cross ventilation, no need to remove top when servicing (and move lights, etc.), and increased volume. Issue with vertical conversions is that although they are fine for Darts and similar environment frogs; they do not work as efficient with tree frogs that bask (glass is now on top and in the way of heat) unless you rig around the heat source to front.

Myself used plastic wrap before on tops; but switched to aluminum foil and find it a better choice since it won't melt when close to heat sources .

[ChrissyBee]

Thanks for the tips. I have a small exo terra (would never put a frog in there, it's a mini!) and can see the advantages of that set up for sure. I'll have to go shopping

In terms of heating, what would you recommend? As I've said I keep the room itself at a comfortable temperature (21 C) but I live in a cold climate so I usually have to use other heat sources on my tanks. I currently have a large heat pad available, but for a white's would it be better to use a spot lamp or ceramic heat emitter?

[kueluck]

I use red and black bulbs 40 to 60 watt depending season. These are on 24/7 and gives a nice basking spot that runs 84-89 degrees (29.4 to 32.2 C)

[ChrissyBee]

Perfect, I was hoping something like that would work. I have a good thermostat for the heat pad, I may connect that so it will kick in if the temperature drops, but hopefully the lights will do it.

[Andrew exotics]

Sorry to hear about that Andrew. Me and my neighbor both have gotten the conversion kits (http://www.junglebox.net/category/VIV.html)and LOVE them.

Hey Gail what brand tank did you have?I had an aqueon that i got at the 1$ per gallon sale.Was this the wrong one?

[kueluck]

I don't know the brand, just picked them up at a yard sale. Standard 10, 20 and 30 gallon tanks.