New PACMAN owner - few questions

[LJ]

I wouldn't put an UTH over a background, like you said, no direct contact, so it won't provide heat. I'm also leery about a fire hazard.

Instead, I have my UTH on the side instead of the back, so you really don't notice it. It works best when you pile up the substrate against it, otherwise it doesn't really do anything for ambient temperature, but because pacs burrow, they'll use that spot when they want to.

What kind of moss are you looking for? Like to grow in a vivarium or just something for decor? I am a big online shopper and have some live moss and lichen for a viv from ebay, very cheep. I would get a pet-specific brand from PetSmart, Amazon, or LLLReptile.com if you just want decor, and not from Wal-Mart or a craft store (dyes).

Well, I was reading moss can do a lot for humidity. Since I'm a rookie, I'm looking for all the little tricks I can get to make it as comfortable for him as possible. One mistake I made, that I wish I wouldn't have is I purchased my frog on a whim. I was piranha keeper for a long time and made the same mistake. But, they made it through and actually grew to thrive, but it made the first week a bit stressful on me and I'm sure the fish. Well, apparently I didn't learn my lesson since here I am..

[WorldClassFrogCoddler]

One mistake I made, that I wish I wouldn't have is I purchased my frog on a whim.

I did the same damn thing.. It's too late for us to take it back now, so all we can do is give the frog the best care possible to make up for it. And not let ourselves do it again. Don't feel too bad though, we all make mistakes bud.

Anyway you're here learning to give your new frog good care, so the frog is gonna have a good life and you'll have a cool pet for years.

[LJ]

I did the same damn thing.. It's too late for us to take it back now, so all we can do is give the frog the best care possible to make up for it. And not let ourselves do it again. Don't feel too bad though, we all make mistakes bud.

Anyway you're here learning to give your new frog good care, so the frog is gonna have a good life and you'll have a cool pet for years.

Yup, doing the best I can. Live and learn. Thanks much.

[cjbage]

My understanding about moss is you have to be very careful with it as it is an impaction risk for these guys.. they are not the most coordinated, delicate eaters. As far as temperature goes, mine was all over the place when I was using a lamp, so I took advice from more knowledgeable people and bought a Ceramic Heating Emitter and a Fluker's clamp lamp ( double check for wattage limits ) and hooked it up on a Zoo med hygrotherm controller.. now my heat is steady both during the day and has a nighttime drop that is steady as well. That controller also is helping with my humidity issues.

I am going to be starting to try and tong feed him again soon now that I have the most important issues sorted out so I can get him eating something better for him then crickets.

[plasticfaye]

Well, I was reading moss can do a lot for humidity.

Oh, right. Sorry, you said that in your original post and I skimmed over it. Yes, live plants and moss help stabilize ambient humidity, but pacs are not as sensitive as other amphibians and a decent depth of EcoEarth will be plenty sufficient to provide him with a humid retreat. The top layer will dry out daily and need re-wetting, but below 1.5 - 2 inches, it will retain a LOT of moisture. A glass or Plexiglas top (or half-top) will help too. You can sheets of either cut to size at Lowes and Home Depot.

One of his tactics is spinning in place like a tank turret. He will spin all the way around away from the food or tongs. My arm was getting tired easily trying to keep up with him so I had to change tactics.

Lol, yup. I've seen mine try the same.

[LJ]

I also went and bought a 10g tank thinking I was doing the Pacman a favor. But, it seems like these guys prefer their living space to be smaller when they're babies (mine is about the size of a quarter). Thoughts on that?

Do you guys think putting him in a smaller enclosure with a UTH pad on the side with a water dish and a tad of cover would be better for him for a few months?

[cjbage]

I have mine inside a medium size critter keeper put inside of the 10gal I have, and 3 sides of the large tank are covered, seems to help cut down on stress and makes it easier to feed the if you do so inside their enclosure, the keeper will make a good isolation tank or holder while I clean out the large tank when the time comes so not a waste. I use a CHE on a clamp lamp that at the moment sits on the 10gallons screen cover and hidden led lights on the inside for day/night lights w/o added heat and my jerry-rigged fogger tube fits through the corner opening on the screen cover.. anyway that works for me. He has a shallow soaking dish and a fake silk plant and seems happy.

[LJ]

Hey just wanted to give you guys an update since you were so helpful today!

I got off of work and went to my pet store and picked up a few things. One was a smaller enclosure, UTH pad (mounted on the side), ceramic heating bulb, some frog moss, a few more things for him to hide under, crickets and some feeding tongs. Good news and bad news though..

I'll start with the bad news. I couldn't regulate my small enclosure I purchased to make me comfortable enough with placing him in there. Hes already had a pretty big couple of hours so I left him in his original 10g enclosure.

Good News. I manage to feed him 4 crickets with the tongs and he seemed rather lively then.

I'm still experimenting with the temperature systems to get the ideal settings. I think I'm going to purchase a higher wattage tomorrow since it seems to hover around a good night time temperature in there right now with the 50w. I'm thinking of labeling the two switches and turning the higher wattage on during the day and the lower at night to regulate the temperatures that are ideal for them during those periods.

Again, thanks for all the help. I'll be sure to post some pictures soon enough..

[cjbage]

For heating I only use the Ceramic heat bulb and it is on a Zoo med Hygrotherm controller, that controller is a bit on the expensive side, but it is so very worth it, keeps the temps well within range and if you ever go with an automatic fogger for humidity whether by a purchased brand or a jerry-rigged one like some of us has done it can keep the humidity within range. I had so so many issues with temp before getting that one device it was so unbelievable, now I just check it as I go past and it is always right on.

What I have done is have him inside the small enclosure then put that inside the large tank, you still regulate it for the large tank that way.

[LJ]

For heating I only use the Ceramic heat bulb and it is on a Zoo med Hygrotherm controller, that controller is a bit on the expensive side, but it is so very worth it, keeps the temps well within range and if you ever go with an automatic fogger for humidity whether by a purchased brand or a jerry-rigged one like some of us has done it can keep the humidity within range. I had so so many issues with temp before getting that one device it was so unbelievable, now I just check it as I go past and it is always right on.

What I have done is have him inside the small enclosure then put that inside the large tank, you still regulate it for the large tank that way.

Yeah, I remembering you saying that. Thats a pretty good idea..

None the less, its a good sign that hes eating at least right? Or am I overly excited about that? I just assumed since he was eating hes not in bad of shape.

[seks]

For heating I only use the Ceramic heat bulb and it is on a Zoo med Hygrotherm controller,

Wouldn't the constant ON/OFF action significantly decreases the life of the ceramic heat bulb?