Getting Northern Tree Froggies Soon, Help?

[pillipala]

Ok, so I'm going to apply for my license soon so I can keep some frogs. I know a good pet store that specializes in reptiles and they are selling Northern hatchlings (basically, 5 month old frogs) for $25 Aussie.
I am thinking of getting three (my brother and sister want a frog each too!). I was wondering if a 18" x 18" x 24" would be suitable (24 is the height, by the way).
I was also wondering what floor covering you think best. Is gravel good or should I go for larger stones such as pebbles or rocks???

And also, will I be able to tell three frogs apart?
I am just wondering because when we name them, how will we know which is which? Does each frog have pretty specific markings???

I would also love any advice on food. Our local pet store sells live crickets and other bugs but if they are just in a plastic container, how long will they stay alive for. I know frogs prefer live food but won't the crickets die after a day or so???

So many questions, I know. I just want things to be perfect before I get my froggy friends because I don't want them to die.

Any help would be highly appreciated!

__Maya__

[Kurt]

I think the size enclosure you are talking about may be a little tight for three frogs. Do NOT use gravel for a substrate! Accidental ingestion of gravel can lead to bowel impaction, which in turn leads to death. Better substrates are sphagnum moss, ground coconut shell (eco-earth), and white paper towels. These are much safer. Never use gravel for any reptile or amphibian unless the animal is totally aquatic.
Sometimes White's/northern green treefrogs have markings that can be used to identify an individual. You may get lucky and get three that all have some sort of personal markings that sets it apart from the others. My two are like that, one has white spots on its side, while the other does not.
I keep crickets on a substrate of Guinea pig pellets and I offer them sliced oranges and sometimes carrots. This provides them with food and moisture, while at the same time it provides more nutrition to your frogs. The frogs will end up eating what the crickets ate. I keep my crickets in a short trash bin, as I buy them by the thousands. You can use a smaller enclosure. Remember to keep what ever bin you use covered as they can jump. Also do not let it get to humid in your cricket bin or they will die off on you.

[pillipala]

ok thanks for the help.
so moss and larger river rocks would be ok?
I'm still not sure whether we are getting two or three frogs yet.
It is yet to be decided.
My older sister may or may not be getting one.

I will look around for the best size vivarium i can, i don't want my frogs to be squashed.

And as for the cricket info, thanks very much.
I probably won't be buying thousands of the things but i have a fairly large unused aquarium with a good lid. That would probably do.

thanks for your help

__Maya__

[Kurt]

Moss and river rocks would be ok, as long as the rocks aren't not small enough to be swallowed.

[tattooed81]

I`m getting two Saturday. I found them for $20. I`m going to get 2 of them.

[pillipala]

cool, $20 is good.

I was pretty happy when i found $25 frogs though because in one of the other shops i went to, they were $85!

by the way, Tatooed 81, what is that animal in your avatar? it's so cute!

[tattooed81]

It is a leopard gecko

[pillipala]

oh ok, it's adorable!
haha
looks like it is smiling