180gal of creativity...

[kermitlover1989]

I have an empty 180gal aquarium just sitting around collecting dust so I've decided to have some fun with t. My preliminary ideas are to create a American Green Tree Frog paludarium seeing as I'm very new to frog keeping. As a kid I had 1 or 2 baby frogs that only lasted as long as my mom didn't find them lol. The tank dimensions are 72"(L)x19.5"(H)x22.5"(W). My first questiin is how many frogs can be comfortable without overcrowding? I was thinking no more then 4 would feel quite at home in such a large space. Also I've been having a hard time trying to puzzle out the plumbing and filtration of the water area as I'd like to keep guppies or white clouds with the frogs as possible feeders. I also have a soon to be empty 10gal aquarium that currently just has mangrove shoots that I plan to transfer to the paludarium. So it too will be just sitting with no contributions. My idea is to possibly use the 10 gal for feeder colonies of crickets or fruit flies. Suggestion are greatly appreciated as well as any advice for a new herp/amphibian enthusiast.

[Mentat]

Hello and welcome to FF! You might want to read this article before deciding on a frog species: Frog Forum - Choosing a Frog. Most tree frogs require a taller than longer set-up; however since AGTFs are a smaller tree frog species you might get away with it. Your tank's height will lose a few inches once you build a false bottom and add on top a few inches of substrate. Also, the tree frogs might ignore fish in the water section. My recommendation is to visit the vivarium section and read the different builds in there. The care article section has some vivarium articles too.

Depending on species; mangrove trees could require salt or brackish water, which is a bad idea with frogs. Also; they are trees and will grow past your tanks available height.

You can use the 10 gallon to house feeder crickets or roaches; but it would make a very poor choice for FFs. The article section has one that discusses feeder rearing too. If building a paludarium, think that tank could work well with Leopard frogs or similar semi-aquatic species. Another option would be to keep any of the Reed frog species. Good luck !

[kermitlover1989]

Thanks for your honest answer! I'll be sure to check out that article. It will probably be a few weeks before I start any construction on the tank as I do want to be absolutely sure that the form is functional for whichever species I decide to keep. I really love the; look of Dart frogs but I know I am not experienced enough for those yet nor do I have the budget for those species. Price point is also part of the reason I chose the AGTF. The local petstore s have them for under $10 each which is perfect for my budget. But again I will definitely keep researching to make sure I choose the right species.

[deranged chipmunk]

I'm digging Carlos' response. He makes an excellent point about the height issue, but, like he said, it's still doable.

He is spot on with the mangroves. Brackish water trees is what they are and will outgrow any vivarium very quickly with the right conditions. Now, if you were doing an open top fiddler crab tank? Then mangroves would be killer, growing up and out of the tank.

As far as designing a huge tank for green tree frogs? Think Everglades. yeah, I know they range all over the southeast, but a swamp paludarium would be so cool!! Lol

Leopard frogs are really inexpensive. My local lfs has one adult for $4.99.

Here's another option, fire bellied toads. Inexpensive, semi aquatic, so they would love a paludarium. They are more active than green tree frogs. And if you get males, their call is more like a bark. They are pretty cool.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[kermitlover1989]

I agree that his comment was great and I really appreciate all the input. The mangroves I have are the red variety which can grow OK in freshwater just very slowly. And as far as them outgrowing the paludarium I'm OK with that BC I plan on moving them to a more suitable environment once they aren't able to be easily contained. However, I am very open to changing that plan because I would love to incorporate a few bromeliads as well. I am aware that dart frogs in particular ve bromeliads but again I lack the experience and the funds necessary for that particular group of amphibians. I've narrowed down my list of possible inhabitants significantly from what I originally wanted which was very outlandish hence I didn't post that stock list here. My possible inhabitants are as follows depending on their relative cost and availability in my area: 1) still remains the American green tree frog, 2) the second choice is the red eye tree frog as its gorgeous and still relatively within my budget, 3) last for me is fire bellied toads my reason being that I'm just not very fond of the fire bellies for some reason. I truly don't know why I've had them many many many years ago when I was very young about 4 and I just don't know why i m less partial to them. With all of the info you all have given me I may be chanig the layout of the paludarium

[kermitlover1989]

After doing further research I have decided on a species that fits within my budget and is pretty cool to look at too. For starters the species I'd like to go with will be the Hyperolius puncticulatus. The water level and water area will have to be redesigned and the mangroves are nixed as far as being incorporated into the paludarium. I do hope that I can one day also have another enclosure for a few epipedobates tricolor but one critter at a time lol! I can't wait to get started thanks again for the advice on researching it definitely paid off.

[deranged chipmunk]

Nice choice. Are they available? I haven't seen them for sale recently.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[kermitlover1989]

I did find an online company that has some available for the moment however there's no telling how long they will be available. Right now backwaterreptiles.com has them.

[deranged chipmunk]

Hmmm......check the testimonials section about backwater. I'm not 100% sure, but I thought they had a less than good reputation.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[kermitlover1989]

Will do I'll go check it out now