Decorations for fire belly toads?

[Sha123]

hi , Can i use rocks and tree branches from around my house to place in my fire belly toad tank ? and also if i can would you be able to tell me how to treat it ? do i boil it or do something special so its safe for my frogs? thank you

[Sha123]

anyone? your help would be appreciated

[deranged chipmunk]

Rocks you can boil. Branches as well, but they have to be hardwoods (oak, birch, maple, ect) absolutely no pine, no softwoods and no cedar (juniper). They should be boiled for 30 minutes minimum. If they are too large to boil, then you can bake them at 250 for an hour or so. I have also been known to BBQ branches that are too big for my oven, but I don't really recommend doing that. Make sure you rinse anything that you are going to prepare thoroughly before boiling. The air quality in your home will thank you for that lol


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

[LilyPad]

I have also been known to BBQ branches that are too big for my oven, but I don't really recommend doing that.

"Hey there Bill, watcha cookin?" "Eh, nothing much, just this branch here." LMAO

I baked the branches for my vivs, they are oak. The house smelled awesome.

[deranged chipmunk]

I did actually have a passerby ask me what in the world (edited for forum version) I was doing? Told him I needed more fiber in my diet. And nothing adds fiber like a roasted log lol


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

[Sha123]

hey thanks for the help i did just what you guys said as far as the rocks and tree branch, ok so i have another quick question, when i set up the tank i put down jungle mix and i didnt put anything to block it from when the water touched it so now i have dirty tank water but the water itself is clean just looks a little muddy and dark, question is will that affect the water quality? and will that affect the fire belly toads? i didnt cap the dirt and i dont know if im planning on capping it either so for the meanwhile will it be alright for my frogs to live, that wont shorten thier life span or affect the health will it? thank again in advance

[deranged chipmunk]

The jungle mix "may" soften the water up a bit (lower the pH) because of the peat moss, but it won't lower it to dangerous levels. I would however, suggest capping it with leaf litter. It will help hold humidity, help keep the frogs from tracking more soil into the water and would also prevent them from accidentally ingesting a piece of fir bark that is mixed in.


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

[Sha123]

yea i capped it with terrarium moss, it says on the box it holds humidity, still tho the water is somewhat dark, so it would be alright and safe for the frogs right? my main concern is their health, also how often do you guys feed a juvenile fbt and how many crickets per frog? i was told 2 times a week 5 crickets each frog (3 frogs)

[deranged chipmunk]

Which kind of moss? That stuff sold as forest moss tends to get pretty nasty after a while and the frogs could accidentally ingest it, which would be bad. Live moss on the other hand is excellent for them.

I can't really answer the question about feeding. That would be a good question to post in the fbt forum. Although, I am sure it's been asked numerous times, so a quick look through that forum my find your answer


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

[Sha123]

yeah i "terrarium moss" came in a box at my lfs, so is that the kind your referring to when you said stay away from it? and if i get live moss is their a specific moss the frogs would prefer?