No it doesn't have to come out and it can be a hassle. More so because you have to disturb the tank to do it than anything. When I remove mine I use a pair of side cutters and cut off sections of it so I don't have to move the object it is wrapped around to much to remove it all. I mostly remove it to get the potentially sharp wire out of the tank and get it to a more natural environment, but you can absolutely leave it in.


But yes. Whatever works. If you have gaps then you can press them down to the wood. Gaps are fine, your frog will not try to wedge itself between the wire and the wood.