Switching to a bigger tank, well or city water? Reducing the stress of the change?

[CJP32]

Hello all, I'm new here and pretty new to frogs.

Right now I have 4 juvenile ACF in a 10 gallon tank with a small bio wheel hob filter and a sponge filter. I just picked up a 55L and it's sitting in my living room waiting to be setup. I have a Aqua-tec 30-60 hob and a Fluval 306, lid, stand, but no heater. My plan is to use playsand as substrate with some of the river rock from their current tank. I will also move the plants to the new tank and maybe add a few new ones. I also plan to move the sponge filter with the frogs to help prevent cycling.

My questions are should I continue to use my well water? The water is pretty good quality but we do have rust stains so I worry about iron content, I understand it can be toxic to frogs. If it's ok to use my well water is softened or unsoftened better? I can get filtered city water but it's obviously a little more difficult. I'm willing to do whatever is best for the ACFs.

Second question, is just for any advice on making the switch as low stress as possible for them. I've heard it's not good to net them so I plan to trap them in a small container for the actual transition. Any help on setting up the new tank and making it easier on the little guys would be great.

Thanks in advance!

[rodsboys]

I'd say use whatever you are already using. If you are using a good water conditioner, most of them detoxify metals as well as remove chlorine/chloramine.
As far as capture, I always catch my frogs by hand.Put them directly into wherever hey are gong,they do not tolerate being held for long.

[celticstarb]

Well water can be unpredictable at times. The high iron content worries me. But, I saw the pics you posted of your frogs, and they are beautiful and look very healthy.

I suggest setting up the new tank with the water source they are currently in. Then as you do partial water changes, slowly change them over to city water. With either source, as Tony says, use a GOOD water conditioner, such as AmQuel.

As far a using sand, that is a personal choice. Myself, I don't like sand since it it very hard to clean and you frogs will ingest it eventually. It will also get into your filters and destroy your impellers. I use either bare bottom tanks (with the bottoms painted) or large river rocks (like you are already using). Again, that's just my personal opinion.

One last suggestion, move your existing filters (especially the sponge filter) over to the new tank to help speed up the cycling process.

[Mentat]

Agree with Tony to continue using the well water with a dechlorinator that neutralizes metals like Seachem Prime. Filtered city water might be OK; but if over filtered and similar to R/O or distilled, it might do more harm than good.

For the transfer, would just check pH and temperature is the same. Then capture the frogs in a small plastic container or plastic bag (use a net to guide frog in) and use that to move to new tank. Good luck !

[mpmistr]

Agree with Tony to continue using the well water with a dechlorinator that neutralizes metals like Seachem Prime. Filtered city water might be OK; but if over filtered and similar to R/O or distilled, it might do more harm than good.

For the transfer, would just check pH and temperature is the same. Then capture the frogs in a small plastic container or plastic bag (use a net to guide frog in) and use that to move to new tank. Good luck !

I can attest that for capturing ACF, especially if you are a clutz like me.. It's best to just guide them in to a rubbermaid pitcher or something similar.

They are really hard to pick up by hand, they are very slimy, and they totally freak out outside of water. The last time I tried to pick one up by hand he got away from me and started to belly flop across my living room.. use a plastic container of some sort like Carlos advises lol..

[CJP32]

Thanks for the advice, once I get them moved and settled I'll post some new pics. These guys really need some more space.

[tgampper]

They are really hard to pick up by hand, they are very slimy, and they totally freak out outside of water. The last time I tried to pick one up by hand he got away from me and started to belly flop across my living room.. use a plastic container of some sort like Carlos advises lol..

Noodling is a no-no I have caught ACFs by hand but now use the recommended plastic container covered with a fish net to prevent escapes while transporting.