Thoughts on current FBT tank build

[monster]

Hello, I would have to agree with the above posts that you want more land then water. I just recently rehomed my 4 FBT but when I had them they spent 80% of the time in the water, even when eating I find they will catch the item and then bring back to the water to eat. Another suggestions if you want something that you can just remove and clean for a water area is a nice big paint tray that you would use with a roller. It would take up at least half that tank and its even already sloped for change in water depth. And you could bury it right up to the edge so it doesn't look out of place because the tray would be submerged in the bedding. I got the idea from one of the moderators that used to use them with her tree frogs. But I would have to agree that the sloped gravel with some substrate of your choice on top is the best option and looks the most natural. And remember that when looking for lights and heating that these guys don't like it to hot, I kept my guys at 75F during the day with a little basking area right under the light of about 78F. Then at night I would let it drop a few degrees.

[Cliygh and Mia 2]

It looks okay, but not for a semi-aquatic species unless you plan on brumating it. I suggest a half and half tank with 25%-35% land and the rest water. I'd also use sand for the water section, as it can grow aquatic plants, which will help the frogs environment wise, and décor wise. Next step is to try to fashion yourself a tank divider, such as a log or some pexi-glass or something safe for frogs. (Large rocks with no water able to go underneath them would work, as would large pieces of décor) For the land section, use coconut husk or something similar, and "decorate" it with live plants, fake plants, and hides. This will help them camouflage themselves so they won't get stressed. UVB would probably be beneficial as well, so they can make their own calcium and other important vitamins, and I believe it helps them to keep their colors, as well as helping the plants you have stay alive. This isn't necessary, but I'd put a feeding dish in their tank so they know where the food comes from (So you could feed them new foods easier) and to make sure they don't eat any substrate when they lunge at something. Some great foods include whole or chopped Canadian night-crawlers, (Worms, you can get these at Walmart and fishing stores, they are fairly big and lobed, not red like the compost worm or red wiggler) Dubia roaches, (A good staple, use these, crickets/locusts, and worms for the best and healthiest animals) and crickets/locusts. (With these, either supply UVB for the animals, dust them with a multivitamin, or gut-load them, which means feed the crickets foods that will be healthy for the frog) Other foods like meal-worms, super-worms, wax-worms, feeder fish, and insects you found outside should be avoided for several reasons. The ones you find outside may either directly harm the frog if it gets away, (Like a spider or scorpion) or have pesticides or parasites already in it which could harm your pet. Feeder fish present a similar problem, they are full of parasites, as well as being high in fat and hard to digest properly. Wax-worms are good for rehabilitating a sick, injured, skinny, or a captive that is not feeding, because they are extremely high in fat as well. Super-worms and meal-worms are hard to digest, and may burrow and come out as a beetle, (Not really bad for the frogs, if any survive you could start a culture of them) and are even harder to digest that way. Here's some care-sheets to help you out: http://www.frogforum.net/content.php...-and-relatives http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Frog...-Bellied-Toad/ http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Frog...-Bellied-Toad/ http://www.theamphibian.co.uk/fire-b..._caresheet.htm And thanks for diving into the world of reptiles and amphibians, it's a very rewarding hobby, buying your first couple animals

[blacknova84]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I'm going to the upgrade to the tank now instead of later. Tomorrow I'm going to get out all the substrate, and soil I have in the container and get it ready for a semi aquatic. Looks like Thursday's shopping list just got bigger and more expensive lol.

[blacknova84]

I'm going to finish the tank update tomorrow once I get the rest of the stuff. I'm picking up a reptifilter, some aquarium river rock gravel, 3 hides, and some reptile substrate. The left side will be filled in with gravel and have the substrate added on top of it so no empty spaces will be left, and will have the hides, and the plants I had in it will be re-added.Since Fire-bellied toads live along river banks and thanks to your suggestions I decided to do a rive bank theme. I found rocks that passed the vinegar test, and then sterilized them with boiling water. I think this is going to look fantastic ! Thoughts ?

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...psxdbkxiba.jpg

[blacknova84]

Final build.
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/...pscjaaygxo.jpg

Might add another plant in the front left corner. I picked up a new background, 3 hides (only 2 fit) gravel, the filter a screen lid, and a hydrometer/thermometer combo. Thanks again for all the help everyone !

[jasonm96]

Looks good!! Tip: put some sphagnum moss on top of the soil so they don't track the coir into the water. Don't use green moss though, just high quality sphagnum.

[monster]

Would have to agree looks good. One more little tip, if those are small white stones on that flat rock and in the wood hut I would take it out. If you end up feeding them on there they could possibly eat one. Sometimes they will over or under shoot there food when trying to catch it or the cricket moves and he ends up getting the little stone. I had it happen once and luckily I was right there to catch the little bugger and pop it out before he swallowed it, he looked like he had a mouth full of pearly white teeth and he was smiling. I know you see a lot of setups were they use these little stones but IMO its just not worth the risk.