Heat Cable

[jasonm96]

Heat Mats and heat cables on the side don't do much for an animal that is burrowed most of the time, as it won't really use them, as they are contact heat sources and do not really warm the ambient air temperature, unless placed underneath moist substrate which will then buffer some heat. Underneath it will provide usable heat but unless connected to a thermostat (probe under substrate on top of glass) it may burn the animal. Even if connected to a thermostat so the animal will not get burned. It will still be unnatural for the animal to burrow in order to heat up but will be more effective, though downward heat is more natural and so better. Also putting it behind a background will let no heat pass. Downward heat is better but in a terrarium that high and small it may be hard to supply the heat and or supply the right thermal gradient. Id always recommend a normal 10 gallon and put around a 40w heat lamp on top as well as a natural light lamp that produces UVA.

[RustySkullBones]

Alright, I have a light right now very low wattage that provides UVA and I use it just to stablish a day/night cycle. I will remove the heat cable and look into getting a 40w today at the store. I have a electronic gauge to monitor the temperature and humidity, I guess Ill mess around a little bit more to get the right humidity/ temperature combination. I didn't know much before I bought the terrarium or I would have gotten the lower 12 inch high model. I think ill spurge and get http://biopod.org/ when it releases in May. I just want Lunchbox happy until then. Well looking at the bipod its 18 inches tall, so might just snag me that 10 gallon lol.

[jasonm96]

You might need more than a 40w for that height but I wouldn't worry too much about humidity, as I've said many times, horned frogs (accept from cornutas) are not tropical and so do not need high humidity but 60% suits most frogs well but if you can't reach this patches of sphagnum moss will help. If you're looking into another tank id go for a 15 gallon at least because I think most adult horned frogs - although males might be fine in a 10 gallon - females will be better in 15-20 gals

[RustySkullBones]

Okay good deal I will use a quick remedy right now with a slightly higher wattage bulb. With it being so young I have read that large spaces such as a 15 gallon would stress it out? Should I stick with a smaller one and then once an adult upgrade it?

[jasonm96]

Yeah I'd consider at least 60w maybe more because it will take a lot of energy to reach the floor. Imo enlosure size won't stress the animal out providing you give it enough hides and cover so it won't feel out in the open but may effect its ability to catch prey before supplements wear off. So one way is to provide lots of cover and then tong feed or preferably raise in a smaller tank so it can catch its prey itself, if you're frog is really small. If you can establish the right temp gradient in the tank you have it would be ideal. If you can't, I'd highly recommend a large plastic tank and then putting the heat mat underneath, connecting it to a thermostat so the floor temperature (underneath the subtrate) measures around high 70s to low 80s, this will not burn the frog but will provide it enough heat. Many people will go against this but fact is at the beginning most horned frogs were probably raised like this and fared well, it is certainly better than having the mat on the side and not providing the right temps, which will cause many health problems. If you need any guidance, my bible with horned frogs is chacoan horned frogs by Philippe de Vosjoli

[RustySkullBones]

Okay, Ill buy that book as fast as I can. I'll look into all this and get it done today and tomorrow, LunchBox is good at tong feeding so that's no issue and its main prey right now is dusted night crawlers so not much to catching them. The majority of the tank is filled with spaces to hide, I lines the edges of the glass with small plants and eco earth and there are handing plants on the side to create a "cover". Its not nearly as small as when I first got it and seems pretty strong because it can lunge and jump better than I figured its chubby butt could do. I have just struggled with the heat the couple weeks I've had it.

[jasonm96]

Best thing any horned frog keeper can do, wish I found it sooner! Love Philippe's work. Sounds good, just make sure the nightcrawlers are no more than half the body. I'd start mine out on crickets and earthworms, guppies as well and then as subadult then super worms and night crawlers, small pink mice as well. I had the whole heating issue at the start as well but it's down to the conflicting and often bad information online, the key is to find a good breeder or book from a breeder and take guidance from them, as they have bred and raised loads of frogs to top condition