Fire-Bellied Toads, Am I doing it right?

[ericbrookey]

quick question...are you treating their tap water with any conditioner like Prime to remove chlorine?

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[Marinecrab]

quick question...are you treating their tap water with any conditioner like Prime to remove chlorine?

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No, its not tap water, its filtered bottled water.

[ericbrookey]

Personally, I would stay clear of distilled water in the long term. When tap water is properly dechlored, it is actually much better for their soaking because it still contains trace elements that they absorb through the skin and are beneficial. Distilled and purified water has had all of that removed and can actually be a detriment to frogs that like to soak as it deprives them of the naturally occurring minerals. Either leave it out and open for a couple days or treat with Prime.

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[Marinecrab]

Personally, I would stay clear of distilled water in the long term. When tap water is properly dechlored, it is actually much better for their soaking because it still contains trace elements that they absorb through the skin and are beneficial. Distilled and purified water has had all of that removed and can actually be a detriment to frogs that like to soak as it deprives them of the naturally occurring minerals. Either leave it out and open for a couple days or treat with Prime.

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I will keep this in mind when I move them to their 40 gallon.

[ericbrookey]

Couple other things you will want to purchase. A digital hygrometer to measure temp and humidity, the manual ones are highly inaccurate, a temp probe for the water and make sure the cage has a secure screen top as they are notorious escape artists. With this type of setup it's not necessary to mist to keep the humidity up. I do for my plants but only every so often. Humidity should be easily maintained at 60-70% which is fine for them. If you use a glass top the humidity will range much higher and you will constantly have condensation on the glass.

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[monster]

Couple other things you will want to purchase. A digital hygrometer to measure temp and humidity, the manual ones are highly inaccurate, a temp probe for the water and make sure the cage has a secure screen top as they are notorious escape artists. With this type of setup it's not necessary to mist to keep the humidity up. I do for my plants but only every so often. Humidity should be easily maintained at 60-70% which is fine for them. If you use a glass top the humidity will range much higher and you will constantly have condensation on the glass.

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I would have to agree that these little guys are great at escaping. When I first got mine a few years ago I didn't have the right size lid so I had to use one that was bigger then the tank for abit so there was a small gap in the back. Didn't think anything of it till I went to check on them one morning and 2 of the 4 were missing, one was in a plastic grocery bag and I found him because I heard him trying to get out of it. While putting him back the other little bugger came hoping into the frog room and he had so much dog fur on him he looked like a living dust bunny. L.O.L Gave him a nice bath and a good cleaning and back he went, and I own a Siberian husky so you can just imagine how much fur he had on him. I vacuum everyday and still have a hard time keeping up with the constant shedding. And ya sorry for not staying on topic. Cheers and I hope everything ends up working out for you.

[Marinecrab]

Couple other things you will want to purchase. A digital hygrometer to measure temp and humidity, the manual ones are highly inaccurate, a temp probe for the water and make sure the cage has a secure screen top as they are notorious escape artists. With this type of setup it's not necessary to mist to keep the humidity up. I do for my plants but only every so often. Humidity should be easily maintained at 60-70% which is fine for them. If you use a glass top the humidity will range much higher and you will constantly have condensation on the glass.

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Thank you, I noticed this with the manual gages that came with my setup, I will look for one at the store, if not found I will order online.

Goodnight all, I will post an update around 12 tommorow with what i've bought from the store.

[jasonm96]

Haha yes sorry! Here's a pic of my set up for ideas, thrown together and easy to do upload image

[Marinecrab]

Hello all! Here is an update on my frogs!

I intend on cleaning the water right after I set up my shopping list. Today is feeding day and I will most likely be moving them to a special feeding tub to make sure they eat.

[jasonm96]

If you put it on the land part they'll take them into the water to eat in no tine

[ericbrookey]

I would lower the water level an inch during this interim period. Drop the cricks on both land pieces and they will find them. They will even eat them from the water if they spy movement.

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[Marinecrab]

I would lower the water level an inch during this interim period. Drop the cricks on both land pieces and they will find them. They will even eat them from the water if they spy movement.

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They ate 4 out of the six crickets I put out. I have just ordered most of the supplies that you guys have suggested.

[Marinecrab]

Hey guys, something really worrying has been happening.

I've noticed they aren't as active as they were when they were in the first setup I had, and aren't really moving around as much AT ALL. I took them out and they barely responded to my fingers being near them.
Are they okay? The hang out the most around the land portion as of now.

[privet01]

When my FBT's spend more time on land, then I know my water quality is getting bad. Particularly the ammonia levels in the water. Never had them act sluggish though.

If you suspect the water quality, you might get one of those aquarium water test kits and check it.

My recommendation for water is bottled spring water. I use distilled because it's a little cheaper, but I have a large area of natural gravel that I believe replaces the minerals that distilled water does not have. I wouldn't use distilled in a viv that doesn't have something to replace the lost minerals.

If you use tap water, be sure to let it sit a couple days so it can de-chlorinate itself. Again I'd recommend you test it too before using as many municipal water supplies are very alkaline/high pH. I don't adjust my water with chemicals either. I just replace it.

[Marinecrab]

When my FBT's spend more time on land, then I know my water quality is getting bad. Particularly the ammonia levels in the water. Never had them act sluggish though.

If you suspect the water quality, you might get one of those aquarium water test kits and check it.

My recommendation for water is bottled spring water. I use distilled because it's a little cheaper, but I have a large area of natural gravel that I believe replaces the minerals that distilled water does not have. I wouldn't use distilled in a viv that doesn't have something to replace the lost minerals.

If you use tap water, be sure to let it sit a couple days so it can de-chlorinate itself. Again I'd recommend you test it too before using as many municipal water supplies are very alkaline/high pH. I don't adjust my water with chemicals either. I just replace it.

I'm going to change the water right now and use spring water.

[ericbrookey]

They are probably just stressed and also just ate. You have moved them into 3 completely different environments in a short time period. Handling them stresses them out, IMO. You should do it as little as possible.

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[Marinecrab]

They are probably just stressed and also just ate. You have moved them into 3 completely different environments in a short time period. Handling them stresses them out, IMO. You should do it as little as possible.

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I don't handle them unless I have too. I changed the water and they seem to be much more happier, I'm glad my shipment is coming in six more days.

Thank you all.

[ericbrookey]

I don't handle them unless I have too. I changed the water and they seem to be much more happier, I'm glad my shipment is coming in six more days.

Thank you all.

That's good to hear. Wasn't that pretty fresh water though? Seems it was newly put in the tank when you moved them right? It did look a bit hazy but it will take much longer for it to foul. Even without a filter. Either way, glad they are perking up.

What's your water temp btw?


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[Marinecrab]

That's good to hear. Wasn't that pretty fresh water though? Seems it was newly put in the tank when you moved them right? It did look a bit hazy but it will take much longer for it to foul. Even without a filter. Either way, glad they are perking up.

What's your water temp btw?


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70-80, I changed it before going to bed and they're more active and deff swim alot more. That water was tap, I was told against using bottled water, then against using tap.
When I set up my waterfall filter I plan on using tap water and using a dechlorinator, letting that run for a few hours.

[jasonm96]

Tap water that you can drink should be fine if treated but you also have to let it sit out for 24 hours so the gas bubbles go away