Fire-Bellied Toads, Am I doing it right?

[Marinecrab]

Not necessary. It will help speed up the cycle if you are doing a fishless cycle but I wouldn't do that with the frogs already in there. Way too high ammonia content is needed for that and will not be good for them. Just get an API Master Test kit and test every week until you establish a cycle then every month or so before water changes. With this type of setup you can probably get away with a 50% wc every 2 weeks once established, occassionally vac the gravel, and they should be fine.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Hmmmm, I'll see if I can get a cheap vac kit, but I will be getting water test kits.

[ericbrookey]

Hmmmm, I'll see if I can get a cheap vac kit, but I will be getting water test kits.

I just recently bought a vac that has a fairly thin tube with a manual squeeze pump on it. I love it because it can get in the crevices between all the dw and decor and the manual pump keeps the frog toxin laced water out of my mouth lol

I went with sand in my setup as it seems easier to keep clean but gravel is fine. As long as it's not up top where they might ingest it accidentally.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[Marinecrab]

I just recently bought a vac that has a fairly thin tube with a manual squeeze pump on it. I love it because it can get in the crevices between all the dw and decor and the manual pump keeps the frog toxin laced water out of my mouth lol

I went with sand in my setup as it seems easier to keep clean but gravel is fine. As long as it's not up top where they might ingest it accidentally.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Once I get plants I plan on mixing and using the sand to anchor the plants in the water.

[ericbrookey]

Once I get plants I plan on mixing and using the sand to anchor the plants in the water.

You might consider some Dracaenea. It does well partially submerged and as long as you support the stalks in gravel they will hold up pretty well. It's the tall plants I have in mine left of middle. Not very broad leaves and the roots don't go too crazy but it looks good in bunches and will provide decent shade. It needs something to keep it upright though so I positioned mine between wood for support. Good plant for the height of a 55g.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk