What Was I Thinking?!

[Wood Nymph]

I got myself into a heckuva mess a few days ago. My boyfriend wanted to empty out an old boat full of rainwater to dispose of it. You probably already see where this is going. This is mid-October and there were tadpoles in it. Most of 'em didn't even have legs yet. It's been a weird season here in Indiana. Didn't figure they stood a chance with it being so late in the season. So, I told him that I wouldn't mind saving a few of 'em because it's likely to frost at any time. Now my definition of "a few" is like ... five or less. He comes back to me with a Tupperware container holding about forty! Maybe more. And a half dozen aquatic snails. He'd already dumped the boat. *sigh*


These are most likely leopard frogs. ??? They leap out in front of him when he mows his lawn. They're getting scarce these days. What could I do? Luckily Pet Smart had an aquarium sale of $1 per gallon. I picked up a 40 gallon tank, gravel, an expensive fake log and cheap plants. Already had an extra basking light setup and a water filter on hand. Oh yeah - I also purchased a hinged screen cover and locks!


After I covered the bottom with gravel, I built up a high area by covering a small plastic crate with substrate mesh and then artificial moss cloth. I arranged flat rocks in a step formation to hold all of that in place and created additional pebble slopes leading up to the terrestrial area. The maximum water depth is about five inches. The land area can be extended much wider when I have froglets. These are gonna have to live in my home until spring when I can release them in one or two of the horsetail swamps down by my large creek.


For now they seem happy. No casualties yet. They are eating boiled spinach, algae pellets, freeze-dried blood worms and fish food like it's going out of style. Gonna need to increase my cricket culture!! I imagine that tiny/small crickets, fruit flies, isopods, and small phoenix worms will do at first. Right? Worms and larger crickets for later.


Anyhow - here's what it looks like. All of the plants are fake except for the leaves and duck weed. The split log is elm. I think that should be safe. Any feedback or advice would be appreciated! How did I do? I'm in sooo much trouble. HELP!!

Front view


Aerial view


Right side views






Left side view (filter hidden behind plant)


Miscellaneous (two with hind legs and an aquatic snail)