Aquatic tank

[Ken Worthington]

If I could add a couple of points....

Thoroughly rinsed commercial 'play-sand' is okay to use, and cheaper. (Deku, SiO2, is the main ingredient and is completely safe).

Live plants are such a good idea for a number of reasons;

Although they will absorb Oxygen and produce CO2 as they respire, they will provide Oxygen and absorb CO2 in an overall beneficial way when they have enough light to photosynthesize.

Plants will also absorb the three main Nitrogen compounds to various degrees, depending on the situation and plant-type.

Plants will provide a surface area in which beneficial bacteria can live.

Hardy plants such as Java fern, Java moss, Anubias, etc are hard to kill, and cheap.
You only need to even consider CO2 diffusers with more specialist plants.

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(@ Deku) With all due respect, but quote "It is the best because to have a cycled tank you NEED a filter." is not true! This is from a chemistry point of view....if a filter has a biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration system then it has nothing more than a well-balanced eco-system. The minus being that the vibration of a filter can stress the frogs (try putting your ear to the glass with it on, then off and hear the difference!) as is particularly noted in other aquatic frogs, such as Xenopus laevis, in captivity.

In addition, if I could mention that the number of offspring and frequency of breeding in the wild be taken into account when determining the risk of ingesting sand or things that may cause gastro-intestinal impaction. If two frogs can produce two healthy offspring that reach sexual-maturity, then in evolutionary terms, this is a success.
I'm sure more young frogs will die from predation, etc, than by impaction,but in captivity we eliminate the animals natural enemies, whether predatory or inanimate.

[bshmerlie]

There are a lot of aquatic plants that you do not need C02 for. There are many Aquascaping forums that you can google that will discuss the different types of plants you could use.

[Deku]

If I could add a couple of points....

Thoroughly rinsed commercial 'play-sand' is okay to use, and cheaper. (Deku, SiO2, is the main ingredient and is completely safe).

Live plants are such a good idea for a number of reasons;

Although they will absorb Oxygen and produce CO2 as they respire, they will provide Oxygen and absorb CO2 in an overall beneficial way when they have enough light to photosynthesize.

Plants will also absorb the three main Nitrogen compounds to various degrees, depending on the situation and plant-type.

Plants will provide a surface area in which beneficial bacteria can live.

Hardy plants such as Java fern, Java moss, Anubias, etc are hard to kill, and cheap.
You only need to even consider CO2 diffusers with more specialist plants.

.................................................. .................................................. ...........

(@ Deku) With all due respect, but quote "It is the best because to have a cycled tank you NEED a filter." is not true! This is from a chemistry point of view....if a filter has a biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration system then it has nothing more than a well-balanced eco-system. The minus being that the vibration of a filter can stress the frogs (try putting your ear to the glass with it on, then off and hear the difference!) as is particularly noted in other aquatic frogs, such as Xenopus laevis, in captivity.

In addition, if I could mention that the number of offspring and frequency of breeding in the wild be taken into account when determining the risk of ingesting sand or things that may cause gastro-intestinal impaction. If two frogs can produce two healthy offspring that reach sexual-maturity, then in evolutionary terms, this is a success.
I'm sure more young frogs will die from predation, etc, than by impaction,but in captivity we eliminate the animals natural enemies, whether predatory or inanimate.

I strongly doubt a frog will die from impaction when it comes to sand. Because if its "fine" sand it should pass through the frogs body very easy. Also larger rocks could pose as a hazard if the frog decideds to dash around and gets crushed. Gravel could get consumed and THAT will cause impaction for obvious reasons. I'ved never encounter any problem with sand. Also playsand is not thebest of sand who knows whats in it. Just saying Ived seen better options.

I can see where you say you dont need a filter to cycle a tank if you have plants but yes you do. Filters quickly remove physical waste and clean it up in a pad which can be later rinsed off. The space thats inside a filter ussually is teaming with good bacteria that eats ammonia and the other bad stuff. Overall its best to have a filter. Yes a filter can produce stress but if you find a way to slow down the current to a minimum and all vibrations in the water the animal should be happy still and the tank will be clean and throughly oxygenated.
Overall Iam pro filters as long as its canisters. This is why I said he should put in a ton of floating plants. Also to slow down the water he could make the water pour into a cup and then into the tank. Or he could cover the opening with a bit of a sponge which will slow thewater down significantly causing lesser vibrations.
You could cycle a tank without a filter but then you would need a fully planted tank. Also you would need to do more water changes which is a no no. Its why I said a filter is the best way to go.
Edit: also I cant tell whether your against or for my statement because you contradicted yourself. Where I said a filter is needed that is the truth sign up on some fish forums. But you then said it wasnt true and then after that you made a statement that contradicted that. "If a filter has mechanical, biological and chemical is there than it forms a well balanced eco system" yes thats pretty much saying what I just said. But in any case we cant replicated a perfect ecosystem. We just try.