My FBT's and their home

[s6t6nic6l]

[ScumBum]

That lily pad looks like the perfect toad lounge chair . My toad started turning darker too and looks just like the one in the last pic .

[s6t6nic6l]

That lily pad looks like the perfect toad lounge chair . My toad started turning darker too and looks just like the one in the last pic .

two of them do lounge on these all the time. there is two of them in the pool and they are ANUBIAS plants and they do well in here.

[s6t6nic6l]

more up to date pics with the moss carpet that has been in here for nearly 3 months now




and now "the how & why" bit for anybody who cares

P.S. please enlarge images for detail(s)

the FBT's are getting a reputation as being messy inhabitants in most peoples setups, so i am going to bore you with the build idea and reasons for the layout.
first pic shows the basic plan: first of all, a glass divider was set in place with aquarium sealant to make a pool area approx 40% of the terrain.
i personally like this ratio to benefit the toads demeanor, so they can spend their time at any point in the setup which suits them. it was to be planted so drainage was used as seen. (more on that later)

second pic: the rock enclave was built using celotex, foam filler, grout and pond paint. the sloping bank by building up layers of the foam. the rocks come down to same level as pool wall. the substrate placed and left 2 inch short up the pool wall. pre-packed moss layed and stones place around terrain and, again, along the pool wall. this all helped to prevent substrate being dragged into the pool. the drainage system helped with the reverse effect of when water was brought out of the pool onto land. this was further improved later by introducing a carpet of live moss from the woods as per first 2 pics.

so that was my method for less mess. now for the toads benefits. not wanting to lose any land area for hides being placed around, they get the shelter from three ways: the cave "A" by the branch arch and substrate scraped away and the rock overhang "B" of which 3 are along the back and the larger built on the side to give shelter from the basking light(60w 8hr then moonlight over pool til midnight). one favourite spot is under the branch/pool wall "C". the pool & bank is designed to let them swim, rest at any level in the water and to easily emerge from the pool. anubias plants also in the pool for them to rest on to.
NOTE: with the lights/part meshed top scenario, i never suffer from condensation
pic3: feeding time.

crickets and most other livefoods like to escape!!. the wall stops 2 or 3" around the tank for this purpose. in all inside top corners tape is placed over the sealant to prevent the more determined climbers.

hope some of the ideas/methods used here may benefit others with these active little critters or any other you keep.

cheers

[ArizonaFrogGuy]

What size tank is that?

[bshmerlie]

What kind of moss is that? How is it holding up to the water? Does it grow and spread?

[s6t6nic6l]

What kind of moss is that? How is it holding up to the water? Does it grow and spread?

not sure of species, as stated it is sourced from woods on my travels so it free for a start , it covers the land area only and not noticed growth but i collect spare "carpets" if in need of replacing, but, again, had this in now for 3 months with a bit of browning.

and for those who can't be bothered reading the thread , the tank size: 30 x 12 x 18"

[s6t6nic6l]

What kind of moss is that? How is it holding up to the water? Does it grow and spread?

after a couple of months of wear and tear by the toads it started to brown off but lately it seems to be coming back to green with fresh "leaves" forming so i'm hoping it is starting to acclimatize to it's new surroundings. time will tell. still unsure of species tho'