Please don't yell at me

[tgampper]

Hi and welcome to Frog Forum!

Here is a website that will help you in properly keeping your dwarf clawed frogs:
Dwarf Frog Central

[Dejavudoo]

I have an in-tank underwater filter in my 40 gallon long. The brand is Fluval. I use to have a filter that sat outside the tank but since you have to leave room at the top for them to breath, it created too much water movement and noise. Also, with the in-tank filter you don't have to worry about cutting a hole out of the tank cover, creating a possible escape route for your frogs.

[ramble]

I didn't end up getting a filter because of the lid issue. The 10 gallon I have has major gaps and I ended up buying the 20 gallon screen type lid. Hopefully water changes and plants to provide aeration will be enough. I have filters (plural) for the turtle and she still needs water changes so we'll just do them at the same time.

The gravel I have in there is large, more like marble-sized or larger pebbles. I didn't have a ton so I used larger rocks to prop up the plants. I just read that's a no-no so I will pull the large rocks out before the frogs go in.

It has some live plants and I treated it with Aquasafe and SafeStart. I'm not sure how long to let it sit. I guess I will test it in the morning but I'm not sure if I should let it cycle longer - these poor frogs are in such a tiny container right now.

I also got them a snail (it's already in their tiny "tank") since the manual said it's good for them, but the site Terry recommended said snails carry parasites. Arg! So much conflicting info. If I put the snail with my turtle, she will eat it but I don't want the frogs to get sick either.

I will keep feeding the frog pellets until I can get the frozen food. I only have dried bloodworms right now and it sounds like those aren't a good choice. Are Zoo Med "Can O whatever" foods good? I did see those at the store and I read this afternoon that they like the shrimp one, but I wasn't sure if that was safe or not. The pet store only rarely carries live food, I already asked.

Thanks for all the help so far as I mutter curses at my mom for getting me into this unprepared.

[Dejavudoo]

I would try to get a filter. These guys create quite a bit of waste. If you get the underwater type, the lid won't be a problem. I bought mine at Petsmart but I can't remember how much it was.

I feed my frogs the Can O' Worms all the time. Along with the freeze dried tubifex worm blocks, frozen bloodworms, and I just recently fed them a live earthworm. You can also occasionally feed them frozen beef heart. Don't feed too much because its too fatty and can cause heart disease just like in humans. But they love it and its a great treat to them.

Best of luck to your froggies!!!

[ramble]

I must have done something right! One of them is calling right now. Totally freaking out my cat, which is hilarious.

I tested this morning and the nitrates were up, nitrites were zero and everything else looked good. I got a heater at Walmart because the night time temp dropped too much. My turtle's tank stays warmer with the basking lamp I suppose. Let the heater run and switched them over slowly this evening. They immediately swam and explored. I was worried they'd hide but any time my 5yo gets near the tank, they come running like puppy dogs! It is SO cute!

I thought for sure we had two females because I didn't see the under arm bump, but maybe one is a male. I read up real quick and it sounds like the females usually only answer? This is like a two second crickety sort of sound. Either way, I assume they are happy for now, woot!

I am going to get to the pet store as soon as I can to check out the undergravel filters (never used one before!) and to get some food variety and a light.

Thank you all for your help!

[Dejavudoo]

Oh, another thing to look for in a filter is if it has an adjustable flow rate. I checked mine today and apparently it doesn't. You can change where the flow comes from, but now how fast it is. *sigh* So many things to look out for, eh? But these guys are worth it. They really are adorable. Mine use to call a lot too. I'm not sure why they have quit calling as much.