Hello from Ottawa, Canada

[OttawaFrogger]

Hi all. My name Is Aaron and I am new to caring for frogs. I have always loved frogs and everything about them, i made the decision yesterday, after quite a bit of research, to purchase 2 White's Tree Frogs. I am very excited to have begun this new hobby and hope that i can be successful at caring for my new friends.

Being new to caring for frogs, I am alway appreciative for advice and guidance.

My first habitat: the two frogs are in a 20 gal aquarium with many plants and a large branch. I have a shallow water dish and have used Plantation Soil for the substrate. Also, there is a Exo Terra heTer (10" x 11") at one end. At he shop where I purchased them, they did not seem to be very happy - their color was quite brown and pale, but since I have placed them in their new home they have turned green (I am hoping that this is a good sign) my only concern at this point is that the temperature is not rising with the heater that i have installed, i have not used a light source - if anyone thinks that this would be best please let me know. I can't seem to get the temperature to rise to a comfortable level. I am keeping the environment moist and the humidity seems to be in the correct range.

All that being said, I am looking forward to learning as time goes on and having a cha ce to chat with more experienced people than myself. Thank you for reading, and for having this wonderful forum.

Aaron

[TheBambooGoanna]

Hello and welcome! I'm from Ottawa too! I hope you put up pics of your frogs...everybody loves pictures

my only concern at this point is that the temperature is not rising with the heater that i have installed,

I can't seem to get the temperature to rise to a comfortable level.

What are the temps currently at?

i have not used a light source - if anyone thinks that this would be best please let me know

When dealing with nocturnal tree frogs, lights are not really necessary unless you have live plants. Other then that, the only benefit of a light would be for better viewing. Just be careful of what kind of light you put in, if you decide to get one: it could damage your frogs eyes and skin if it's too strong or used too excessively.

Being somewhere that gets a light period and a dark period will be just fine for your frogs.

[OttawaFrogger]

Hi. Thanks for replying to my post. It was pretty cool to find this forum. I'll try to get some photos of my frogs once they settle in. As for the temperature problem, currently it's at 68 degrees. I have a heating pad on the bottom of the tank, and now have placed an incandescent light to try to get the temperature up. If you have any suggestions I would appreciate it. I'm a little worried about them since I only got them yesterday. I want to make sure that their new home is comfortable.

Thanks,
Aaron

[TheBambooGoanna]

Hmm yeah 68 is a little cool. Which exo heat pad do you have? The rainforest or the desert one? Also, how many inches of soil do you have down? My first suggestion would probably be to take out some of the soil so the heat can get through better.

Or is the heat pad on the side of the tank? If it's on the side of the tank and the temp is still not getting through, it may simply be a case of the heating device not being powerful enough. Maybe cover some of the screen with a towel or blanket to keep as much heat as possible in the tank.

How is the incandescent light doing? What are the temps like now?

[OttawaFrogger]

I had the tropical pad, and did remove some of the soil from the bottom but there was little change. I went out this evening and bought a new heating pad, the desert one. The temp has already risen by 9 degrees. I think I will be able to control the stronger heat by adjusting the amount of substrate. I'll keep you posted, and thank you for the advice. Hopefully by tomorrow the little ones will be happier. They seem a little listless.

[TheBambooGoanna]

Oh good! That 9 degrees should make a big difference! I suspected that you had the rainforest one and I was going to suggest upgrading to the desert but you beat me to the punch lol!