Firebelly acting strange after tank redecoration

[FirebellyMom]

Hi,
I've really benefited from this forum as lurker over the past six months and I'm hoping for a bit of reassurance. We keep our firebellies in a ten gallon tank and today we redid it with live plants, a new sand like substrate called Sera floredepot, and some new rocks and driftwood. I'm concerned for two reasons, one as soon as we put them in the new home they started squeaking-- previously they have never made a peep, and two the new substrate is concerning me. I went to our locally owned aquarium/ reptile store and the manager there assured me the substrate would both prevent the problems from them swallowing larger gravel and provide a good home for the plants. It has little pill like things in it though and that worries me. I've looked online and haven't found any horror stories, but I'm still questioning myself about it.

What do you all think-- is the squeaking just stress and the substrate fine or have I made a mistake somewhere? Also, in case you are wondering, they both ate and ummm . . . snuggled as usual in their new home.

[ArizonaFrogGuy]

Dont be worried about the squeeking, thats just part of their nature. What brand is the substrate?

[bshmerlie]

The squeeking sounds like little faint barking correct? If so that is the sound of a happy firebelly toad. Not sure about the substrate ...never heard of it.

[Jace]

I am sure everything will be fine. If they are eating...and hugging...then you have normal behaviour. If they weren't doing either of those (especially the eating part), there would be cause for concern. Sounds like they have a wicked setup now!!

[clownonfire]

The squeeking sounds like little faint barking correct? If so that is the sound of a happy firebelly toad. Not sure about the substrate ...never heard of it.

This is exactly what happens to mine every time they are happy: either calm, well fed, or in a great environment. Good job!

[FirebellyMom]

Thanks for the reassurance-- they seem happy this afternoon and this morning. Still hunting crickets and exploring. So far they seem happy. Though one keeps hanging put under water. Very odd-- she sits there in the plant roots and comes up for air and dives again. This set up also seems to give them more swimming space and greater depth and it seems to please them. She even launched herself out of the water to get a cricket

[ARMS87]

Sand-like substrates aren't good for most amphibs, it's rough on the all important skin and if swallowed can cause internal damage. I use moss, can't go wrong..
Otherwise sounds like a nice set up.