Looking into Pacman frogs

[MeTree]

Hey guys! I just got back from my local pet store! It is an independent pet store (in other words, it isn't a big chain like Petsmart or Petco) that I haven't been to in a while. It is the only fish store that I know of within 55 miles of here.

Anyway, the owner of the LPS was going out of buisness. I was so sad when I saw the add in the paper for the buisness. The owner never had any staff, so the owner always reconized me when I came in. I had ordered parts, bought all my fish that I have (except for my I got off craigslist, and the male betta that was mistaken for a female betta and put in a sorority and taken out the same day. That also excludes my 3 ghost shrimp I bought at walmart) from that pet store. In other words, I was a valued customer, and the manager would bend over backwards to make sure I got what I needed.

I say that to say this, reciently, or so I thought, the LPS was taken over by new management. I saw employees I didn't know, so I figured that the manager had sold the LPS and it was over for my LPS. These people didn't know me, my setups, my interest, and they certainly didn't value me as a valuable customer. I thought that I would never be able to special-order again!

I figured that there was nothing I could do to get my LPS to get a pacman, and I don't think my nearest Petsmart (which is the closest Chain at 60 miles away) carries the green pacman, so I figured this would kind of die. I went in to get another mystery snail (which was out of stock at the moment), and after looking at reptile/amphibian supplies (which were a little more than I would pay at a chain, of corse) I was about ready to head out the door when...

...I looked up and saw the old owner (not meaning "old" in age. Might still be the owner, I didn't ask)! I was so happy! The manager ask what I was looking for just like old times and I quickly ask about pacmans and when some mystery snails were expected to come in. The manager said that the pacmans would come in when the weather warms a little and that the mysteries would be in Friday. The manager wrote my name on a card and said that [the manager] would get back to me later with more info on when the green pacmans would arrive.

That just gives me a little bit more time to save up for some supplies that are going to be a little bit more expensive than at petsmart. I would rather buy from my LPS than the chain. I can probably expect to pay about $30-38 for the pacman and I want to buy some decor also.

I still am abit confused about the setup with the water and the burrowing. If the water is to the middle of the pacman, how can it burrow without drowning? Maybe some of you all members have a pic of your pacman tank (under normal conditions) that would show the layers? I kinda "drew" this picture of how it sounds (from all I have read) like a pacman tank is setup. I am still pretty confused, though. Please note that the picture is not to scale, so please don't get out a ruler to see how high the water is, and how tall the pacman is, and the dimensions of the tank, etc. lol.

Also, someone I know (from a fish forum) who keeps pacman says to put the under tank heater on the side of the tank to prevent the wet glass from bending/breaking. This sounds like a good idea, but I was just wondering what you guys think. The heater isn't included in the pic.



I just had afew more questions. Does any old empty spray bottle (like the kind that squits Shout, but not the actually bottle that has had chemicals in it) that has never come in contact with cleaning chemicals work for a mister? I am a little bit confused on weather or not it needs to be labled "mister" or not. I find spray bottles empty at Dollar Tree (made in China), would that work?

I guess this could wait (for awhile), but in the winter I just keep the frog at the same temp, humidity, etc, just like normal, correct? I have heard that they only hibernate if they are breeding, so I am just making sure that I wouldn't be messing up some kind of internal clock in the little pacman if I didn't dry him out and stuff.

I also need to know a substrate that will work. It doesn't have to be the best, I just need to know what is suitable and wont mold or dry out super quickly. Can you guys give some recomendations on what you all use for your pacman(s)? That, I think, is one of my biggest questions.
Also, I was looking at walmart, and they have these little bitty flouresent fixtures with little bulbs that are cheap as dirt. I have heard that full spectrum "daylight" (about 6500-6700) is great for the frog's health. I was wondering if there would be a max wpg with pacmans. I don't want the light to provide alot of heat (do I?), but I don't want it to be useless. Above all, I certainly don't want to hurt the pacman. Just wondering if anyone knew about pacmans and lighting.

I think that is it with the questions for now. Sorry guys, I can really talk forever when I am excited. This isn't only a breakthrough finding a source to buy a pacman, though, this is me becoming a valued customer again with all the neat privledges that comes with.

Thank you SO much guys for helping me with this!

[iatakden]

I dont know where you live , looks like east texas but ya . We have a place called Hobby Lobby out here in Colorado and i can get almost EVERYTHING there , ex. i got my 1/2 gallon mister there for about 1.29 if im not mistaken. Wal mart is a great start also. Like someone else said here . DONT GO MAIN STREAM . Your wallet will feel it .

[MeTree]

Thanks for the tip! I went to Hobby Lobby today and got a small mister for about $2. I hope it will work.

What about the setup? I know it can vary, but I am still very confused. I "drew" a picture of what my (poor) understanding of a pacman setup is, but I still don't know if I did it correctly. Anyone have a vid of their pacman on Youtube I could watch that shows the tank in it? Maybe some pics? I don't know, but I will keep looking.

Still don't know what to do about substrate, heating, and basic setup. I posted my questions and concerns 2 posts up (^).

Thanks guys! I'll keep you all posted.