Am I on the Right Path ~ Feedback Plz

[buddhaFROG]

I got my Pacman yesterday and I got it setup with a 10 gal tank. I am very new to this but I am also very interested in these lil monsters.

So I went to petsmart, picked up my frog, and I also got tropical cypress bedding and the coconut fiber. It was recommended to me to mix them together, which I did. Also I got the frog set-up which came with the undertank heater, fluker's calcium dust sample for insects, thermometer, hygrometer and spray bottle.

So after I got his bedding, guages, plant, log and water dish in the tank it was time to introduce him to his new home. And first thing he did was hop a few times and then he buried himself. To the point where I didnt have any clue where he was. Though I know this is what they do.

Anyway, I havent been able to get his home at a stable temperature/humidity. I keep it sprayed and of course the humidity will rise but it wont stay that way for long.

So after some research I went back to petsmart and got a heat lamp and some moss. Now I have read alot of posts about the moss. But I didnt use much and only put it along the sides of the tank. Almost like a fence. Then I added the lamp. Its a flukers clamp lamp with a DIMMER so that I can control the wattage/heat/brightness. We have a 50 watt Neodymium basking bulb but of course it is not no where near 50 watts when in use. I only keep the warm side of the tank with the lamp and heating pad. The other remaining top is covered with a towel not allowing the humidity to escape to easily.

Since doing all of this I have been able to maintain a temp of 80 and its a constant battle to keep the humidity at 80. I just wrapped half of my top with plastic wrap and placed a towel on top of it. Hoping it will hold for a while because it has dropped since I started this post.

I tried to feed Buddha today, but of course, he wasnt interested. So as he sits under his plant, im just curious if im being to cautious or do I not know what im really doing. Any feedback would be great.

Thx

[frogmike]

everything sounds good except for you need to ditch the lamp, the wire top, and the moss. If you go and get a glass top all your climate problems will be gone, and your frog will start eating. the problem with the lamp is that it causes the frog to lose eyesight and will not get it back. Imagine staring at a light bulb all day and then trying to catch fast moving food if you could still see it at all. My first pac had this problem and I have to feed him by holding the food to his mouth so he can feel it. The lamp also caused dryness and overheating. The ceiling lights in the room that he is in are plenty. The log will not be used and is really just taking up space. As far as moss goes, you don't want to use any moss that can be easily swallowed. You can use the kind that is all one big green clump and one unit you know. As long as it is tough and kinda rooted in the substrate. This way it won't be accidentally eaten, and cause intestinal obstruction.

[DVirginiana]

The moss needs to go. Young frogs are clumsy hunters and will inevitably eat it while hunting, and it can cause impaction. If you were trying to use it to keep in humidity, there are plenty of frogsafe plants that you could use for that (there's probably a list somewhere on this site).

The wire top and heat lamp aren't going to kill your frog. I know of plenty of people who use these things who have healthy, long-lived frogs. If your frog is an albino then the lamps can harm their skin and vision, but otherwise you just need to make sure the heat and light don't get too intense. The heat pad might be a problem, as these guys burrow to avoid heat, and aren't really smart enough to figure out that the heat source is below them.

[frogmike]

The heating pad won't be a problem. these guys are smart enough to know that the heat is coming from below them. They will sit on top of the area that the heating pad is to get warm, and then burrow down near, but not on top of the pad. That's what all 6 of mine have done for as long as I have had them. Just make sure that the substrate is wet and 3" to 5" deep. Or just do what ever. I'm sure your capable of keeping it alive. They are a hearty frog, and though some ways are better than others, it should keep breathing for a while. No one can ever believe the sheer size, color, and activeness of my pacman frogs. I think it might be the due to the climate and diet that I supply them with. I got them prize frogs fool.

[DVirginiana]

About the heating pad, I couldn't tell from your original post if you had it under the whole tank or under just part of it. If it's only under half, Frogmike is right, and it won't harm your frog at all. The main problem I hear of with people using heat pads is that they'll put it under the entire tank, and the frog doesn't have anywhere to burrow and cool off. If he can do that, there's no problem.

[buddhaFROG]

Okay..Well he finally ate and pooped for me.

I want everyone to know that the heat lamp only covers half of my setup. The samething with my heat pad. It only covers half. So the main source of heat is only on half the tank.

I have since got a piece of plexi-glass and covered half the tank as well so that it will hold the humidity.

One quick question tho..wont a solid glass top restrict air from my frog therefore killing him? I see alot about glass tops and I just wonder about air quality. Also where do you get a glass top?

thx again guys

[DVirginiana]

Yay! Sounds like your pac is getting used to its enclosure and settling in well To get a glass top, you'll need to go to a glass-cutter and get one made. Alot of people do this for tree-frog tanks, and I hear it's pretty affordable; you can even get it so that there's a hinge top on the cage, but I'm not exactly sure how...

[frogmike]

No, the glass top will not suffocate your frog. You have to leave a small space for air and excess heat to escape. If pacman frogs were easy to suffocate then they wouldn't bury themselves deep in the ground. I also wave my hand around in the tank when i open the top to spray or feed them. This circulates the old air out, and allows for more oxygen and fresh air to enter. they don't really like it cause the air feels cold like getting out of the shower.

[frogmike]

You said that you have a 10 gallon tank, so you will not have to get a custom top from a glass cutter. Every pet store I've ever been in sells a glass top for 10 gallon tanks. It will be made of 2 sections of glass linked by a plastic bendy henge that goes long ways. It will come with a stick on handle for opening, and a strip of plastic in the back that can be cut to create a space for ventilation. You will have to look around the fish tank stuff. if you don't see it, ask an employee. its really worth it to get one.