Monkey tree frog - basking light question . . .

[Kay]

I just bought this frog today at the Repticon show. It seems like it requires very little care. However, I looked up some information on the internet, and it states that I need to have a basking area in the terrarium. I am supposed to create temperature zones and have the basking zone at about 90 degrees.

How do I create the zones? The terrarium is not that big compared to the basking lamp. If I put the lamp on top of the lid, it is going to cover at least half the lid. Do they make smaller lights? Does only the area directly under the light heat up? How long do I leave that lamp on? Do I have it on during the day or night?

Also, do I need to use an ultraviolet bulb in the hood light?

I also worry about the size of the crickets I am feeding him. I buy about 150 a week (I also have five fire bellied toads). I am supposed to feed the monkey frog the smallest crickets. Sometimes the crickets grow rather quickly. I could only buy brand new, tiny crickets once a week and by the end of the week they're larger. Can this frog open its mouth large enough to eat a small cricket? Not the pin head crickets, but a regular small cricket.

Suggestions would be most appreciated!

[John]

According to Michael Novy, here are the lighting requirements for this species:

2% UVB is required for froglets 2 months & older, no more than 3% UVB
**UV rays help eliminate excess bacteria growth (not saying bacteria will not grow in the tank, but it will help lower it)
UVB is essential for frog's growth
For Adults you can use up to a 5% UVB bulb; also a basking lamp - use a 25 Watt red light to raise the temperature to 85 degrees

[Kay]

When you say "2% UVB" -- what wattages does that translate to? The one I have now in the hood is 15 watts, but the light fixture can take up to a 25 watt bulb.

Do I wait until the frog is an adult before I use the basking lamp? When does a frog become an adult? Mine is only 8 weeks old. He is so small I am afraid to do something wrong and burn him!

Thanks for the information. There is so much conflicting information when I just do Google searches . . . I don't ever know which information to follow.

[John]

The percentage UV has nothing to do with wattage. You just buy that kind of bulb. The wattage describes how powerful a bulb is. I would get as low a wattage bulb as you can get.

According to Michael you need the UV bulb for proper growth in this species of frog so I would get it now.

[Kay]

The percentage UV has nothing to do with wattage. You just buy that kind of bulb. The wattage describes how powerful a bulb is. I would get as low a wattage bulb as you can get.

According to Michael you need the UV bulb for proper growth in this species of frog so I would get it now.

OK, and the basking lamp is a totally separate fixture/bulb, correct? How long each day do I have the basking lamp on as opposed to the UV light? Or do I leave them both on at the same time?