2 quick White tree frog questions

[KayJoh]

Hi LydiasMom,
just a question, how do you get mites? do they come in on the frog or substrate or some other way.
That sounds like a rude question but it isn't meant to be, I just want to know as much as I can before I start out.
Any advice is very much appreciated by anyone so thank you.

[LydiasMom]

Hi LydiasMom,
just a question, how do you get mites? do they come in on the frog or substrate or some other way.
That sounds like a rude question but it isn't meant to be, I just want to know as much as I can before I start out.
Any advice is very much appreciated by anyone so thank you.

Not rude at all! There's actually a lot of kinds of mites and ways they can show up. They should not arrive from your frogs tho.

Substrate can be a carrier, but the e-coco sterilizes so it's pretty safe. Soil is a big culprit when that's the carrier

Plants. They need to be carefully rinsed off before being planned in your frogs home, no matter who you purchase them from, it's always best to check. And if you get plants from a flower or garden show be EXTRA thorough, because they're notorious for that issue. Also if you get any plants/ wood from nature it needs to be thoroughly cleansed.

Your little friend's food. Crickets, even ants can carry a mite infection in on them.

If you see mites you're going to need to do one of two things, disassemble and bake/ wash everything. Or remove all critters you don't want dead and use dry ice to bath the whole thing. The plants will love it, but anything that needs oxygen will die overnight. Make sure you don't gas yourself either and ventilate the tank properly before returning any oxygen dependant friends.

Does that help?

[elly]

I don't personally know that live plants are necessarily the best. Frogs do need somewhere to hide to prevent stress and fake plants can help with that. However it's nice that live plants help prevent ammonia buildup. Also, fake plants should be checked carefully for hard edges or exposed wires. They should be cleaned thoroughly from time to time.

If you keep fancy goldfish, frogs shouldn't be too hard. Their water bowls need changing every day, or at least every two days. Or, I forgot to mention you can have a semi aquatic setup with a shallow layer of water on the bottom, a small filter, and plenty of places to climb out of the water.

e-coco sounds like it would be good. I don't recommend rocks small enough to fit into the frog's mouth in the tank. I've seen cases where frogs ate rocks before. Seriously! I have no idea how they survive in the wild.

[KayJoh]

You have both given me some very helpful information and some very good tips so thanks you both for all the help.
I have decided I am definitely going to get some frogs now. I have been thinking about WTF's ever since seeing them for the first time about a year ago and doing a lot of reading but there were a few things I wasn't clear about but you have both helped loads.

[LydiasMom]

You have both given me some very helpful information and some very good tips so thanks you both for all the help.
I have decided I am definitely going to get some frogs now. I have been thinking about WTF's ever since seeing them for the first time about a year ago and doing a lot of reading but there were a few things I wasn't clear about but you have both helped loads.

I'm really glad! I'm a neophyte, myself, but I've been learning a lot! Feel free to ask me anything you need help with! Worst case scenario I'll have to tell you that I don't know

[KayJoh]

This post went wrong so have reposted.

[KayJoh]

I know I have said this before but I really do appreciate the help. I actually hate coming onto forums because I don't want to be a pain in the butt to anyone. BUT... having said that your responses have raised a few more questions.
I have now decided that I would like to go down the planted route, they do look nice don't they! My first question is I know that you need your drainage layer but do you have to, from time to time, syphon the bottom right out to keep things nice and fresh?
Also am I right that you need a clean up crew and if so how do you ensure that they don't bring anything nasty in with them?
My plants will obviously be in before I get the frogs so is there anything I need to do for the plants until the frogs go in or will water be enough until the frogs arrive?
Lastly just seen something about cycling the tank. What does that mean? I know all about cycling a fancy goldfish tank but don't have a clue with this.
Can't tell you how much all your advice is helping already so again THANK YOU. X

[DanDrobates]

All of the above covers whites treefrog care very thoroughly. But yes you are right to ask about the cleanup crew and substrate. Here’s what I use.
1. Bottom drainage layer of clay or leca balls
2. Layer of vinyl screen as a substrate barrier
3. Layer of ABG mix as substrate
4. Layer of leaf litter such as magnolia or live osk
5. Add springtails and isopods
6. Let the tank cycle for two weeks to a month.

Cycling a vivarium means allowing the cleanup crew time to establish itself. Also it allows you to tweet and issues with heating or lighting before you obtain and introduce your frogs.

[KayJoh]

Thank you Dan, that was all really helpful. I will make a note of all that and check it out.