| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Jain |
Posted - 30/11/2008 : 21:22:53
Hi all....
Have started converting a smallish perspex aquarium that I have not used in a while to house a couple of young whites tree frogs whilst I am waiting to get everything sorted for the viv stack project...
Tank is about 10"deep by 20" wide by 10"high to where lid starts. It has an aquarium heater already wired to it and a fluorescent light in lid. I was thinking of laying the heater flat in base, along with a small aquarium sponge type filter alongside it and protecting these with rocks around and over, and then laying a plastic tray or similar on top of these to cover half the viv with cocoa bark and soil in, and then putting water in to cover heater and filter, thereby giving half land, half water. Also, as the water will be filtered, this should hopefully stop the need for me to put in fresh water to drink every day - so if I go away in the van for a few days at weekends in summer, things should be ok????
There is a 1.5" circular hole in lid area, but not sure this will give enough ventilation to prevent condensation, so am thinking of
??drilling holes along top back section (or would I be better to melt holes)??? and covering with fine mesh...
Would appreciate any feedback you could give on these thoughts.
Have ordered two young whites from local reptile store, as the adults there are £25!! and thought if I stared with them young/smallish, the smaller space at the moment should not be such a problem |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kehhlyr |
Posted - 02/12/2008 : 13:17:25
You could try upturning and trimming a plastic colander so it fits snugly into the viv to put over the heater and/or filter.
The small holes will aid the flow of the water, but be small enough so that the froggies can't get to the heater.
I've done similar in the past, and you may also find that the heat mat may be redundant, as the warm water raises the ambient temp inside the viv. The downside of this though is condensation.
Keeping 2 of the sides clear is brilliant, our frog loves to stick onto the side of the viv, it's his fave thing.
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| lewy |
Posted - 02/12/2008 : 10:01:50
Sounds good, Be careful they don't ingest the pea gravel - Been told Hydroleca (clay ball things) is better. If the heater is very well covered I can't see a problem, and yes the heat mat would be better on the side (with sat) I look forward to seeing the rest!  Keep us updated... you could even try a build along in the DIY section if you like! |
| Jain |
Posted - 01/12/2008 : 22:40:35
Hi all - my project has grown from small acrylic tank to larger glass aquarium conversion!!
Ok I have managed to get hold of some bark for back of tank. Tank is 31.5" wide, 12" deep and 14" high. It has an aquarium lid with fluorescent light which I will need to protect somehow - doesnt emit too much heat but would not like to get any burns etc. There are two rectangular holes in lid that I am going to cover with mesh, to enable reasonable ventilation, but will do it from underside and that way, can put covers back on if/when necessary and to stop any nasty crickets escaping.
Have taken a few pics and will outline under them what I had thought of doing, will then sit back patiently (I promise)! and wait for you all to tell me why I cannot do it that way, and what I actually need to do
Have now fixed cork bark in back of tank with aquatic sealant and left to go off.
I have shown aquarium heater and small filter in bottom of viv. I would like to section off small (thanks Kehhlyr) water end and place both of the above laid on the bottom at back of tank, and cover with flat rock on top and other rocks in front (and possibly s/s mesh also)?? to keep froggies away from them and allow for me to access them for maintenance, then use small pebbles on base in front of this to bring water level up to a depth that froggies will be able to sit comfortably in water when want to.
I was then going to make land end by putting pea gravel etc on base to top of water level, then a plastic liner, and then some cocoa bark and eco earth so that I can grow moss and plants on top of this.
I have bogwood that Ihave baked to get rid of nasties for froggies to climb and rocks that I have boiled to add to decor. I was going to leave both side sections as glass, as I have seen pics of some of these froggies climbing up glass, so am assuming they like to do this also. (And I can view from sides etc).
I know I will need a heat mat, but as substrate is going to be quite thick with both water and land, am I right in thinking I will need to put this on side of viv on outside of glass? and if so, am I right in thinking they generally do not give off enough heat that will burn froggies fingers and toes (will be using a mat stat also ? poke probe between tank and mat).
Cheers.... J
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| Kehhlyr |
Posted - 01/12/2008 : 10:00:16
quote:
Originally posted by Jain
Hi all....
Have started converting a smallish perspex aquarium that I have not used in a while to house a couple of young whites tree frogs whilst I am waiting to get everything sorted for the viv stack project...
Old placcy Aquarium, perfect.
quote:
Tank is about 10"deep by 20" wide by 10"high to where lid starts. It has an aquarium heater already wired to it and a fluorescent light in lid. I was thinking of laying the heater flat in base, along with a small aquarium sponge type filter alongside it and protecting these with rocks around and over, and then laying a plastic tray or similar on top of these to cover half the viv with cocoa bark and soil in, and then putting water in to cover heater and filter, thereby giving half land, half water.
Although these frogs enjoy having a dip, i've never known anyone to do a half and half with them.
These frogs will force themselves into any gap, so an aquarium heater could give rise to injury.
quote:
Also, as the water will be filtered, this should hopefully stop the need for me to put in fresh water to drink every day - so if I go away in the van for a few days at weekends in summer, things should be ok????
Unfortunately you'll still need fresh drinking water, you'll need to get de-chlorinated, although in the short term tap water is ok, in the long term it could kill froggys.
They will probably still drink the water, so going away for a few days should be ok in regards the water, but what about food??
quote:
There is a 1.5" circular hole in lid area, but not sure this will give enough ventilation to prevent condensation, so am thinking of
??drilling holes along top back section (or would I be better to melt holes)??? and covering with fine mesh...
You could do that, but it's easier to leave it without first, purely because it's easier to cut and make new holes than it is to fill holes up.
They do like a nice bit of humidity/condensation but if there's to much then they wont be able to stick to the side of the tank very well.
quote:
Have ordered two young whites from local reptile store, as the adults there are £25!! and thought if I stared with them young/smallish, the smaller space at the moment should not be such a problem
From measurements of tank, that should be fine for them anyway, just make sure you've got some nice strong plants in there as well because they like climbing. |
| lewy |
Posted - 01/12/2008 : 09:56:36
Hi Jain,
If they are very small whites they'll do okay in this size tank - But when they get bigger they'll need more height - they prefer a tall tank over a wide one, I've even thought about turning a tank like yours on it's side so it is tall rather than long, but haven't figured out how to get opening doors on the front yet. The water sounds interesting, just don't make it too deep, they should be able to sit in the water and comfortably have their mouths and noses above the water line... you don't want a drowned frog! Other than that just make sure you use a water conditioner or bottle spring water - as the chlorine in tap water can kill amphibians.
Try the water heater and check the temps, but you may find that near the top of the tank is where they'll spend much of their time, you may need to add a heat mat to the side of the tank to bring the temps up.
As for holes in the lid, I've found with drilling rubs that the plastic very easily cracks, either be very slow and take your time or as you say burn some holes - The large hole in the top will need some fine mesh, frogs can squeeze through very small holes easily so the more secure the better.
Good luck, I look forward to seeing some photos! |
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