| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| IanHall09 |
Posted - 25/12/2009 : 18:42:48
Hello friends,
I have a spare 18" x 18" x 24" Exo Terra glass terrarium and have decided I want to create a living habitat for two equal sized Whites Tree Frogs.
There are many questions first tho which I would like everyone to shine some light on for me before I go any further with what is an idea right now. Starting with.....
Any books on Whites Tree Frogs that anyone has found helpful?
Which is the best way to heat such a set up?
What are the best methods for filtering a living enclosure after watering plants, misting etc?
Which plants are safe, strong, and all round best to use for this species?
And any other useful imformation which you find could help me?
Also I would love to see everyone elses pictures of your whites tree frogs, their set ups and any other living set ups everyone has!
Thanks
Ian.
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| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| lewy |
Posted - 03/01/2010 : 13:44:59
The outside of the tank, with maybe something to reflect the escaping heat in (a piece of polystyrene works well) you can tape the mat and polystyrene to the side of the tank with gaffatape, with the thermostat probe in between the glass and the mat (an on off mat stat will be sufficient)
The high humidity would cause problems with the mat if it was on the inside, it wouldn't last too long at all.
Some people recommend ceramic heaters or basking lamps, but they dry the air and the amphibians skin so I would never use those... for large bodied snakes yes... but never an amphibian. |
| IanHall09 |
Posted - 02/01/2010 : 22:02:08
Lewy would the heat mat need to be on the inside or on the outside of the tank? Cheers |
| lewy |
Posted - 26/12/2009 : 23:48:14
Hi Ian,
I've never kept whites myself, but are on my own list of potential new animals for my collection.
there's a care sheet on the main website if you haven't already found it, that my be useful.
http://www.theamphibian.co.uk/Whites_tree_frog_care_sheet.htm
As for your questions, I'll do my best from experience with other amphibians and planted set-ups
quote:
Originally posted by IanHall09
Any books on Whites Tree Frogs that anyone has found helpful?
Not sure on a whites book, but because they are one of the hardier and easier to keep tree frogs there are a lot of general amphibian books with a small section on whites, you should be able to grab at least two or three books from your local library.
quote:
Originally posted by IanHall09
Which is the best way to heat such a set up?
A heat mat on the side, near the top of the tank on a thermostat (so it never over heats and burns the frogs) and one under the tank (I use clay balls topped up with water, with a layer of weed barrier, then eco earth on top of that) This helps to raise the humidity in the tank to the right level and will cut down on how often you have to mist... have a look here:
http://www.theamphibian.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=42
What are the best methods for filtering a living enclosure after watering plants, misting etc?
The clay balls work well for me, and they also provide water for the plants to do their thing... also spot cleaning and partial clean outs every few months to keep the soil clean. Get custodians to help with the soil clean up (woodlice and springtails are a good start)
Which plants are safe, strong, and all round best to use for this species?
There are loads, but you'll need some heavy sturdy leaved plants as these guys can get pretty heavy. Wooded branches work well as they are sturdy enough to hold the frogs, you can drill into them and graft bromeliads onto them, which will make them look the part, you can also get small climbers that will wind their way up from the bottom of the terrarium and make it look the part as well.
I find cheese plants (Monster plants as they're some times called) work well in terrariums, they thrive in the right conditions. You just need to tame them down by cutting them back when they grow too aggressively, but the frogs will love them!
No matter what plants you have you'll need a low UVB plant bulb (set it on a timer for about 8 hours a day) otherwise most plants will die off
Try and keep away from loose sphagnum moss (live planted moss is fine). Loose moss can easily be eaten buy whites while trying to get food and they can't digest it. It can lead to impaction.
Also I would love to see everyone elses pictures of your whites tree frogs, their set ups and any other living set ups everyone has!
Phil and Jain (other members on here) have some whites, hopefully they'll get some photos up for you in a few days... it's got a little quiet on here coming up to Christmas
Hope this helps 
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| IanHall09 |
Posted - 25/12/2009 : 21:37:39
I've found this handy list of plants which are safe it just depends on wheather they can take the weight of a whites tree frog.
Bromeliad,
Cobra Fern,
Resurrection Fern,
Chinese Evergreen,
Elephant Ear,
Earth Stars,
Dumbcane,
Creeping Fig,
Poke-a-dot Plant,
Bromeliad,
Rabbit's Foot Fern,
Prayer Plant,
Button Fern,
Baby rubber plant,
Aluminum plants,
Philodendron, Pothos,
Silver Vine,
Club Moss,
Arrowhead Vine,
Wandering Jew,
Java Moss
and Bromeliad.
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