A couple of questions from a newbie

truestar_92 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-24-2008, 09:13 PM

Sorry, this has no doubt been asked tons of times before, but I'm new at this, so I'd really appreciate some help. I'm gonna be setting up a vivarium in about 3 months and figured it would be wise to research as much as I could before I do it. Anyways, I know the vivarium is going to be 20"x10"x18" and will have lots of live plants and a pool/water feature. It's going to be very similar to this one, Setting up a Vivarium but with a little less area on the bottom.

What I don't know is what plants would be a good choice for my setup, mainly because I don't know what I'll actually be putting in it. I know that it's not really that big, but I'd like to be able to keep 2-3 frogs, most likely 2 since I'm new at this and it's a smaller tank. What kind of frogs would you recommend? I really like RETF, but have heard some people say they're hard to keep and others say they're not that difficult as long as you keep them in the correct conditions. Would it be too difficult to house a pair of RETF even though I'm a newbie? I also like the White's Tree Frog, but I don't think it would appreciate a tank this small, and I'd definitely only be able to keep 1 of those by itself in a tank this small, right?

Another thing I was considering was a pair of Fire-Bellied Toads, and changing the construction of the vivarium to give them more swimming room and water. Would this be okay or would it be a little too crowded for their liking? I really just want to make sure I don't put the animals in a situation that isn't good for them, so I hope you'll help me out with these questions, and feel free to suggest any kind of Frog/Toad or plants you think I'd be able to keep and hopefully have thrive in my vivarium. Thanks in advance.

Jason · #2 (**permalink**) 05-24-2008, 09:41 PM

The reds are tricky for a new keeper and get to big for 2 in a 15 g tank imho. FBTs would be good and give you a chance to learn about aquatic plants and Land plants in the prosess. The whites also would be to big for that size of a tank. I useually hit the local Garden shop and pick a bunch of plants that i like the looks of. be sure to read the stick thay have stuck in the pot, it will normally tell you at what temp and light it likes the best or " reccomended" enviromental conditions. and also how much water to maintain in the soil. Its a long prosess and one that cant be answered in a single post. The animal dictates the enviroment and the enviroment dictates the plantlife. sorry if this makes no sence. Best of luck

truestar_92 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-24-2008, 09:53 PM

Thanks for the reply. I thought the tank would be too small for most frogs, but you think it'd be okay for 2 FBTs? If I decide to get them, and I probably will, how much of the vivarium should be water, I think I read that they like to swim more than most frogs? Thanks for the advice on the plants too.

Jason · #4 (**permalink**) 05-24-2008, 09:59 PM

2 FBT would be ok i think, as for the amount of water you could do a 60/40 water to land. thay will need some place to come out of and relax. "My first fire bellied toad setup(with pics)" link in the Toads section has pics of a set up, use that as a ref

truestar_92 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008, 12:20 PM

This question doesn't really have anything to do with frogs but I didn't want to start a whole new thread. I was wondering if this tank would be able to house 1 Gold Dust Day Gecko(Phelsuma laticauda) instead of the FBTs? I'm just not too interested in the FBTs and didn't originally plan on making this a mainly water setup.

Jason · #6 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truestar_92

I'd like to be able to keep 2-3 frogs, most likely 2 since I'm new at this and it's a smaller tank. What kind of frogs would you recommend? I really like RETF, but have heard some people say they're hard to keep and others say they're not that difficult as long as you keep them in the correct conditions. Would it be too difficult to house a pair of RETF even though I'm a newbie? I also like the White's Tree Frog, but I don't think it would appreciate a tank this small, and I'd definitely only be able to keep 1 of those by itself in a tank this small, right?

Another thing I was considering was a pair of Fire-Bellied Toads, and changing the construction of the vivarium to give them more swimming room and water. Would this be okay or would it be a little too crowded for their liking? I really just want to make sure I don't put the animals in a situation that isn't good for them, so I hope you'll help me out with these questions, and feel free to suggest any kind of Frog/Toad or plants you think I'd be able to keep and hopefully have thrive in my vivarium. Thanks in advance.

Now im confused ... what do you want to put in the tank?

truestar_92 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008, 08:25 PM

I want to know if I'd be able to keep a Phelsuma laticauda or some other kind of smaller Gecko in a tank this size? If I did I wouldn't put in any kind of frog or toad, just the Gecko. It's not that I don't like FBTs, it's just that I'd rather get a Gecko if I could. I just assumed that a tank this size was too small for anything other than smaller frogs, but after reading some articles I'm thinking it might be big enough, I just wanted to get your opinion on it first. Sorry for not making that clearer.

Jason · #8 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 04:25 AM

You will be pushing the Minimum size requirements for them. the min being a 20g tall tank. yours is 15g and longer then it is tall. unless it is a baby or smaller juveniles. But still taller is what your looking for.

truestar_92 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 04:32 AM

I've decided that I'm gonna hold off until I can find a good deal on a bigger tank since what I have is pretty much the bare minimum size for anything. Thanks for answering all these questions Jason, I really appreciate the help.