New to this stuff ~ Intro

Newber · #1 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 03:22 AM

I am new to the frog game and amphibians in general. I have kept fish all my life and I am looking to convert my 75g aquarium into a frog viv. The dimensions are 48"L, 18" W, and 24"Tall.

I would like to keep some Red Eye Tree Frogs, some Surinam Clown Tree Frogs, and some other species that can co-exist.... this is just my starting idea as I really don't know anything.

I need to hear from you guys on what you think of my idea and what you would do with a setup that size. And if my idea is plausable, how to start this off. Basically I have this tank not in use and am looking to take a venture into frogs. What do you guys think?

beckdg · #2 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 07:44 AM

i would go with one species at a time. the clowns sound like a good start.

Nighsliv · #3 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 09:08 AM

I second beck in this, start with one species and when you have everything running smoothly for a while MAYBE think about adding a second. That size tank should be able to house quite a few frogs depending on what species you decide on.
Just remember, the more frogs the more they eat and poop!

Newber · #4 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nighsliv

That size tank should be able to house quite a few frogs depending on what species you decide on.

That is why I was thinking of adding differant kinds. What about dart frogs. Will I be able to house multiple kinds of dart frogs in the 75g? I want to have an array of colorful frogs in the viv.

Also, this may be a dumb question but as I said, I am very new...... Are dart frogs poisonous??

Grimm · #5 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newber

That is why I was thinking of adding differant kinds. What about dart frogs. Will I be able to house multiple kinds of dart frogs in the 75g? I want to have an array of colorful frogs in the viv.

Also, this may be a dumb question but as I said, I am very new...... Are dart frogs poisonous??

If you are asking that you may want to do a LOT more research before getting any type of frog, let alone housing multiple species.

And no, in captivity they are not poisonous due to their change in diet.

Newber · #6 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nighsliv

I second beck in this, start with one species and when you have everything running smoothly for a while MAYBE think about adding a second. That size tank should be able to house quite a few frogs depending on what species you decide on.
Just remember, the more frogs the more they eat and poop!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimm

If you are asking that you may want to do a LOT more research before getting any type of frog, let alone housing multiple species.

And no, in captivity they are not poisonous due to their change in diet.

Thanks for the answer...... This is me doing my research right now... I have not gone to the pet store, nore have I even started getting the tank ready.

Before I dive in I am trying to find out what to zero in on for my specific interest.... I am not claiming to know a thing, hence the name Newb. Right now I am just asking for ideas of what you would do with a 75g and to be pointed in the right direction.

Grimm · #7 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 11:48 AM

I kinda screwed up a few things on my large 1st build. If I were to have a do-over, I would have practiced on a small 10 galon or something before diving into my large tank. Plus if you manage to have a nice 10 galon setup, it could easily house some thumbnail darts while you build the 75 galon.

beckdg · #8 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 12:20 PM

lots of one species... from one locale...

we can definitely help a lot in designing/building the right setup appropriate for the species you choose but picking your pet is better done on your own... especially since we're not a huge community.

i would check out sales at lots of herp related sites in their marketplaces and such. there should be pics of the animals for sale posted in most of the sale threads. narrow it down to a handful you're interested in and post back and we'll be happy to discus with you what might be best for you.

you can also check with local rescues and see what they have to offer for adoption to broaden your search.

please, by no means should you take offense to posts. we're a tight knit community and we're constantly asked the same question by newbies that don't want to hear that they shouldn't mix animals that they don't know on a personal level and have lots of experience with. in most cases people ignore the warnings and go about their business of putting their "pets" or maybe more appropriately in many cases their decorations in danger. often some time later one of us comes across the same person asking either here or another site what to do with their dying animals once it's too late and the damage is done.

you'll also have to consider food sources. for instance if you're considering dart frogs you'll need to know how to farm their food successfully since you can't just go out and buy fruit flies at a lps. yes, this does mean dealing with stinky jars full of maggots. you'll want to consider habitat also. some species REQUIRE plants and higher humidity that you'll have to maintain and care for also. there is a lot to think about and decide on when picking out an animal for your tank. the prices of plants and equipment for a tank that size could very easily amount to well over $1,000 to house certain species comfortably.

so, lots to think of.

i came here with the same intentions... only bigger. i have been here for some time and i'm still not confident enough to take a plunge into a mixed tank THE SIZE OF A WALK IN CLOSET.

at any rate... you'll want to know the care and requirements of any animals you decide to keep and be ready for them before they arrive. we simply cannot provide all the information you're looking for based on the information we have on your intentions, resources, goals, budget, etc.. even then giving you all the information you're looking for in a single thread would take our members quite a bit of time and effort.

a good way to start is to find animals that might be compatible together and build them separate enclosures to house them but until you post that those are your intentions it's likely you're not going to get too many suggestions. not only that but mixing is heavily frowned upon by many forums and keepers in general so you will definitely have to dig through the net to find combos that have worked for people... and that guarantees nothing since animals are individuals with individual problems and personalities.

at this point i have just begun to scratch the surface of why this idea is going to be difficult and not likely to get the best of responses. it's not your fault and you've done nothing wrong but we're faced by those that don't care as long as they get their box full of animals all too often to have a positive outlook on such a question before we get to know the poster asking the questions.

at any rate, i think you should start small too and save yourself some time, money, frustration. maybe a couple small darts, crested gecko, mossy frog, dwarf chameleons, retf's, phelsumas, etc. and see where it takes you on a couple tanks before diving into the 75 gallon. if you find you picked up something that doesn't fit into your final plan you can always sell or trade them and get something more suitable to your plans.

also keep in mind quarantine procedures and disease prevention, especially with the spread of chytrid becoming a worldwide epidemic.

good luck, check the stickies out and definitely research, research, research if you really want to make this happen.

froggsong · #9 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 03:41 PM

Well said by beck. Not all of us frown on mixing, however, those of us that don't DO frown upon mixing without experience. Until you know how to tell if a frog is sick, stressed, or happy and healthy, it's just not safe to mix them. This is coming from someone who has kept multiple mixed tanks. Sure, it's cool to look in and see all kinds of different animals, but it isn't worth it if you don't know how to tell they are sick and they start dying on you. Amphibians in particular show very little sign of stress or disease before it gets to a level that will most likely end in death. This is because a sick looking animal in the wild is easy prey. What I'm try to say is that without experience with each species individually, you'll have no way to tell when something goes wrong until it's too late.

Newber · #10 (**permalink**) 06-06-2010, 11:07 AM

Thanks for the input guys... I have a 10gallon tank lying around that I think I wil try to house just one frog in for now to gain some experience.

I would still like to try to keep live plants so I am going to do some research on that and I will update on how that goes when I start up the project!