My First RETF Vivarium

Anaconda · #1 08-11-2009, 05:02 AM

Hello Everyone!

Other than in the Introductions section, this is my first post. I'm somewhat new to vivariums but I've read everything I can get my hands on, both on making the enclosure and RETF care (I've read every RETF post on this forum about twice, lol). My goal is to get the frogs from a reptile show that is coming in early October and I'd like to have everything set up and reaching an equilibrium by then. I just have a handful of questions for all of you before I buy all the equipment and begin setting up.

1.I plan on getting an 18x18x18 Zoo Med naturalistic terrarium and was wondering if anyone knows any chain retailers that might sell this for a decent price. The cheapest I've found is on Amazon.com for about $80.

2.What number of frogs would you recommend, 2 or 3?

3.Does anyone know of any non online retailers that sell hydroton? (I'm trying to avoid shipping wherever possible)

4.I've been looking at lighting and am trying to decide if the Exo Terra Compact Fluorescent 26wt 5.0 Bulb would be fine for both providing UVB for the frog (which some sayisn't required) and a good enough growing light for the live plants, or if I need to get some type of plant specific grow light in addition.

and lastly
5.I've noticed that a lot of people mention quarantining their frogs at first, both to watch them in case they were sick to begin with, and because larger enclosures are hard for young frogs to find food in. What are your thoughts and what kind and size of enclosure would you recommend for this?

Sorry for this being so long, I've just been reading and reading and these questions have still been plaguing me.
Thanks for having such a great community of kind and knowledgeable people!

-Nick

kevin · #2 08-11-2009, 08:18 PM

1.I plan on getting an 18x18x18 Zoo Med naturalistic terrarium and was wondering if anyone knows any chain retailers that might sell this for a decent price. The cheapest I've found is on Amazon.com for about $80.

I can't help you with that. I bought my 18x18x24 from https://www.petsolutions.com/, spent over $100 & got free shipping. I bought my 24x18x24 from Pet Supplies | Dog & Cat Supplies, Pet Meds | DrsFosterSmith.com Pet Products. Although, from foster and smith's I got 2 broken ones, which they replaced ASAP. I actually have one still sitting here that I have to drop off at Fedex.

2.What number of frogs would you recommend, 2 or 3?

To be honest, not sure with 18x18x18. I THINK you can fit 4, but don't quote me on that. I was pushing for 4 in my 18x18x24, but sadly, 2 died.

3.Does anyone know of any non online retailers that sell hydroton? (I'm trying to avoid shipping wherever possible)

I know Petco/Petsmart sells it. Home depot Might, I'm not to sure again.

4.I've been looking at lighting and am trying to decide if the Exo Terra Compact Fluorescent 26wt 5.0 Bulb would be fine for both providing UVB for the frog (which some sayisn't required) and a good enough growing light for the live plants, or if I need to get some type of plant specific grow light in addition.

You don't need UVB for the frogs. I have a 26watt 2.0 & my plants are growing like crazy, lol. I actually need to trim one. I'm sure you can get some type of 6700k kelvin light at home depot for much cheaper.

5.I've noticed that a lot of people mention quarantining their frogs at first, both to watch them in case they were sick to begin with, and because larger enclosures are hard for young frogs to find food in. What are your thoughts and what kind and size of enclosure would you recommend for this?

From the start I had 4 of mine in the 18x18x24 & they've found the food just fine.

Anaconda · #3 08-11-2009, 08:22 PM

Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it. As for the hydroton, I checked out my local Petco, Petsmart, and Home Depot and none had it or anything similar. I'll probably just get it off of LLLReptile with the rest of my supplies.
Sorry to hear about your frogs that passed away.

Anaconda · #4 08-12-2009, 05:38 PM

Hey guys, I was just wondering what is recommended for a nighttime viewing light for RETF's. I've read a handful of posts where people have said that the red light seems to bother the frogs, would a blue "moonlight" light be better?

kevin · #5 08-12-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anaconda

Hey guys, I was just wondering what is recommended for a nighttime viewing light for RETF's. I've read a handful of posts where people have said that the red light seems to bother the frogs, would a blue "moonlight" light be better?

I have a 15watt red bulb. At first they didn't seem to mind it....but they seem to really move around when the lights are completely off.

Anaconda · #6 08-21-2009, 12:08 AM

Does anyone know if it's alright/ beneficial to add horticultural charcoal to the drainage layer of a vivarium (like with the hydroton)? I've read a few conflicting things and would love to get some knowledgeable advice.
Thanks!

jclee · #7 08-21-2009, 08:13 AM

Activated charcol helps adsorb ammonia and odor. That is why I use it. I don't know for certain what its effects, if any, might be to delicate plants. (My plants are the cheap-and-indestructable kind.) I'm curious to know what you've read against it, or if it's just that some people say it isn't needed.

Anaconda · #8 08-21-2009, 04:12 PM

I've read statements ranging from what you said, to that it does nothing and isn't needed, to that it promotes heavy bacteria buildup.

Nighsliv · #9 08-21-2009, 06:57 PM

3.Does anyone know of any non online retailers that sell hydroton? (I'm trying to avoid shipping wherever possible)

Check any local retailers specializing in orchids and/or hydroponics. Might be under some other name but most LECA pellets should be alright.

And if you live in Kansas like me you might as well forget about it, for some reason no retailer in this state carries any except .5 pound bags at the pet stores about once every 5 months.

Anaconda · #10 08-21-2009, 08:22 PM

That's pretty much the problem I was having and I wasn't too keen on the idea of spending extra $ on top of the hydroton to get it shipped. I finally found a place about 15 minutes from my house that deals in hydroponic supplies and picked up a bag. The reason I asked the recent question about charcoal is that I now realize that my bag of hydroton might not be enough to adequately cover the bottom of my terrarium. I have been trying to find out if mixing horticultural charcoal in with the hydroton would be a good idea (as the charcoal is about a 1/3 the price).