Please help newbie

[Juand15]

Hey guys.

its me again Juan i have sooooo many questions LOL

SO 1st i need to clear this out of my mind. I just learned the frogs i will be getting are 1/2" + and i think thats very small not sure how in the frog world that would be consider but for fish thats a tiny fish to transport lol.

with that said. next question:

Should i set up something smaller for them so they can get some growth? is that a bad size to get frogs?

also on a side note i see something under everyones name that has to do with Thanks? can anyone explain that to me.

Thank you

Juan

[Boondoggle]

It depends on what frogs you are getting. 1/2" is full grown for some frogs.

Smaller than what?

[patrickwv]

That does sound kind of small. You are probably getting froglets. They are a little more delicate, but with proper care they will thrive. You may want to quarantine them for a while before you introduce them to their new home. Froglets do better in a smaller container, both to reduce shock and to make their food source easily accessible. They usually don't like to hunt for their food as much as adults. You chose a good starting frog though. My leucs are my boldest frogs. They are always out and aren't afraid of me at all. They will hop up and eat flies from my hand. I have also seen in your past thread that the background didn't line up right. I would just make sure that you frogs can't get behind it. If there is a way leucs will find it. They love to climb and explore. Don't rush your build. You can always quarantine them when they arrive and take your time with your build. I rushed my first one and that mistake involved a total redo.

[Juand15]

Thank you Patrickwv.

Boon they are D> leucomelas.

okay so with that answered.
(i will proceed with my other questions)

I made a quick reference to the false bottom on the other thread. would an eggcrate bottom work?

the plan is to have it raise about 2" (or more if its needed) on top of the eggcrate i plan to have a piece of plexiglass drilled so the water can go through that way the susbtrate and or frogs dont get down there.

Would my idea like that work? has anyone had any experience building their own bottom piece?


Thanks Again for all the help guys.

Juan

[fieldsmith]

Fiberglass window screen or plastic cross-stitch backing would be an easier (and much cheaper) choice to put on top of the eggcrate...plus roots can get through them and tap into the water in the fb (which is a good thing). Just curious, why would you want to use plexi?

[Juand15]

Fiberglass window screen or plastic cross-stitch backing would be an easier (and much cheaper) choice to put on top of the eggcrate...plus roots can get through them and tap into the water in the fb (which is a good thing). Just curious, why would you want to use plexi?

Because i couldn't think of anything else hehehe. (figured it i drilled it than that would do it)

A BIG THANK YOU. for the suggestion of the window screen that is such a bright idea i don't know why i didn't think of it before.

Juan

[Philsuma]

Black window screen from Homedepot or Lowes and eggcrate (light diffusor) is located their...along with great stuff.

Lowes and Homedepot are like one-stop frog shopping.

[Juand15]

Black window screen from Homedepot or Lowes and eggcrate (light diffusor) is located their...along with great stuff.

Lowes and Homedepot are like one-stop frog shopping.

No lie haha. i got the Egg crate already as i use it in some of my tanks.

i will need to go there to get the screen.

Now. for supporting the Eggcrate above the ground i was planning on cutting and silicone 4 pieces of 1/2 pvc pipe to the 4 corners of the tank to hold the eggcrate up. any better ideas than the pvc?

[Philsuma]

PVC pipe is about the best way....they sell the PVC small sections in case you don't want to hacksaw a bigger tube.

[fieldsmith]

You may want to consider getting 5 pieces of pvc...1 at each corner (more like 1" in from the corner) and one in the middle...maybe even 2 in the middle depending on how big the tank is.

[RanaVenenosa]

Hi Juan

If the false bottom platform is smaller, then just zip tie the an inch worth of egg crate along the edge. I do this and it works fine. If you think you might put some heavy drift wood on the false bottom (mopani) then pvc supports (a few) near the center section will help avoid sagging. I personally like having a notch on pvc cylinder end that is glued to the bottom so water does not accumulate. I also like having more clay hydroton than egg crate false bottom for its natural bio filter properties. I have experimented with different designs and at the end of the day, I always find something I wish Id done different with each viv I have built. That being said, take your time and enjoy the process. You will find building the viv is as much a joy and watching the frogs in it.

-Scott

[Juand15]

Hi Juan

If the false bottom platform is smaller, then just zip tie the an inch worth of egg crate along the edge. I do this and it works fine. If you think you might put some heavy drift wood on the false bottom (mopani) then pvc supports (a few) near the center section will help avoid sagging. I personally like having a notch on pvc cylinder end that is glued to the bottom so water does not accumulate. I also like having more clay hydroton than egg crate false bottom for its natural bio filter properties. I have experimented with different designs and at the end of the day, I always find something I wish Id done different with each viv I have built. That being said, take your time and enjoy the process. You will find building the viv is as much a joy and watching the frogs in it.

-Scott

You may want to consider getting 5 pieces of pvc...1 at each corner (more like 1" in from the corner) and one in the middle...maybe even 2 in the middle depending on how big the tank is.

field, i have considered the extra piece of it for support.

hey Scott do you use the clay hydroton under the false bottom or on top. you said it filters so im picturing that you have it under.

so i still have to decide what to use as a substrate. i want it to look natural. so i will probably end up mixing a few things not sure what though so im open for any suggestions.

Also ran into a BIG problem. my friend who was going to get me started with a culture of 2 different species of flies can't help me out for the next two weeks as he is going to be very busy. would it be too much to ask if anyone is willing to set me up with a culture or two? (if you need me to pay you that will not be a problem)

My goal was to get started with the food source before i even get the frogs. and i have learned that there are a few different food cultures for them.

Thanks again!

Juan

[RanaVenenosa]

Juan
The egg crate portion is like a "box" w top and sides covered in window screen. The hydroton is placed along side and screen is laid on top of it and use small pebble stones to hold secure the screen over the hydroton. The substrate I put on top is reptibark with small chucks of misc placed natural charcol (from Homedepot), then I sprinkle a tiny amount of peat, then douse w 1-2 incnes of live oak leaf litter and few larger magnolia leaves (subsequent LL added as needed). All my vivs use at least one piece of mopani wood for its durability. My reason for using both forms of false bottoms was to allow for some water movement, since hydroton would cause some restriction of waterflow and any post viv adjustment activity without egg crate base would easily cause the base to shift & collapse if I had to remove the water pump etc...(assuming only hydroton). On the other hand, for your project, a 15 gal being so small and with no water feature, I think I would just use hydroton to keep it simple.

on FFs - dont start w two different flies just yet. I would pick Melanogaster, then once youve feel good, try your hand w Hydei. Personally, I dont use Hydei.

[Juand15]

Juan
The egg crate portion is like a "box" w top and sides covered in window screen. The hydroton is placed along side and screen is laid on top of it and use small pebble stones to hold secure the screen over the hydroton. The substrate I put on top is reptibark with small chucks of misc placed natural charcol (from Homedepot), then I sprinkle a tiny amount of peat, then douse w 1-2 incnes of live oak leaf litter and few larger magnolia leaves (subsequent LL added as needed). All my vivs use at least one piece of mopani wood for its durability. My reason for using both forms of false bottoms was to allow for some water movement, since hydroton would cause some restriction of waterflow and any post viv adjustment activity without egg crate base would easily cause the base to shift & collapse if I had to remove the water pump etc...(assuming only hydroton). On the other hand, for your project, a 15 gal being so small and with no water feature, I think I would just use hydroton to keep it simple.

on FFs - dont start w two different flies just yet. I would pick Melanogaster, then once youve feel good, try your hand w Hydei. Personally, I dont use Hydei.

Ususally i do fishroom stuff on the weekends, so tonight i will take some photos of the tank and the goodies i have picked up from various places.


Now Rana, would you know where i can get some of those FF? (good source?)

I have learned about dusting the flies. so im going to need the product itself also.

Thank you for the help Rana!


Juan


PS: I wish when i was starting the fish hobby years ago there were people like you guys here around to help!

[Philsuma]

Did you PM Kris ...who lives near Raleigh ?

[Juand15]

Did you PM Kris ...who lives near Raleigh ?

Yes i did in fact she answered this morning. she said no one local or in the area but some nearby. also mentioned the Exotic Animal Fair they hold there.

I tried calling the under the canopy farm but no luck with them left a message.

[Juand15]

going back to Rana.

found a picture of what i think you were telling me to do.
http://www.amphibiancare.com/frogs/arti ... rate03.jpg

so with that being said. if i proceed with such set up would i need to still get to the bottom to drain it as it gets full?

Juan

[Juand15]

I must confess. i haven't gotten my 1st set of frogs yet and i already want more hahah.

I wanted to clean the room before i snap some pictures and since im staying home tonight i will do some work on the Leucs tank.

Juan

[RanaVenenosa]

going back to Rana.

found a picture of what i think you were telling me to do.
http://www.amphibiancare.com/frogs/arti ... rate03.jpg

so with that being said. if i proceed with such set up would i need to still get to the bottom to drain it as it gets full?

Juan

I put small chucks of slate rock in one corner w 1 or 2 chucks of scrap cork bark on top. I can just lift up the cork, move a rock or 2 then siphon down the water level if it gets too high. Just one of many ways. Some people get fancy and have a pvc going to the bottom that is held in place by the egg crate. This "snake" hole allows you to insert the tube and drain water. If I was going to that much trouble I would have a drain hole drilled.

[Juand15]

going back to Rana.

found a picture of what i think you were telling me to do.
http://www.amphibiancare.com/frogs/arti ... rate03.jpg

so with that being said. if i proceed with such set up would i need to still get to the bottom to drain it as it gets full?

Juan

I put small chucks of slate rock in one corner w 1 or 2 chucks of scrap cork bark on top. I can just lift up the cork, move a rock or 2 then siphon down the water level if it gets too high. Just one of many ways. Some people get fancy and have a pvc going to the bottom that is held in place by the egg crate. This "snake" hole allows you to insert the tube and drain water. If I was going to that much trouble I would have a drain hole drilled.

this seems very simple.

see my plan was/is to have one PVC pipe extend up a bit but then the question came up how to drain that water as its only going to be about 2 or 3 inches of water if that. but i really do like your idea and i think i might steal it

thanks Rana!

Juan