11-03-2008, 11:36 AM
hi all - this is my first post on here. I am from the UK.
I have been heavily involved in reef-keeping for the last 5 years but I am seriously considering setting up a small frog tank as a new challenge. I was actually thinking of breaking down and replacing my 40(UK)gal reef completely, but after much thought I'd like to start with a small PDF set-up first and see how I go. I am having major trouble convincing the wife at the moment but she'll come round!
Here's a recent shot of my reef btw.
Due to past reef upgrades I have a couple of spare glass tanks... the one I am planning to use for frogs is a 30x30x45(h)cm tank - approx 6 UK gallons. It has a clip-on 18watt PC light (plus timer) and a glass cover. A second light could be added if required. I also have a 32x16x16" (30 UK gal) Juwel Panorama tank sitting empty in my garage (doubt I'll be allowed to bring that one into play yet though!). I also have an RO/DI unit which I guess may be useful.
I have a few questions about setting-up... hope someone can help!
Firstly, I'd like to go for an 'ecosystem' type planted set-up in the 6gal but what kind of plants could I keep under an 18watt PC tube? would I need another light? would a bulb designed for aquatic plant use be OK? Anyone recommend a specific combination of plants, they need to be small varieties of course... I am thinking a couple of small bromeliads, an orchid, some ferns, mosses, maybe a climber and some low growing plants.... I'd like a couple of bits of smooth slate too. Would like to incorporate a mister on a timer but I guess I will hand mist until I get a feel for it. As mentioned, the cover is glass. It doesn't fit tightly so I think I'll need to work on this. Will it be necessary to incorporate mesh or even fans to provide ventilation? Is it necessary to have a humidity/temp monitor in the tank? (if so, any specific model?). The tank would be in my studio so the temp never really goes outside the 70s...maybe dips into the high 60s on a cold night. Would I need a heat source? What kind of maintenance would a tank like this require? is there a risk it could smell or produce excessive condensation in the room?
In terms of the decor, I have been doing plenty of web research and I like the idea of using silicone, expanding foam and small bits of mangrove wood to create an interesting background. I guess I need a couple of inches of clay granules, then a membrane, then an inch of suitable soil? Is it necessary to keep a certain amount of water in the base layer constantly? I believe this needs to be a half inch lower then the membrane? I'd like to go for a water feature - maybe a pool at the front and a waterfall fed by a small eheim pump.
What kind of frogs would you recommend for such a set-up? I like them all but some of the thumbnail species look particularly nice. Is it possible to get these species as froglets? Is it possible to buy as tadpoles and to introduce them into the aquatic section of the tank. If fed, would they survive and leave the water?
Anyway, once I have completed a few things, I am planning to set-up the tank and let it mature for several weeks during which time I will be monitoring various parameters... any input on the general plan is welcome. I hope someone can help me out on some, if not all of the questions. I actually took some shots of the pdfs at the Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire, UK a couple of years ago (I live just down the road from there). Here's one.
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8)
I have been heavily involved in reef-keeping for the last 5 years but I am seriously considering setting up a small frog tank as a new challenge. I was actually thinking of breaking down and replacing my 40(UK)gal reef completely, but after much thought I'd like to start with a small PDF set-up first and see how I go. I am having major trouble convincing the wife at the moment but she'll come round!
Here's a recent shot of my reef btw.
Due to past reef upgrades I have a couple of spare glass tanks... the one I am planning to use for frogs is a 30x30x45(h)cm tank - approx 6 UK gallons. It has a clip-on 18watt PC light (plus timer) and a glass cover. A second light could be added if required. I also have a 32x16x16" (30 UK gal) Juwel Panorama tank sitting empty in my garage (doubt I'll be allowed to bring that one into play yet though!). I also have an RO/DI unit which I guess may be useful.
I have a few questions about setting-up... hope someone can help!
Firstly, I'd like to go for an 'ecosystem' type planted set-up in the 6gal but what kind of plants could I keep under an 18watt PC tube? would I need another light? would a bulb designed for aquatic plant use be OK? Anyone recommend a specific combination of plants, they need to be small varieties of course... I am thinking a couple of small bromeliads, an orchid, some ferns, mosses, maybe a climber and some low growing plants.... I'd like a couple of bits of smooth slate too. Would like to incorporate a mister on a timer but I guess I will hand mist until I get a feel for it. As mentioned, the cover is glass. It doesn't fit tightly so I think I'll need to work on this. Will it be necessary to incorporate mesh or even fans to provide ventilation? Is it necessary to have a humidity/temp monitor in the tank? (if so, any specific model?). The tank would be in my studio so the temp never really goes outside the 70s...maybe dips into the high 60s on a cold night. Would I need a heat source? What kind of maintenance would a tank like this require? is there a risk it could smell or produce excessive condensation in the room?
In terms of the decor, I have been doing plenty of web research and I like the idea of using silicone, expanding foam and small bits of mangrove wood to create an interesting background. I guess I need a couple of inches of clay granules, then a membrane, then an inch of suitable soil? Is it necessary to keep a certain amount of water in the base layer constantly? I believe this needs to be a half inch lower then the membrane? I'd like to go for a water feature - maybe a pool at the front and a waterfall fed by a small eheim pump.
What kind of frogs would you recommend for such a set-up? I like them all but some of the thumbnail species look particularly nice. Is it possible to get these species as froglets? Is it possible to buy as tadpoles and to introduce them into the aquatic section of the tank. If fed, would they survive and leave the water?
Anyway, once I have completed a few things, I am planning to set-up the tank and let it mature for several weeks during which time I will be monitoring various parameters... any input on the general plan is welcome. I hope someone can help me out on some, if not all of the questions. I actually took some shots of the pdfs at the Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire, UK a couple of years ago (I live just down the road from there). Here's one.
[/img]
8)