Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What do you think of this setup...I have a 20gal. high tank, I am planning on keeping one White's Tree Frog. I had the idea of turning the tank on its side so that it will be taller than wider, and using the screened top as a door...some how hinged or and/or locked. I'm not sure the full screen door would be good humidity wise so I was thinking of making the door like a screen patio door would be...a door divided in two that gives the option of having screen and glass (plexi in this case), all screen, or all glass...depending on the humidity level needs. Could this be done? Also about lighting, since the top would be glass ..and pretty thick would putting a light on the top like normal work, I know it would work for lighting purposes but what about heating purposes...would it not get hot enough because of the glass thickness or would it get too hot being right on the glass...or could I use a lamp and just shine it into the front screened area? Inside there will be rocks (not gravel), Bed-a- beast, flukers moss, driftwood pieces, water bowl or two (maybe one used for a fogger...good idea?), bendable vines, live plants,and will use a cricket rock thing to despense crickets.

I wouldn't turn the 20 on its side. It is a heavy tank, and might not be stable for starters. You will not be able to use a UVB bulb on the top- UVB bulbs won't work if they have to pass through glass. You will have trouble heating the tank with a regular bulb too. There really is no good reason to put the tank on its side, in my opinion. I have had 2 whites in a 20 for 12 years without a problem. You won't gain any additional space by placing the tank on its side- you will just loose floor space.

I agree. While it may be recommended for some tanks, a 20 gal is not a big, long tank. I have also read in many places that wtf need good ventilation, and mine seem to be doing quite well with a metal screen top fitted to the tank. Don't overcrowd the tank either. For the crickets, remember that a WTF will eat until it explodes. Just keep a carrot or something in a corner or something, the frog won't touch it. It would be better if you could to get the crickets out every morning anyways. WTF just kinda jump through anything and everything in their way, mine crash around through the plants at night and its loud enough to wake me up. (for all that, I think its planned!) Climbing space, maybe a piece of wood that goes up towards the top that is thick enough to comfortably hold the frog up is good. There is a post about a whites about two posts down, somewhere near the end is talk about a fogger, I'm not about to repeat everything, but it's worth checking out. Keeping the humidity up could be as simple as misting the tank in the morning and at night. Works for me, even in winter months. A live plant or two will also help keep the humidity up. Again, the biggest thing with a wtf is not to overcrowd the tank. Also, since it will probably sleep on the glass, provide it with a corner that is sheltered from the light during the day, with a fake plant, a repti-hammock, a pot, anything really. Oh, and don't use rough bark, that's fine for herps with tough skin, but frogs are sensitive and it could cause more harm than good.

Ok, I've just wrote you a book. Hopefully I haven't repeated to many things that you already know!!
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I think my frog owns a megaphone....

ok well before getting a chance to read the replys I went ahead with my idea and set up the tank vertically, I was skeptical about if it could hold the weight but it seems to be doing ok. The problem is the tank is very crowded, only two plants in there but they are big ones which takes alot of the floor space away and doesn't really leave room for cricket hunting. It allows for the frog to climb higher limbs. As for the lighting I thought about shining a clip on lamp through the front. The setup to me actually looks more like something maybe for dart frogs- not that I really know what a good dart frog set up is really but it just seems like it would be a good setup. Is there anything that can be done to help support the bottom glass? If this is just a reallly bad idea I will change it back to the intended horizontal....I really do like the setup as is though

well, personally I would change it to the other way, space for the frogs is important as they can get fairly large. Secondly, you have to take the little things into account. When you water the plants, will the water go right through the screen? Oh, and when the crickets breed in there (which is always a possibility) will the little guys escape and populate your house? I know it probably took alot of time and effort to get the tank the way it is now, and you know, that glass may never give way, but for the best interest of your frog's environment and everything, I would change it. My opinion of course.
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I think my frog owns a megaphone....

What is the normal way to prevent soil from not going under the screening? I was thinking about making a plexi glass box (pot) for the plants that i can take out of the cage easily if need be. As for the crickets populating, there would be a plexi glass or glass door with a small vent are, not big enough for crickets to escape and the door would be higher than the crickets could jump out.

Here's a picture of the setup, actually I've went ahead and changed the setup ...still vertical but not so crowded, I dont have a new pic yet.
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Sorry, pic didn't work, but I'm glad that you made things less crowded. As for keeping everything in, well keep your plants in pots really, if you have the room. And make sure that whatever you use to keep the bugs in can't be climbed. I really don't have any suggestions, your plexigass idea is good, make sure it doesn't fall appart everytime you open the screen and its all good. Oh, and crickets are very small at first. ^^
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I think my frog owns a megaphone....