Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm wanting to get a White's Tree Frog. I've been doing a lot of research, but everything I've read says something different, especially when it comes to heating and lighting. If anyone could clear this up and give me more accurate information, I'd really appreciate it.

This is another board I go to and there are some people with nice setups there.
Reptic Zone Forum

I have had a one for six years. I have kept it in a room that is heated. day temps should be around 75 - 85F and it can be cooler at night. Are you asking about how to set up and heat the cage? I have used overhead heat lights and ceramic bulbs to heat before and that works fine just check temps. You dont want to use undertank heaters for a tree frog, useless. Lighting, the frogs dont need it. Regular room light from windows is fine, but NO direct sun. If you want a nice planted vivarium then some sort of grow lights would be needed. But I wouldn't recommend that for Whites they dont need a lot of humidity. Mine is set up with a soil type bottom and some cork bark in the corners to hide behind when sleeping. A water dish to soak. the dimensions of the cage is 36"H 25"W 20"D. The top is a screen to allow for good air circulation. The front is glass that slides open and the rest of it is wood that has a vernier on the inside that is a green marble color and the frog blends in nicely.

I am also wanting to get 1 or 2 White's tree frogs. I've got a whole list of questions. First, is incosistent lighting a problem for them? Like me being up late, and waking up early. The room has ok natural light, so 7 am sun rise along with middle of the night studying.
With the tank I'm making, it'll be 1'D, 2'W, 2-3'T out of glass. Are these ok or should it be deeper? Also, with limited space, the tank will be up kind of high, especialy if it's 3 feet tall. Do you have any help on how to make a door, sliding, swing?
For the floor, I would like to use about 1" smooth river rocks. They would seem to be the easiest to clean. If I shouldn't use them, what other options are there that could be cleaned and reused? I know what ever it is, it needs to be big enough to not be swallowed.
Is it dificult to find an Australian or blue phase frog? And is it possible for the breeder to know better if a frog is male or female?
When the male frogs call, is it random? Does time of year, day, what they hear around them, affect this? and can you sleep through it?
Is cycling them required?
That's a lot and thanks a bunch if you can answer all of that!

I've got a whole list of questions. First, is inconsistent lighting a problem for them?
-If you have a timer on the lights above the tank and the rest of the room at night isn’t light up like Las Vegas you will be fine.

With the tank I'm making, it'll be 1'D, 2'W, 2-3'T out of glass. Are these ok or should it be deeper? Also, with limited space, the tank will be up kind of high, especialy if it's 3 feet tall. Do you have any help on how to make a door, sliding, swing?
-More height the better, they will sleep high during the day on leaves or something sturdy and come down at dusk and dawn to hunt. If you can make the tank deeper than 1’ I would suggest you do because whites do jump down to grab things and you don’t want them falling into the glass. Sorry no suggestions on making a door, but all post pictures of the terrarium im making now that is kinda like what you are considering.

For the floor, I would like to use about 1" smooth river rocks. They would seem to be the easiest to clean. If I shouldn't use them, what other options are there that could be cleaned and reused? I know what ever it is, it needs to be big enough to not be swallowed.
-River rocks are great, the frogs love to hunt on them. You could also try ground up coco husk or washed magnolia leaves. Just no small pieces of bark or orchid substrate.

Is it difficult to find an Australian or blue phase frog? And is it possible for the breeder to know better if a frog is male or female?
-It is hard to tell if it is actually a blue phase frog because the color variation changes so much day to day. It is possible to tell on adults male or female but I don’t know if you are looking to acquire an adult.

When the male frogs call, is it random? Does time of year, day, what they hear around them, affect this? and can you sleep through it?
Is cycling them required?
-After heavy misting they call, or if it is raining outside, or any time Steven Colbert is on. Very strange. It has never woken me up. I don’t know if I would consider it required to cycle them, prolly would be to breed them.

Wow, thanks for answering all of those. Doesn't sound like anything i couldn't handle. Now i just have to do it. I think I will use glass on the sides, bottom, and back but use acrylic for the front so i could just cut out a door and screw in my own hardware for it. Then go ahead and make it 3' tall. Thanks again.

There are some good ebooks available. Worth while getting information from a prove breeder and keeper before you invest your heart in one of these gentle amphibians.
www.e-pond.info