Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello. Right now we don't have any frogs but my son wants
one. We promised for his 10th birthday we would help him learn, setup a tank and then when the tank is ready he could get a tree frog. Well tomorrow is his birthday. So we have a 20gal tall tank. We have started by putting some rock (large plum size river rocks), with a layer of natural soil. Next we plan to get some live moss and plants for the tank. Also got some cork bark on the back of the tank for a bacground. Then we plan to place some large draftwood pieces for climbing on and a large rock water dish that we have. Now for the top. This is where the questions come in. We have a screen top and also one of those full fish tank lids w/ lights. What is best to keep the humidity and temperature at a good level? I thought maybe using the screentop with a 1/2 to 3/4 plexglass cover and a regular light
bulb? Of course misting the cage as needed (once to twice a week)How does that sound?

As for the frog we where thinking of a green tree frog or two to
start. Then if that goes well we can later get a larger tank (40-
50gal) and get him a couple of white tree frogs.

Thanks for any help.

Venus (acacy1a)

I would use the screen top and cover 50 % of it, with the aquarium light, if it is detachable from the aquarium top. I actually suggest a whites tree frog. They are easier to take care of, and you can touch them ( although you shouldn;t) more then green tree frogs.

For Greens or White's, the full screen lid will be best. I have no problem keeping the humidity where it needs to be - even for my tropical frogs needing 70% or higher - with full screen lids. You will have to experiment with the frequency of misting to obtain the desired humidity levels. For my GTF and WTF, I mist moderately in the morning and lightly in the evening - you'll have to see what works for you. Get one of the humidity guages to monitor it - don't bother with the strips as the first time they are inadvertently misted, they're ruined. I'll post the link to my website which has info on both species if you'd like to check it out. Feel free to ask any further questions and best of luck with your new froggie ventures. I'd also like to commend you on encouraging and helping your kiddo to go about entering this hobby the right way by doing the research and setting up the tank first!! It'd be great if everyone else did the same. Hope this helps a bit!
www.froggie.info

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Happy Frogging!!!

~Becki~

Hmm.. the only problem seems to be that you should grow plants in your own home for a while before you incorporate them into a tank to basically "grow out" any possible pesticides. Also, so I hear, use new soil and make sure it doesn't have perlite or fertilizers in it (this is why I just opt for Bed-A-Beast).

I also think that a Whites would be better for a child as they're hardier and larger. But they're still not meant to be regularly handled. Green tree frogs can be skittish, especially since most are wild-caught, unlike the Whites.

I think that temperatures and humidity is easy. Just get the appropriate guages and judge by them when to mist, and what wattage of heat lamp to use for the proper temps. And good luck!