Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone.. New member here... I just changed out my Red eye's home (currently housing seven in an 85 gallon custom, tall tank with all the trimmings)... I changed the substrate to what some of the books I have suggested, but after reading some of the older posts here, I realize it may not have been the best thing...

I put in the tank roughly two inches of drainage rocks (all are deep enough where they aren't exposed to the frogs) then roughly 2.5 inches of potting soil (the book suggested a potting soil with Sphangum, which is what I got), and then a layer of store bought moss on top of that..

Here lies the problem.. As someone who is relatively new to the hobby, I am not as knowledgable as many of the regulars on here. I noticed some people mentioning the dangers of soil, and the difference between fertalized and unfertalized.. If anyone can explain this to me, and let me know if my current setup is OK it would be greatly appreciated (by myself and the little guys and gals that have to live in it).

Thanks again from a newbie!

Ray

The fertilizers in the soil are basically toxic to the frogs. It will seep out of the soild and spread to the moss. The best thing to use is just Bed A Beast or any cocoanut fiber substrate. If you want moss on top I'd go with a live moss. The moss that you are using has been known to cause imaction because it can't be digested by the frogs.

I wish I had a huge tank like that!!! Hope to be building new enclosures once we get settled in after our move at the end of the month.

Hope I helped a little!
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Heather

You helped incredible Heather.. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question! My froggies thank you too!

Ray

Anytime Ray!! Feel free to email me too if you have any other questions.
EllasMommie@yahoo.com
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Heather

Hey, i just bought 3 babie red eyes also. I was interested in chatting with you guys about red eyes and to learn more about these exotic amphi's. my sn is oohowieoo or def. email me if you guys get bored at oohowieoo@incamail.com. THis is my website so feel free to check out some pictures i have up, it's in the "red eyes" section. http://oohowieoo.tripod.com/howie/
These pictures are about a week old, i'm glad to say they are much greener now. I guesss they were scared and confused and remained very brown for the first few days.