Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have my 29 gallon set up with my 2 azureus juvies (yes, I actually have frogs left, thank God) but the temp hovers around 70 degrees, and they aren't feeding very enthusiastically. What's the best way to increase the temp about 5-7 degrees without frying the frogs? I have a false bottom setup with a water feature.

Put a standard fish tank heater in the false bottom and set it to 73-75 degrees. Just make sure that you have some form of circulation and the heater isnt in direct contact with any material.

Rob

>>Put a standard fish tank heater in the false bottom and set it to 73-75 degrees. Just make sure that you have some form of circulation and the heater isnt in direct contact with any material.
>>
>>Rob

I have a pump sitting at the opposite end of the tank as the water feature, with a hose that runs to the waterfall, which then runs down a piece of driftwood. The pump moves quite a bit of water, so I don't think that circulation is a problem. The problem would be tearing up the false bottom, as the tank is already set up. Provided that I can find a way to do it, what wattage aquarium heater would I need? The water isn't very deep, only about 4 inches, and that's loaded down with gravel and the stuff for the false bottom.

Since you probably have anywhere from 2 to 7 gallons of water in the tank ( dependant on the size ) I would use the lower wattage units as you dont have to warm up that much water. I have a 10 and 30 gallon tank and I use a 50 watt heater in both of them and the tanks stay at the proper temps.
Luckily before I constructed my tank I planned this out well ahead. In the rear left corner of both tanks there is a 1/4 curl tube of cork bark that runs top to bottom and allows me to have access to the reservoir of water. Although I can barely fit my hand in it, I can manage to get a heater and a pump down in there. I will take some pics tonight and post them tomorrow.

Rob

>>Since you probably have anywhere from 2 to 7 gallons of water in the tank ( dependant on the size ) I would use the lower wattage units as you dont have to warm up that much water. I have a 10 and 30 gallon tank and I use a 50 watt heater in both of them and the tanks stay at the proper temps.
>>Luckily before I constructed my tank I planned this out well ahead. In the rear left corner of both tanks there is a 1/4 curl tube of cork bark that runs top to bottom and allows me to have access to the reservoir of water. Although I can barely fit my hand in it, I can manage to get a heater and a pump down in there. I will take some pics tonight and post them tomorrow.
>>
>>Rob

Well, I wanted to have access to the pump when everything was up, so I have a setup somewhat like yours. Instead of a piece of cork bark though, I have a 3" piece of PVC pipe with holes in the bottom. This is covered by one of those 'half log' corner hides, which is then covered with dirt. So I do have access to the bottom. There's enough room for the pump, but not much else. Still, I might be able to lift the pipe enough to slide a heater underneath it. I might be able to take some pictures tonight.

This is how I have been setting up most of my tanks.

Rob

Here's something you might consider. See if you can locate a heavy glass jar or vase, tall enough to hold an aquarium heater. Snug it up to the side and hide it with some type of mesh that won't rust or pose a hazard to your froglets. Make sure you cover the top to keep the critters out of it and make sure it never runs dry. Stuff it moss and plants, fill it with water, turn the heater on and there ya go. It should warm up things nicely.

I could be mistaken, though. Can anyone see anything wrong in my logic?
-----
Kristi
0.0.2 Azureus
0.0.2 Cobalts
0.0.2 Powderblues

70 should be fine as long as it warms up during the day with the lights. My tanks get as low as 68 at night, but then stay around 72-77 with the lights on.
-----
Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

I have been experimenting with undertank heat pads with some success. The best one I have found is the Exoterra medium heatwave heat pad. It is very thin and about 10" by 11". I placed it between two ten gallon tanks (pressed between them) that have my Auratus and my Azureus in them. The temperature increase about 5 or 6 degrees and the glass is just comfortably warm. There was also a definate increase in my Auratus activity levels. The Azureus were already very active but I have noticed they hang out closer to the warm side of the tank now.

Also, I tried a heat pad under the tank and did not see the temp increase more than a degree or two.

UTHs can also crack a glass tank if you place them on or near the the glass under the water level.

You could use flexiwatt tape. You would just need a small length, like 5 inches, which you would connect to a power supply that could be regulated. I use it for my leopard geckos, and it works great. You could use a lamp dimmer to regulate the power.