Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone,

I just finished building my new tank from scratch. I have a false bottom setup and all my pumps, filters, and everything else is outside the tank. I also have a humidifier for fog in the mornings but I have a question about water.

I have seen several different places saying distilled water is fine (even recommended) and some places that say never use it. I am not going to use it for the "pond" water they soak in, that will be spring water, but for the humidifier. I just want to make sure that the fog being distilled water is okay for dart frogs.

Thanks guys.

Distilled water is fine for a humidifier. The problem some people see with distilled water is that it contains no electrolytes or minerals, so a frog that is soaked in it may loose it's own electrolytes through its permeable skin membranes, by osmosis. That's not totally true. Frog skin isn't just a permeable membrane, but also has an active system that conserves its own electrolytes at work, as well. Then again, distilled water rapidly takes up new electrolytes from the substrate, air, dusts and such, so doesn't remain totally "distilled" for long. While it is better balanced to have a "spring water" type water system over all, simply misting with distilled water is not going to be detrimental. I won't harm the frogs, won't create mineral deposits on the plants or glass, nor will it clog the mister. Go ahead and use it.
-----
Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

D. auratus blue, auratus Ancon Hill, galactonotus orange, galactonotus yellow, fantasticus, reticulatus, imitator, castaneoticus, azureus, pumilio Bastimentos. P. lugubris, vittatus, terribilis mint green, terribilis orange.