Please
remember that this is only a suggestion. There are many different
ways to set up a successful habitat for your frog. The original idea
for a false bottom tank was obtained from Czar Helix. We actually
use this setup for our Red Eyed Tree Frog's and have found it to be
very successful. You will end up with a setup that is about 2/3 land
and 1/3 water. It acts as a kind of biological filter and almost
maintenance free, the only thing you will need to do is wipe the
glass down once a week. Although it is very elaborate some things
can be left out to make it easier. Please read on for further
instructions.
MATERIALS
1 x 20 gallon tank.
1 x sheet 2' x 4' egg crate.
1 x 2' x4' Non-metallic window screen/mesh.
4 x 2" pvc elbows.
2 x 2" pvc Tee's.
1 x Waterfall & water pump.
25LBS large Aquarium Gravel/Substrate.
1 x air pump.
4' airline tubing.
1 x airline tee.
1 x fogger.
3 x artificial lily pads.
1 x rain forest scenery tank background.
3' clear vinyl tubing (to fit waterfall).
assorted plants.
Temperature gauge.
Humidity gauge.
Total
cost about $300
CLEAN The
first thing you need to do is take what you can and scrub and clean
it thoroughly with anti-bacterial hand cleaner. We noticed that a
lot of the items we purchased had been sitting on store shelves and
were covered with dirt and dust.
START
ASSEMBLY Take
the 2' x 4' sheet of egg crate and cut it to fit in your tank. Put
the water pump on the bottom of the tank and cut a small hole in the
egg crate so that the tubing that re-circulates the water will poke
through. If you are using a waterfall either place the water pump on
the left or right back corner of your tank depending on what side
you want the water in your tank to be on.
Make
sure that the pvc elbow's and tee's are thick enough so that when
you place them in your tank along with the egg crate and screen/mesh
your water pump fits underneath, the 2" diameter will depend on
the size of your water pump. Place the 4 x 2" pvc elbows and 2
x 2" pvc tee's on the bottom of the tank and place the egg
crate on top. Cut the Non-metallic window screen/mesh to fit
perfectly over the egg crate this will stop the aquarium gavel from
falling through. We tell you to use the Non-metallic or nylon
screen/mesh because this will not rust like some other types of mesh
and will not infect the environment of your tank for your frogs to
live in. Cut a
small hole in the screen/mesh for the tubing to fit through and lay
that down over the egg crate. What is egg crate? It is a type of
panel that is used for lighting fixtures, it normally comes in 2 x 4
feet sheets and can be found at most building supply stores.
PLANTS Take
your assorted plants and either re-pot them or trim down the pots
they come in so that they will be buried just below the top of the
aquarium gravel, about 3 1/2 inches. The aquarium gravel will be
about 4 inches deep on the side of your tank that will be land. Make
sure that you wash the plants thoroughly to get rid of any
pesticides or any other harmful agents. Also sometimes plants are
potted in soil that contains small beads of polystyrene, make sure
that there are none of these in your potting soil as well as they
could work there way to the surface and harm your frogs if they eat
them. The reason we suggest that you use pots instead of placing
loose soil in your tank is because it makes for easier maintenance
and if one of your plants happens to die it can somewhat be easily
replaced without having to churn up a lot of soil.
Place your plants on the side of your aquarium that will be land. We
suggest putting the smaller and slower growing plants in front and
the larger faster growing plants in the back, this way when your
frogs are active you will be able to see them. Another idea is to
place a good piece of climbing furniture in your tank. This gives
your frogs a place to climb and get of the ground. If you have Red
Eyed Tree Frogs they will love this.
If
you need help on what plants to use, click here
to check out our plant guide.
The
first thing you need to do is take what you can and scrub and clean
it thoroughly with anti-bacterial hand cleaner. We noticed that a
lot of the items we purchased had been sitting on store shelves and
were covered with dirt and dust.
Take
the 2' x 4' sheet of egg crate and cut it to fit in your tank. Put
the water pump on the bottom of the tank and cut a small hole in the
egg crate so that the tubing that re-circulates the water will poke
through. If you are using a waterfall either place the water pump on
the left or right back corner of your tank depending on what side
you want the water in your tank to be on.
Make
sure that the pvc elbow's and tee's are thick enough so that when
you place them in your tank along with the egg crate and screen/mesh
your water pump fits underneath, the 2" diameter will depend on
the size of your water pump. Place the 4 x 2" pvc elbows and 2
x 2" pvc tee's on the bottom of the tank and place the egg
crate on top. Cut the Non-metallic window screen/mesh to fit
perfectly over the egg crate this will stop the aquarium gavel from
falling through. We tell you to use the Non-metallic or nylon
screen/mesh because this will not rust like some other types of mesh
and will not infect the environment of your tank for your frogs to
live in.
Cut a
small hole in the screen/mesh for the tubing to fit through and lay
that down over the egg crate. What is egg crate? It is a type of
panel that is used for lighting fixtures, it normally comes in 2 x 4
feet sheets and can be found at most building supply stores.
Take
your assorted plants and either re-pot them or trim down the pots
they come in so that they will be buried just below the top of the
aquarium gravel, about 3 1/2 inches. The aquarium gravel will be
about 4 inches deep on the side of your tank that will be land. Make
sure that you wash the plants thoroughly to get rid of any
pesticides or any other harmful agents. Also sometimes plants are
potted in soil that contains small beads of polystyrene, make sure
that there are none of these in your potting soil as well as they
could work there way to the surface and harm your frogs if they eat
them. The reason we suggest that you use pots instead of placing
loose soil in your tank is because it makes for easier maintenance
and if one of your plants happens to die it can somewhat be easily
replaced without having to churn up a lot of soil.
Place your plants on the side of your aquarium that will be land. We
suggest putting the smaller and slower growing plants in front and
the larger faster growing plants in the back, this way when your
frogs are active you will be able to see them. Another idea is to
place a good piece of climbing furniture in your tank. This gives
your frogs a place to climb and get of the ground. If you have Red
Eyed Tree Frogs they will love this.
