Hi everyone,

First real post so sorry if I sound like an idiot

I have been keeping two map turtles for a while and I am interested in getting some frogs.

I like the look of red eyed tree frogs and I have also seen some brightly coloured varieties that I think my kids would love.

Some of the reading I have done has suggested that, especially the red eyed frogs are best kept in groups, usually two males and a female.

I would be greatful if anyone could let me know if this is correct and give me a rough idea of how much it would cost in order to get set up with the right environment to keep them healthy.

Thanks folks.

Red eyes are generally very sensitive and fickle (just ask redeyedanny and many others) so i dont know many people that;d recommend them for a 1st amphib, esp if you're kids are going to be upset if they die. They do do best in groups, and to be honest, you want to get enough so that if you lose a couple you're not going to end up with 1 on its own, so get as many as the enclosure will allow. Also, Red eyes are most often wild caught or captive farmed, and they have massive parasite loads which doesnt help their survival rate

Treefrogs can be kept as simply as a paper towel substrate with a large shallow water dish and some nice pieces of wood and fake plants to provide coverage and security, all the way up to elaborate naturalistic vivs, like these that I have for my Whites tree frogs...





with whichever set-up style you go for, what you really want with frogs, esp treefrogs is a nice big, tall viv. the exo-terra 18X18X24" tall vivariums like in the photos above would be good for a group of 3-4 red eyes, or up to 3 Whites

I do have to suggest that you have a look at Whites Tree Frogs, heres my caresheet for them to give you an idea of care (most things can be applied to all treefrogs)
Whites Tree Frog caresheet
They really are the most personable frogs, so funny to watch and the most handlable and hardy too - thinking of your kids there mainly

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Whites Tree Frogs, Litorea caerulea (Australian and Blue)
Crested Geckos, Rhacodactylus ciliatus
Mossy chahoua Geckos, Rhacodactylus chahoua

Golden Retriever
4ft Tropical Community tank
2 tier mixed Koi pond

Thanks soo much for that.

My initial interest in red eyes was sparked by a recent visit to a visit Costa Rica website but I am more interested in the well being of the frog than the one the kids saw on the internet.

I'm sure they will absolutely love whites and I'm sure they will be a welcome addition to our household.

Can I just say your set up looks ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT !!! Would you be able to provide me with a rough price guide of how much a well equipt and interesting (for frogs and family) viv, inc frogs, is likely to cost?

NB. I would prefer to pay more if it meant frogs would be happier.

haha thanks, its a labour of love with things like my vivs, i cant count how much time i've spent fiddling in them! I know what you mean with Red eyes, i'd love to get some one day, have an enormous 6ft viv all live plants and trees and have a big colony, but thats for the future! lol

Whites are so amazing! Just look at this face... lol







I personally can see a big change in my whites when they are in their big viv. I am at uni so for summer when i stay at my parents the animals come home and up until last week (when i made another natural set up) they spent the summer in a more basic set up, they just seem to use all the space in the natural one and love roaming and climbing around...

As for money... lets see...
3 X Whites tree frogs were about £60-70, i think my 1st 2 were £20 each from a show, and my baby blue was £20 plus £10 courier from a private breeder (who i can recommend)
1X 18X18X24" tall Exo terra = £60, rrp is 70 but talk to your local shop, mine gave me a better price
rocks for substrate = free, just sterilise with boiling water
background, made from expanding foam and silicone, i used 2X500ml expanding foam (about £10-15) and 2 large caulking guns of aquarium safe silicone (about £20, much cheaper online than in shops), and coco-fibre or vermiculite free compost (less than £5)
Wood and vines, about £10-15 for each viv I suppose, but im always adding
Plants, really lost count. Its trial and error to see which live but you could always use fake, or stick to airplants and pothos! theyre indestructable!
water pump/filter = £20
Heat mat and thermostat = £20 ( i got 2nd hand)

You also need, water conditioner (i.e. exo terra aquavite) to remove metals and chlorines, Tree frog dust to supplement livefood, crickets everyweek (a tub last about a week - week and a half for my 3, i feed every other day) and i swear by Beaphar reptile safe distinfectant, spray viv decor, your hands everything with it! its great!


Edit: wow have i spent that much! lol

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Whites Tree Frogs, Litorea caerulea (Australian and Blue)
Crested Geckos, Rhacodactylus ciliatus
Mossy chahoua Geckos, Rhacodactylus chahoua

Golden Retriever
4ft Tropical Community tank
2 tier mixed Koi pond

Heres a construction diary I just made for a competition on a different forum, that one is for Crested geckos, but the vivs are identical, except there's no need for a laybox in a frog viv!! haha

The Pangea Forums

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Whites Tree Frogs, Litorea caerulea (Australian and Blue)
Crested Geckos, Rhacodactylus ciliatus
Mossy chahoua Geckos, Rhacodactylus chahoua

Golden Retriever
4ft Tropical Community tank
2 tier mixed Koi pond

A gent and a scholar

Thanks so much.

Gonna have to sign off for tonight as I need to get up for work early (in order to pay for all this)

Thanks for all the info.

I will let you know how things progress

I'm a laydeee and I do laydeee things (Best little britain impression) ... just so ya know! hehe


No probs, drop me a pm if you've got any issues!

Sarah

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Whites Tree Frogs, Litorea caerulea (Australian and Blue)
Crested Geckos, Rhacodactylus ciliatus
Mossy chahoua Geckos, Rhacodactylus chahoua

Golden Retriever
4ft Tropical Community tank
2 tier mixed Koi pond

Sorry mate!

Oops, please delete.