I am really keen on starting with the setup for my Whites and your care sheet has been a big help.

I need to clarify a few things, sorry if I sound stupid but....

When setting up the base and substrate: I am keen on using moss as the substrate as it seems more natural for the frog and it will obviously be more pleasing to the eye.

Should I be putting around a couple of inches of shingle at the base and then tapering it down at one end inoder to make a pool. (I would like to set up a waterfall and possibly a fogger in this). Do I need to make sure all the shingle is covered by the moss or would it be advisable to leave some uncovered leading into and at the base of the pool? Would it be harmful to the frogs?

The bulb used for lighting should be 50w in order to provide warmth: Is this still necessary if using heat mats? If not what would you reccomend to provide daylight substitute?

With regard to the heat mat if that is under the shingle and moss will it provide sufficient heat?

And finally: When changing the water would I be syphening this out with a hose and then topping up and is Amquel suitable for treating the water?

Sorry if I am not understanding things properly it has been a hell of a week at work

I can't help too much because I just got my White's a few days ago so am still learning! I've read so much different info it's been hard trying to figure out what I really am supposed to do!!

I use forest floor as a substrate with sphagnum moss on top. I don't have a pool for my frog and just have a shallow water dish for him to bathe in. I was told by some fab people on here to use a light to provide a day/night cycle for my frog and I have my heatmat stuck to the back of the tank because my frog spends most of his time plastered to the glass or in the plants about halfway up rather than on the floor...

That's the only info I can give and like I said - I haven't created a pool or anything (my frog's only about an inch anyway so I'd be paranoid about him drowning!) - but there will be plenty of people on here who can give you some great advice.

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"Keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you're up to..."

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2 White's Tree Frogs, Albert & Madge
1 African Clawed Frog, Richard
2 Sailfin Plecos, Angus and Geoffrey
Too many tropical fish!

Just butting in again...

Gecko - am I okay with that - not adding a pool I mean?

__________________


"Keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you're up to..."

------------------------------------------------
2 White's Tree Frogs, Albert & Madge
1 African Clawed Frog, Richard
2 Sailfin Plecos, Angus and Geoffrey
Too many tropical fish!

Thanks PinCushionQueen even being a bit of a beginner makes you hugely more knowledgable than me

Hi pauls! sorry ive not been on in a few days, preparing for a fieldcourse im going on tomorrow, so i wont be much use for about 3 weeks im afraid!

ok... (lol)
You sound like you've got the right idea for the substrate, i'd recommend using gravel (or even better hydroleca- b&q do it) with a layer of membrane (like weed membrane or similar - again b&q) and then a thin layer of coco-fibre. You can put the moss onto that, but if you want to add some live plants the cocofibre'll help! When you build your pool, the gravel can be uncovered yes, but make sure its not really teeny stuff. I have actually just found a great substrate option, which is cocoearth, with one of those stone sheets (poundland do them) on top. It is like a tile of mesh, with large pebbles attached, the cocoearth covers the mesh and you're left with cocoearth and pebbles, with no rish of impaction!

2. i've been told by lots of people that bulbs can be too drying, so i use a heatmat. I stick mine to the back left hand corner, so its not under the viv, but on the side. the heatmats actually say 'not for use to heat water' so i try to keep mine away from the bottom. as for light cycle, any low wattage bulb on a timer will do, or you can splash out on a fluorescent

3. if you set up the viv with about 5inches of water like mine, and have a pump with a filter nestled into the substrate, then you shouldnt need to change thew water very often at all. I have an electric syphon that i use, but only once every 4 months or so! I have no idea if that conditioner would be safe, i use Aquatize

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Whites Tree Frogs, Litorea caerulea
Crested Geckos, Rhacodactylus ciliatus
Mossy Geckos, Rhacodactylus chahoua
Golden Retriever
4ft Tropical Community tank
2 tier mixed Koi pond

Thanks again Gecko,

You are a great help.

All the viv is now ordered, just trying to find somewhere to set up.

Think I'm gonna get all the bits done and leave for a few days before introducing the frogs.

Should give it all chance to settle.