Needing terrarium/frog help

[BIGT FROM F.B.]

Hey guys,

I have just emptied my 150 tall aquarium and am looking for something different to do with it. I have never had frogs before and am wondering how easy they are to keep, which species you can put with each other etc. etc.

Here's what I'm beginning with: T5 HO light fixture with pink grow bulb and a 10,000K spectrum bulb. Fluval FX5 canister filter with all the fixins' inside. The tank is not drilled, so I will either have to make the water very deep for the filter to pull the weight of the water, or have to use an internal pump altogether.

Problems I see: How will I make a deep substrate to accompany the water level without making the tank look terrible? Man made waterfall? Any advice and/or pictures on this matter will give me awesome ideas, I'm sure.

Will the FX5 pull a low water level up the tubes and have enough power to return to the tank?

[Deva]

I have my fire bellied toads in a 20 gallon with a Tetra Viquarium installed. They have done very well for two years. The viquarium is rather expensive, but I still think it was a very good investment. It looks good, it was easy to assemble, and the toads seem to enjoy climbing on the waterfall section, and some hide beneath it on the land section. I realize your tank is bigger than this, but I think it could still be utilized to help create a land and water section. I have had no problem with it.

The only issue with it is if the water level drops below a certain point, the pump makes a noise and so the water has to be constantly replenished.

As far as different amphibian species being kept together, I would advise against it, based upon what I have learned over the last 3 years at Caudata.org. See especially: Caudata Culture Articles - Species Mixing Disasters (http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/Mixing_disasters.shtml) Of course I understand you are only interested in frogs, not newts and salamanders, but it seems to me that an abundance of caution should be used.

[BIGT FROM F.B.]

Thank you. Still considering what to do. Haven't decided yet. Taking my time to see expense of set up and other issues.

[Deva]

That's very wise, BIGT.

[DragonsEye]

Never a good idea to mix species. "Rule of mouth" with frogs generally is -- if it isn't me, and if it moves, and I even think there is a chance it will fit in my mouth I eat it.

With a tank that size, you could have a lot of fun creating a more naturalistic viv. As far as the water issue goes, you'll probably be best going with a false bottom using eggcrate/light diffuser panels. Doing so will provide you with a means of having tubing underneath the substrate for siphoning or recirculating water. You can have the pump inside the tank however it does take a great deal more planning than an aquarium would. One of the most important aspects is to make VERY sure that you can EASILY access the pump or any filters used for maintenance/replacement. You would find yourself deeply regretting not doing so.