sand as substrate for pacman

[diabolique]

hey everyone,
i am planning on changing the substrate in my pacman frog cage to mostly dirt with a water dish. When i was at the vancouver aquarium I saw there pacman frog in a mixture of mostly sand and dirt (like 90/10). Would this be better than straight dirt? Cause i kinda like the way the sand looks?

please let me know i would like to redo his cage soon.

thanks
d

[marisa]

I have only kept one of these frogs, so I might be wrong but I do not think sand is a good choice at all. If I remember correctly they like things semi wet....and sand is drying. I can imagine it may even be irratating to them. But a mix? Maybe that would work. I am sure someone who knows more than I just told you will reply.

Marisa

[Wuntu Menny]

I've used aquarium gravel, sphagnum moss, and EcoEarth all with good results. I'm thinking sand is probably not a good idea. The gravel I used wasn't either, but it was small enough to pass right through the monster. I'd have to say the EcoEarth is likely the best choice these days.

Genus Ceratophrys originates from the pampas marshes in central and south america, they like to hunker down in the swampy muck and wait in ambush. I think the sand might be a little too abrasive for their delicate skin.

WM

[OhioHerper]

Hi
i keep pacmans and i keep them in a mix of sand,peat moss,spaghnum moss. Some ppl recomend useing cocunut fiber or bed a beast because they could potential get burnt if the acid leavel get 2 high. I have nevr had a problem wiht this though. But that up 2 u. I jsut change the substrate every 3 or 4 weeks or when the moss on top gets mixed in. i may not be correct but i think they come from the rain forest floor so sand probly isnt good since they like humidity, but go out there and do some reserch.

ohioherper

[eyespy]

Sand tends to rub off the protective mucus on their skin and leaves them more susceptible to infections and dehydration. It's pretty abrasive for the delicate skin they have. They do best with soft organic substrates such as soil, moss or coconut husk fiber. I've never seen acid burns on a pacman, they have relatively low pHs naturally and tolerate fairly acidic environments quite well.

[OhioHerper]

Eyespy
thanks for that info about the burns. That makes me feel better about useing that substrate.

ohio herper

[foman]

my pac frog is doing well in peat moss, but you gotta get the type with no fertilizer.

[raebug2000]

my adult pacman Bernadette lives in spagnum moss...you have to get the type without fertilizer....usually ( but not always) spagnum moss for orchids is perfect.

[Double J]

I swear by eco earth...it is the main component in soil mixes for all of my frogs....For my C. cranwelli, I use eco-earth as the substrate... and then I cover it with oak/maple leaf litter.. this helps to break up the monotony...... I also think that eco-earth is the best buy as it seems that you get the most volume for the price.

[Dani33]

From what I've been told, you can buy cocnut fibre from a hydroponics store allot cheaper than the pet stores. I have yet to see, as I still have a bag to go through!

[Double J]

Thanks for the tip...what are the coco-fibre prices like at a hydroponics store relative to a pet shop? Is it sold as a brick?

[Wuntu Menny]

I buy mine at a hydro shop for $2.50 for the brick size and $12.50 for the large block versus $7.50 and $40 respectively at the pet store. The product is identical except for the label.

WM

[burmer]

I've been using spaghnum moss since I got my pacman and haven't had any problems.