Whites Tree Frog Questions re: Mold in Tank?

Discussion in 'Treefrogs' started by Momwithfroggieboys, May 7, 2006.

  1. Momwithfroggieboys

    Momwithfroggieboys Embryo

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    My two little boys were given a whites tree frog by a person that did not want to raise it anymore. We set up a nice tank for the frog, but now we have white fuzzy mold growing on the moss in the tank. We used Flukers Moss to set up. We have an Exterra Light for the tank, and we only have the light on about 10 hours a day. The temp ranges from 75-80 degrees. We have been misting the tank, and we have a good lid on the tank, only two holes in the lid about two inches across, which we have covered with screen for ventilation.
    Rocks in the bottom of the tank about 1 1/2 inches deep and then potting soil about 1 1/2 inches deep, then moss. The only water source in the tank is a small bowl(looks like a rock) that the frog likes to sit in and drink from. Are we misting too much, is the temp too high?
    Just a momma trying to save a froggie with her little boys. Any help would be appreciated.
     
  2. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  3. nuggular

    nuggular Well-Known Member

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    No need to worry about the mold. It shows up in tanks with high humidity. It will run its course and go away eventually. Most molds are non-pathenogenic and pose no threat to your frogs.

    Whites tree frogs do well at room tempuratures. No heat lamp is needed if the day temps stays in the low 70s and the night temp doesnt fall below 65F. Just a simple flourescent bulb will do for lighting during the day. Give them 14-15 hours of light a day. They are nocturnal and will spend most of there time active at night.

    Get rid of all your substrate. Moss on top is not good because it poses an impaction risk. Treefrogs lunge at there food and too many mouthfuls of moss and your frogs will get intestinal blockage (impaction) and that will lead to their death. Potting soil is also not good to use.

    I highly recommend using coco-fiber bedding. You can get it at most pet stores. It comes in bricks you put in water and they expand. Then you put that at the bottom of the tank. The rocks are a good idea for a drainage layer. Cover the rocks with the coco-fiber bedding and that is all you need. Keep the coco-fiber moist and pad it down nicely. If your frogs does eat a bit of it dont worry, it can easily be passed through the system. The brand of coco-fiber I use is called "Eco-Earth" "Bed-a-Beast" is another brand I know of.

    Also, the water dish is a great thing. Frogs dont drink, they soak up water through their skin. They also soak up oils and other things. Amphibians of all kinds should not be handled to much. They can soak up the oils on our skin which are harmful to them. To much handling can lead to a sick frog. Make sure to change the water dish everyday. They tend to poop in it. And clean water makes healthy frogs.

    Good luck. If you have any more questions, just ask.

    ~John
     
  4. JEFFREH

    JEFFREH Administrator

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  5. typeflow

    typeflow New Member

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    well mold usually forms when an enclosure is damp humid and most importantly does not have enough air circulation. you might want to cover half of the top of your tank and leaving the over half so circulation can be permitted. this should prevent molding.
     

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