New ADF Owner! Help! Clueless!

[serissime]

Sometimes water that does not have enough surface disturbance (aka unfiltered tank or very weak filter) will develop a film of protein on top. Or something like that. I read about that a long time ago. I realized my actual problem was that when you use too much Prime, it can create a film and even make bubbles. It's not dangerous if you are accidentally overdosing a little bit, but it is a little bit unattractive, ha. The film is probably just something like that.

API test kit is the way to go. At the very least, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH (API still)

I use pool filter sand because it's fairly heavy and inexpensive. I found it at a pool supply store (obviously). Oh, and when you do get into live plants, you will probably need a light fixture

 

[goldfish247]

The API Master test kit is really good, it works really well! I'm not sure about the sand, but it should be alright. Goodluck and welcome to AC!

 

[froglover007]

Don't Worry

Hi there, my infant daughter recently received a 2.5G (10L it seems) tank, two African Dwarf Frogs, a bunch of plants, gravel, and what have you for her birthday five days ago. The person that gifted these things assembled the tank for us plants (fake) and all and tossed our new pets into the water (after tap water conditioning with AquaPlus). I have reason to believe after doing some research on these little dudes that this setup may not be ideal, nor is it safe for them. I googled the buddies and couldn't find any one source that is definite on what I need to do to take care of them properly.

Right now we are feeding them Bloodworm tabs, and they seem quite happy. One of them is quite lazy, and one quite active. Neither seem to be suffering from any ailments and both eat regularly. I am a COMPLETE aquarium newbie, but I want what is best for the little dudes, and I want to have them around for quite some time.

So, my questions!

1) Tank Cycling: Do I need to do this? How do I do this? Many of the articles about ADF's don't mention it. I don't have any equipment to test the water, the only thing we recieved other than the water conditioner was 'Cycle' - which says it maintains a healthy tank and reduces loss of fish(?).
Although it would be better to cycle, the frogs are not too sensitive towards this.

2) Tank Filter: Do I need a tank filter? Again, most sites say I don't require one, but I am not so sure.
You should have one to keep the water clear, but as I said again cycling is not a huge issue. The surface agitation tends to scare my frog so I only turn mine on at night.

3) Tank Size: It is a small tank. Do they need more room? What is recommended? Can I cycle a new tank and keep them in the current? (Do I have to cycle?)
They should be fine. Mine lived in a tank that size for 8 years before I got a new tank.

4) Gravel or Sand: I read that they like to dig holes in sand to sit, and I wonder if its better for them. I also read that they can ingest it while they eat, which is bad(?).
This doesn't really matter as long as the gravel is not too coarse. Also, it should not be bright colours because this will stress your frogs.

5) Fish = Frog?: Many articles and sites about aquarium health only mention fish. Is it safe to assume what is good for a fish is good for my ADF buddies as well?
I definitely don't think this is a good idea for the most part. Most fish will eat your frogs food. Additionally, the frogs can become aggressive towards fish. I learned this the hard way. If you did want to keep fish you could try a betta, as these aren't overly active and won't generally hog all the food. If you do this try and buy a tank of at least 5 gallons.

6) Water: How often should the water be changed in this tank? Are partial changes okay? What do I do with the frogs while I change the water? What is safest and best for their well being during this process? How do I make sure the water is okay to go into the tank and how do I get the buddies back inside afterwards without disturbing them too much?
Once a week should be fine for now, but once cycled it a=can be done once a month without a big problem.

7) Equipment: What else do I need? Right now we have the tank, the two little bottles of tap conditioner/cycle stuff, and frozen bloodworm tabs. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I don't really trust the robots that work at Petland to get me setup correctly.
Just an Aqua-Tech filter will be fine if you keep it in a warm room.

I have already resolved to replace all the plants with silk counterparts, and to add a few more hiding places for the buddies.

Okay, so please please get back to me as soon as possible, I don't want these little guys that have captured my heart to get sick! The last thing I want is to be a bad frog owner!

Thank you in advance, sorry for the length.
Yours,
Ryan.

Good Luck!

 

[Lolfish197]

Hey, sorry to hijack this thread, but everyone here seems so knowledgeable :thm:. My question is this: as you can see from my sig, I'm setting up an Amazon-type 55. I've heard numerous theories as to ADF's with larger fish and as to their preferred pH. I don't want to go with ACF's as they will eat my pretty tetras (and most likely my plants) So will ADF's do OK in an acidic (6.5ish), heavily planted, soft water tank with angels? The only other fish I could possibly be adding that could possibly be dangerous would be some clown loaches. I just love these little guys, but would really like to appreciate them in a community setting. Feedback?:help:

EDIT: Froglover, there is no such thing as an African Dwarf Clawed Frog in common aquaria. There is an African dwarf frog and and African clawed frog, which is bigger and nastier. Just my $.02. As to your danio fin-nipping problem, my only idea is feeding a teensy bit more (DONT overfeed!) and possibly adding 2 or 3 more fish. And that's really cool that you have blind cave tetras, i want some for my 55 =)

 

[lateinningmagic]

I'm just here to give OP a big thumbs up :thm:

Glad you are asking questions and following the advice given here so carefully. I plan to have a couple of ADF in my 20g when it's cycled, so there was some pretty good info in here for me too.

 

[kitana7383]

Wow, some great information here! I have one ADF in a small tank. I want to get something bigger but then I thought maybe I can put him in my 10 gallon. I have 7 young male guppies, a mini pleco and 2 ghost shrimp in it. I have marbles on the bottom so gravel won't be an issue. Had for years so it's cycled, filtered and heated. The LFS sold me HBH frog & tadpole bites to feed it. He eats this fine, but from these posts, I now know to get more for him to eat! I also have a 20 gallon but I have had 2 ADF's perish. I don't know if they weren't getting enough food (never heard of the baster trick!) or it was too deep? Anyway, I just love these guys. Also, should I really be doing weekly water changes? I have been doing them at 3-4 weeks. Would 2 froggies be better? This I think is by for the best resource I have found.

 

[mel_20_20]

I would be testing the water with the API Master test kit and keep the parameters good.... ammonia 0, nitrite 0, and nitrates 20 or less. They are less sensitive than fish, but they need good clean water, too. The ph should be stable and not swing wildly. They don't like a tank that is too deep, makes them work too hard to swim to the top, but a 10 gallon is great.

Some floating plants would be nice, they like to hang out and suspend themselves on plants if they can. Two frogs would be neat, although they are OK by themselves. My two ADFs are snugged up together sometimes.

Keep the water heated and don't let it get below 78 degrees, as this will help prevent a very bad fungal infection that is devastating amphibians around the world. The Chytrid (shortened form of the word) fungus likes cooler temperatures.

They would be fine with guppies and snails, too. They like hiding places, so a cave or something like that would be nice.