I just bought a 5 gallon tank with filtration system that houses my brand new 2 African Dwarf Frogs. I was reading a lot over the last few hours and it seems that the filtration system can harm them (getting stuck) and bother them from vibrations. Can I just use Sparkletts bottled water for the water change? I mean the bottles sit in my hallway so they are room temperature like the rest of the house and the PH seems perfect.... Just need help. I am a newbie for sure.
Using Sparkletts water?
- Thread starter Somecalifemme
- Start date
It sounds like you want to turn the filter off? Correct me if I've read that wrong. Dwarf frogs can get themselves hurt on the intake basket of your filter. There are a couple of ways you can go. You can (depending on your filter), turn the flow down to decrease pressure. Or you can put a pre-filter sponge over the intake basket. The frogs need clean water to be healthy though, so you definitely don't want to turn the filter off.
MG's right about the water. Using regular tap water treated with dechlorinator should be fine.
MG's right about the water. Using regular tap water treated with dechlorinator should be fine.
katana1200
Unhealthy obsession?
Actually from what I've read about frogs the OP is speaking of the frogs "lateral line"(?). Its an organ like a shark has that sences vibrations in the water. The theory is that a frog can become stressed and overstimulated by the constant vibration of a running filter the same way we would be effected if we had to be in a room with a jackhammer all day, every day. I can not speak to the science behind this as I have never kept them, but was looking into the species myself recently.
Yes, the lateral line makes them ultra sensitive to filter vibrations from what I've read. Even once I turned it on, they seemed to cower in the farthest point from the filter and wouldn't move. I know that the water needs to stay clean and I intend to change the water weekly. Thank you for your advice and I'm glad someone heard of their sensitivity as well
Here is the information I found:
"The issue of filtration is somewhat controversial. The frogs have a sensory system (lateral line) that allows them to sense vibrations in the water, so some experts believe that using filters provides constant stressful stimuli to the frog (compared to a human constantly being exposed to the noise from a jackhammer). However, gentle filtration is used by some owners with success, and this will keep the water a lot cleaner. These frogs live in stagnant water in the wild, but that is not the same as dirty water in an aquarium. If no filtration is used, the water should be nearly fully changed every week, if not more often."
"The issue of filtration is somewhat controversial. The frogs have a sensory system (lateral line) that allows them to sense vibrations in the water, so some experts believe that using filters provides constant stressful stimuli to the frog (compared to a human constantly being exposed to the noise from a jackhammer). However, gentle filtration is used by some owners with success, and this will keep the water a lot cleaner. These frogs live in stagnant water in the wild, but that is not the same as dirty water in an aquarium. If no filtration is used, the water should be nearly fully changed every week, if not more often."
I kept dwarf frogs in a tank with an undergravel filter, for some years, and they didn't seem discontent.
katana1200
Unhealthy obsession?
I don't know how they are with plants, but you could always go with a natural "Diana Walstad" kind of tank. No filter, tons and tons and tons of plants, light stocking. Would make an interesting enviroment.
I second the Diana Walstead type method here. Use a lot of nutrient sucking plants like watersprite, filigree, cabomba, and anacharis, maybe some floating water lettuce or amazon frogbit. (the frogs will LOVE all the cover too.) I would do a 25% change about every other day, rather than just BAM change it all one a week. It will be less stressful for everyone involved.
Kristina
Kristina
If the frogs don't seem stressed I would just go with the present filter. Another alternative would be to use a sponge filter instead.