Frogs are certainly interesting creatures to keep as pets; from the brightly colored poison dart frog to the Pacman frog that looks like a video game character, you have a great variety to choose from.
Wondering how to set up a frog tank? You have come to the right place – we’ll teach you the proper frog tank setup.
Learning how to make a terrarium for frogs involves selecting the best component for the specific type of frog, including the tank, substrate, décor, equipment, etc.
It’s almost like an aquarium – but the difference is it will not be filled to the brim with water, unless we’re talking about completely aquatic frogs such as the African Dwarf frogs.
Keep reading to figure out how to make a frog enclosure for popular frog species such as White’s tree frog, poison dart frog, Pacman frog, and more.
Let’s get started.
Best Type of Tank for Frogs
There’s no reason at all to deviate from the aquarium standard – which is glass tanks – for frogs.
While they are no fish, frogs need access to water too – a glass tank is good at containing water. Glass tanks also trap in moisture, which is quite vital for frogs as they require a humid environment.
Frogs are good climbers, so the tank must be fully enclosed with a mesh lid on top that facilitates ventilation while keeping the jumpers in.
How Big Does a Frog Tank Need To Be
After deciding on getting a glass tank, you should determine what size you need to get next.
The actual size for you depends on the number of frogs you intend to keep and what species they are; generally speaking, we’ll say what we always say for aquariums: bigger is better.
For most frogs, the tank should be no less than 10 gallons in size. Preferably you should go for 20 gallons, especially if you’re talking about a large species.
Specific frog species will have a specific size requirement. For instance, a White’s tree frog enclosure should be 15-20 gallons for one frog and an additional 10 gallons for every extra frog.
A poison dart frog enclosure can be 5-10 gallons per frog as they are pretty small creatures.
A Pacman frog enclosure, on the other hand, needs a 10-gallon tank; 20 gallons is even better.
Coming to the dimensions of the tank, arboreal frogs – the ones that live on trees for the most part – need a vertical tank where they can climb up to feel at home. For instance, the white tree frog tank setup should consist of a tall tank.
On the other hand, terrestrial frogs that dwell on land need a large area to move around (they don’t require a tall tank).
Water and Humidity Requirement for Frogs
Most frogs need access to water; they actually breathe through their skin, which needs to be moist in order to facilitate the exchange of oxygen and CO2.
You can either create a small pond where your frog can submerge itself or fill half the tank with water, depending on how much water your specific species likes.
Make sure the water is dechlorinated, same as you would do with fish.
Also, frogs have no sense of hygiene and would often defecate in the water, so it needs to be cleaned daily.
In addition to a body of water, frogs also require water in the air: make sure the environment is humid and there is enough moisture around.
Poison dart frogs in particular need a high level of humidity – a poison dart frog vivarium should maintain a humidity of 80-100 %.
You can achieve the required level of humidity through a misting spray or an auto-mister/rainmaker. An automatic device spares you the trouble of manually spraying the tank.
If the amount of water in the tank is significant – such as when half the tank is filled with water – you may need a filter to keep it clean.
What is the Best Frog Substrate
There are a lot of good options, such as gravel, sand, and coconut fiber. A multi-layered substrate is a good idea for a frog tank.
First you have gravel, sand, or clay at the bottom that does not absorb water. This layer should be covered by a screen to prevent the substrate on top from falling into it. On the top, you can cover it with anything from leaf litter, moss, and wood shavings, to coconut fiber.
Once again, the substrate should be chosen considering the frog species in mind. For example, the pacman frog likes to burrow, so the best pacman frog substrate should be coconut fiber, sterile potting soil, or sphagnum moss.
Plants and Décor for Frog Terrarium
This is a part that most cherish when it comes to learning how to make a frog terrarium – a tank properly decorated with plants and other items will add immensely to its beauty.
Plants will make the environment appear more natural, which will look beautiful while making your frogs feel at home.
Plants, logs, and branches can be scaled by tree climbers such as White’s tree frogs, which will satisfy their natural tendencies. You can get driftwood for a stylish option.
Make sure to use décor to create hiding spots for your frogs to take refuge, especially if you have a shy breed.
The pond can add to the beauty of the scenery if you do it correctly. Some even create amazing waterfalls and waterways in the tank.
Natural décor is always preferable; if you’re buying artificial product, make sure it is not toxic to the frogs.
Basking Area and Lighting
Being cold-blooded creatures, your frogs may need an area to warm themselves if it gets cold. You can create a dry basking area with a heat lamp.
You can also add a UV light to promote your frog’s health – UVB light is essential for the production of Vitamin D.
A basking area may suffice, but if you have tropical frogs and it gets really cold where you are, it is not a bad idea to get heating pads.
Remember, frogs too require a regular day/night cycle, so make sure to turn off the lights at night; you can either do it manually or with the help of an automated timer.
Conclusion
Hopefully, by now you have a good idea on how to set up a tank for a frog. Things you should watch out for are tank size, dimensions, substrate, access to water, humidity, heat, lighting, and décor.
Of course, the specific requirements depend on the frog species you want to keep, so make sure to do your research for the specific breed of frog.
Once you have everything set up, there’s no greater joy than introducing your pet frogs into the tank and watching them interact with their new environment.
One more thing, make sure you educate yourself on how to properly care for frogs – learning how to set up a frog tank is just the beginning.
Thanks for reading.
