cycle tank?

[soritan]

I feel silly even asking, but if I have a 10G tank, dedicated to ADFs, would I have to cycle it, as I would for a tropical fish, before introducing my frogs?

I'm thinking of getting 4-5 ADFs for the tank, I've heard lots of different opinions about stocking a 10G tank with ADFs, would 4-5 be an appropriate number? It is probably going to be a tank dedicated to just ADFs, but it might contain a single male betta (still waffling). It seems the site which newbies are commonly pointed to (http/allaboutfrogs.org/info/mypets/dwarfs.html) keeps as many as 2 frogs per 1.5G.


I'll probably have a box filter on it, mostly because I already own a box filter. I have yet to purchase a heating unit for the tank, or even have it set up at all, however once I've set my mind on getting the tank stocked (probably sometime at the end of next month), it will definately be heated. Unless I waffle again and get cold water fish. But let's pretend I'm being decisive.

Also, I know that ADFs jump, the hpd which I have for the tank has a fairly large gap in the back for aquarium equipment, how low would you advise I keep the water, so that I can be fairly sure that no one will jump? 1.5-2.5 inches?

I see that most people recommend a single food source when asked for food advise for african dwarf frogs, is it normal to only feed them one food source? Only blood worms, etc?

I hope my questions are endured with patience, *laugh*, and await reply.

 

[soritan]

Please, and, thank you?

 

[Kiarra]

The tank I have my ADFs in isn't cycled, but that's just because I do mass water changes on it about once a week. If you want to avoid the mass water changes, it's probably worth it to cycle. But they don't really need it.

I don't think you could lower the water level enough for the frogs to not be able to get out. One option you may consider to enclose the tank fully is a mesh-type net, with holes large enough for water to pass freely, but not large enough for the frogs or other fish to escape, or get trapped. You can get a mesh-type netting with most sets of marbles.

My frogs are fed live blackworms, frozen bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, and, when they actually eat them, Betta and Frog pellets (they're kept with 6 female Bettas and two Croaking Gouramis). I think they even tried the pea I threw in there for the Bettas, but I'm not sure. A varied diet is a good thing, and they'll eat a lot of different things, if they can get to them before the fish do.

 

[soritan]

thanks, i was wondering about their diet. most of the sites i came across would mention one or two foods, but generally they implied that the frogs were perfectly happy with only blood worms, or only this, or only that. quarked my brow, i'll tell you that.

i was hoping to avoid having to create some sort of blockage on their hood, but it sounds like i'll pretty much have to. i know it sounds shallow, but most of the 'fixes' i find for leaping aquarium pets aren't the most aesthetically pleasing solutions.

i'm pleased to know that they don't actually require cycling, i'm not sure how cycled the tank will be once i introduce them. i'll run it for a while before hand, regardless (obviously, esp. since i'm still debating adding a betta), but it's good to know that i won't be damaging the little guys if they get put in before its cycled.

 

[Kiarra]

The Betta doesn't need a cycle, either, but it does indeed help with the waste.

I can understand your reservation about blocking holes. It isn't always the most aesthetically pleasing. But I'm sure there are ways to do it more discretely, so it's not as noticeable, and, therefore, less ugly.

 

[soritan]

Thank you for your help. In both threads, the most recent one being about Sori. *sigh* I think if Sori passes on, I'll have a hell of a time justifying filling my 10G with anything at all.

I am rather in love with ADFs, though. At one point, I was going to move my betta, Sori, into the 10g with some ADFs, and at yet another point, I was going to keep him right next to me and buy a whole new betta for the 10G with the adfs, and and yet another point, I was going to dedicate it to just the betta. And again, maybe just fish. I keep changing my mind, but I'd prefer to figure it all out in advance and be ready when I actually do set it up, than walk in blind folded.

So really, thanks for the reply. I was worried no one would.

 

[Kiarra]

If I have any relevant knowledge, I'll reply. Even if I don't...I'll go look it up myself and then reply.

I love my ADFs, too. The first time I saw them in the store, I KNEW I wanted one. Now that I've got three of them settled and happy and feeding like little piggies, I adore them even more. It was especially funny watching the pet store lady fishing them out for me and then chasing them down the fish aisle. Ah, so funny....

 

[soritan]

I didn't know I was going to fall in love with them. I'd been researching tankmates for my betta, and stumbled across the mysterious acronym, "ADF", which I had to poke about to discover the meaning of. Then I did some research, never having been a fan of frogs, I wasn't impressed by photos. Then I went to the pet store, and saw them. They were *so cute*, I nearly walked out of the store with a bagfull right then and there. Except the tank they were in had a huge sign that read, "Not for sale, currently medicating" which saved me from a snap decision.

I'm glad I'm a researchy sort. It really helps, especially with such comparitively delicate pets like fish. And having a forum like this available, where people are willing to help you is wonderful. I do attempt to find most answers on my own, though, before I race here and ask questions. It's just that some things I read, are a little murky to understand.

For instance, the whole, food thing. Every single site I've been on has more or less implied that frogs are perfectly happy with just blood worms, or just pellets, and something to me that was somehow wrong.

Bonus for ADFs, they eat simmilar stuff bettas do.

 

[Kiarra]

A tank full of carnivores is a very good thing. Nothing really ever goes to waste.

It always seemed wrong to me that everyone kept saying "give your frogs bloodworms, they'll be fine." And they never mentioned anything else...and I had no bloodworms. But I got blackworms and started feeding them to the frogs. And then the HBH frog pellets, and they ate those when there was nothing wiggling to eat. Now they get whatever I feed the Bettas...if they get there before the Bettas do.

Then again, my frogs are so fat that I don't think even the Bettas being there is making them miss a single meal.