African Dwarf Frogs: Tank Set-Up?

[Mayhariu]

Hello there,

I am looking to get two ADF's(not African Clawed Frogs) but I would like them to live in a sort of 'Aquascaped' environment of which I have not seen in any videos or on the web for that matter.

I have done a ton of researching online but alas, I still hear different 'facts' from every place. So, here I have arrived to ask experienced people in search of answers.

I wish to portray my ideas and then have feedback about them.

1. ADF'S hate water current and since I want to keep them in a 2-3 Gallon tank. This means I will not have a filter but consistent water changes. I am hoping this tank will be sufficient (I already have a fully submersible heater- but will need to acquire some sort of light source) :
Tank:


2. Substrate: I made the mistake of buying substrate that I thought would be awesome. I bought a bag of "Fluval Stratum Substrate" (Green bag- not the one for shrimps). But this stuff made the water look like mud and apparently it will cloud the water every water change. It is supposed to be great for live plants but you're not supposed to do water changes with it. Instead, you are to replace this stuff every year or so. SOO, I am open to substrate suggestions for planted aquariums.

3. Plants: I have considered Java Moss and Hair Grass as a 'bedding'. I am not sure if this is good for the frogs or not. Will they get stuck in it even if it's maintained?

4. Hiding Places: This is a 2 gal tank. I am told small terra cotta pots are awesome for ADF's. Can you suggest anything else that might be more eye-catching?

5. I am planning on training the frogs to eat at one spot in the tank. I think putting a bowl in there, rather, 'dish' is ideal. Again, any suggestions for that?

6. I hope to also put two Endler's in there and that would be all. I figure any babies they have will be snack food for the frogs.

7. I'd like this tank to look as natural and possible. Such as those 'Aquascape' grassy Youtube videos out there!


If you have anything else that would help me out please tell me Hope to hear from you all soon!<3

 

[fshfanatic]

A small air pump and an internal box filter with some carbon and floss would work for them.. Yea, they are old school, but they work well in small tanks and produce little current.

 

[vwill279]

I would not put endlers in with them. I have an adf in with my betta and the frog will go after the betta, especially around food. Endlers are much smaller and will possibly be killed or eaten. Also, 2 gal is max max bioload for 2 frogs, I wouldnt add any other living thing in there, especially if it isnt going to be filtered. Frog food is terribly messy and can easily cause ammonia spikes if you arent consistent with water changes. Even with a filter I change my planted 3 gal (1 betta, 1 adf) water every 4 days or so, otherwise my tests show buildup of waste.

As for aquascaping, have fun. My ADF uproots every plant I put in her tank within a few hours. Honestly, the only things I've had luck with are tying java ferns to rocks and banana plants. Also, they really really appreciate floating plants. Mine's always in amongst the floating indian fern I have in the tank. Also, 2-3 hiding places for frogs work best. When they go up for air and come back down they want to hide right away, and they never pay attention to where they are coming down. They will feel much better if they have a quick place to go no matter where they come down.

As for a filter, its not the current so much as the vibration that they dont like. They do make some really quiet filters and you can get one that hangs on the back rather than rests in the water. My aquaclear 20's vibrations are really low and would be ok. Just break up the current by putting a sponge right underneath the outflow (I have a ball of java moss underneath that works really well).

As for gravel, make sure it is either too large for the frog to eat, or small enough that is easily passes through their system. ADF's are notorious for being retarded about eating and will sometimes eat a piece of gravel instead of their food. Too large and they can choke to death or have their digestive system blocked. A dish for food really helps with this, but doesnt eliminate it since if an adf senses food nearby they will start hunting for it and they are such messy eaters that food does escape the dish while they're eating.

Hope that has been helpful!

 

[allaboutfish]

dont forget ADF's are social and should be kept in groups of atleast 3. i wouldnt do any in less than 5 gallons. id get some river stones and driftwood. then get some java ferns, anubius, and any kind of moss to put on the driftwood and in between the rocks. id get a banana plant for the back, theyre really cool bc they grow to the top and make lily pads. you might also think of using a floater like frogbit for the top.

 

[Jannika]

I love these little guys, they're so entertaining. Mine actually enjoy water current. I've always used regular hang-on-back power filters, and some will even wedge themselves between the filter and glass when resting! I think a filter would go a long way in keeping their habitat nice and clean, and make life easier for you as well. I once put some in an unfiltered bare-bottom qt tank and was surprised at how quickly the water would get mucky.

They seem to like sand with smooth pebbles strewn about, and love to get under low-lying things, such as this piece of driftwood in the foreground. Yes, that's a castle, for my nieces entertainment, so no smart remarks please!




Oh, and I've tried the dish feeding without much luck. They're extremely nearsighted, but can smell the food, so they'd climb onto the dish, scattering most of the food onto the sand anyway. I've never had one with a problem of swallowing a little sand, so I no longer worry about it.