I have two African Clawed Frogs; they're awesome. One is an albino. I've had them for maybe a couple months. With so little experience with these animals, I'd appreciate feedback from people who have kept them for extended periods.

My two frogs are currently in an unheated, unfiltered tank (lots of plants; the tank is cycled). They've been doing very well for several weeks. It is a 24 gallon tank with a large footprint (31" L x 15" W x 12" H).

This article points out that African Clawed frogs can't handle moving water. How accurate is that?:

http://www.petstation.com/clfrog.html

This is another article that makes no mention of it:

http://www.aquamaniacs.net/forum/cms_view_article.php?aid=35

I'm planning to build some new tanks for my fish, leaving me with a tank stand that has two 30 gallon tanks. The big question: should I invest in a new pump and make a sump and wet/dry filter for these frogs in these tanks? I'm hoping to move them, and possibly get more so I can have two or three frogs per 30 gallon tank. (I might split the tanks up between the regular and albino variations.)

My potential plan is to put a sump with a wet/dry filter under these two tanks, and get a pump just strong enough to get a 75 GPH flow rate pouring through the tanks. One tank drains into the other, then the second one drains into the sump and filter. They will have a turnover rate of 2.5 times an hour with the pump I plan to get. There won't be a heater.

My other potential plan is to fill one of the 30 gallon tanks with newts instead of frogs. I'll post another thread on that...

Here's some photos of my 30 gallon tanks and stand:





Each tank is 24" x 20" x 15". The water looks pretty cloudy in the photo because I had just added the sand substrate.

These tanks use the same water supply as my larger tank rack (you can see a bit of it in one of the photos). I'd like to segregate this two-tank rack for aquatic, cold-water amphibians. It was designed as an extension to my original metal rack of tanks, but I think making it a "stand-alone" would make more sense.

Sorry for all the info - I just wanted to be thorough. I've basically got a month to decide, because I'm moving. I want to set up my tank racks satisfactorily as soon as I move, so I won't have to move these heavy items around once I'm settled in.

hey chris its Tommy. I think you should use a filter and use a heater but not set too high. They wont live as long wit out them.

I've not heard what that one site says that ACF's can't tolerate moving water. I tend to think it's not true but have no proof. I've never had a ACF or done much research on them. I do have ADF's. They don't mind the filter one bit. Being that they're very similar species, I don't think there'd be a problem with filtering the water. The benefits of filtration most likely far outweigh the frogs irritation on their lateral lines. The addition of plants and ornaments can break up the water movement as well so there are still areas in the tank. Your flow rate sounds low enough that I don't think you'll have a problem. If the room the tanks are in goes below 65 degrees F in winter, I would probably add heaters.

I see that other site does mention to avoid strong surface agitation so that the frogs (in that case ADF's) can gulp air. I agree with that. Floating plants help create still areas in a tank. Certainly, both ADF's and ACF's gulp air but they get a lot of their oxygen through their skin under the water. My ADF's stay under most of the time, probably hours at a time. Few animals could hold their breath that long!

Nothing in your potential set up jumps out at me as a potentially problematic.

keep the tank at 68 degrees. Use a heater and a filter but not to strong of a filter. Use a whisper filter. They dont make much o f a current but they are very good.

I'm sworn off HOB (hook on the back) filters, if I can help it. Too noisy, too much maintenance... I'm planning to keep larger tank racks with centralized filters as much as possible. I'll keep some of my old AquaClears handy, though.

I've got a spare heater, in case my frog tank does get too cold. So far, my room temperature has been about 80 degrees all summer. Eugh, too hot...

Otherwise, it sounds like my plan will work just fine.

Thanks.

you should use one during the winter if your house gets too cold. After all you live in canada!

I've kept dwarf frogs in a tank with no circulation,heater, or filter for 5 years, thats long for a dwarf. As long as the water is kept clean, they are fed enough, and something is floating on the surface for them to grab on to as they get old and dont drown, they should be fine. If anything though I would get a slow moving filter so you have to clean less often. I've never kept gravel in my tank either that way they find the frog pellets and blackworms easier, but the food debris builds up equaling frequent water changes, unless you have a filter.

I decided not to put my frogs in the separate tanks. They would have more room to stretch in a larger tank that I had planned to divide. Here's my new website, with more tank details:

http://flusher.bravehost.com/

The water flow to the large frog tank is quite low, thanks to a PVC ball valve.

hey flusher. Nice to see you again. Nice your setting up a saltwater. What fish are going in it? i can help you there!

hey i checked out your new site, pretty cool stuff you got there. i can see the move went well too. Anyway i see you are looking for red eyed puffers. I have seen people keep 3 dwarf puffers, and 2 red eyed in a 10 gallon with no problems.

Your setups are nice and they look like there in the wild. Great job! B)

yah, he has had lots of nice ones. This reef i can tell will be nice. I wouldnt use feather dusters, they get to big. maybe a coco worm instead.