Do you know anything re: African Dwarf Frogs/substrate

Question
QUESTION: Hello Renee.  I have some African Dwarf Frogs in a 10 gallon tank which currently has gravel (the usual gravel you buy at Wal-Mart).  I don't believe it's sharp.  I've only had these guys for up to a week now.  

I've been reading and reading, etc. until my eyes are bleary about using sand instead of gravel for them.  I wish I had known that before they all got settled in their new home.  

Nevertheless, if it's better for their little bodies, I'll try and accommodate them.  I've found some pool filter sand at our local Farm Supply store, very cheap and have found out many people use this type of sand.  I've personally never have seen it yet.  

Will my frogs get stressed while I put them somewhere else in the meantime (rubbermaid tub perhaps?) while I clean the sand and get it settled?  Is it hard to look after for cleaning, etc.?  Also, will it hurt the frogs if they ingest any?  I do keep a terra cotta dish on floor to place their frozen worms but don't even know if all of them have caught on to it or not.  

Sure hope you can answer all of my questions, there's quite a few!

Thanks so much!
Paula

ANSWER: Hello Paula,

I'd definitely consider changing out the substrate.  They also like live lpants, however most do adapt to fish tank gravel, and a non-live environment as long as they are fed properly.  They require live food to survive in captivity.

The oldest pair I had was several years old, and about 2" long, with very long claws.  They are ultra cute!

The problem with the hard rock is it does tend to make their skin more easily injured, because of sharp edges.  When skin is injured, disease can set in, or bacteria.  Fungal infections are already a frog issue.  We try not to encourage this by providing an environment as close to nature as possible.

Please consider feeding them live, rather than frozen, worms.  I hesitate at the "frozen" part, because so many die in captivity because of non-live food.  They aren't naturally instinctively driven to seek out dead, non-moving, foods.  Live worms on the terracotta plate would be so much more easily devoured.

You may use the rubbermaid tub.  Make sure to keep it warm, with a heater so they are not cold.  I'd think they will be just fine in there til the aquarium is ready, however, please be sure to check the temperatures and to make sure they are the same before the transfer.  Remember, these little critters can die from a few degrees of difference in temperature between tanks.

I truly hope it helps.  You will love having them once you get down their care and needs.

Happy holidays and happy frog-keeping!

Renee

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Renee, I just wanted to ask again tho' about the frogs ingesting any sand.  Some say it's not good, some don't mention any problems.

Can you suggest if 'sand blasting' sand is ok?  The huge hardware stores don't seem to be selling pool stuff at this time of year.  I've heard they carry 'decor sand', 'blasting sand' and some others.  

Our farm supply store that still has the pool filter sand says it's silica and quite gritty.  I feel it may be sharp but not sure.  Also, I got worried about the back of the bag saying 'don't breathe in fumes as it may cause permanent delayed lung damage'.  Not exactly what I want as I already have to take precautions with hay dust with our many rescue bunnies inside.

Is there any sand that doesn't cause a problem to rinse, dust, filter problems, etc.?

Thank you!
Paula

Answer
Well, hello again Paula,

The little guys will love some small sand, not as large as regular aquarium gravel.  I don't pay petstore prices.  I buy at the local landscaping supply.  I pay about $5 for a five gallon bucket, but I don't buy traditional sand.  I buy a larger sand...the grains are about 1/8".  Anything larger is fine if it's soft, but the frogs really love to move the sand around and look for food.  Hence, why they should have loose sand to play in.

If you don't want to go that route, do what I did.  Place a small terracotta square plant water dish in the bottom of the tank.  Fill that with the sand.  Put regular aquarium gravel around it (please don't buy sharp looking gravel, but rather a pea gravel that is soft and round, as it is known to cut their skin or cause more fungal infections).  

Feed them on that, as well.  It will serve a great dual purpose.  The worms won't float away because they will go into the sand, and they won't go into your bottom filter that way, if you use one.  They will stay in the plate.

Additionally, the frogs will scratch in it for their food, and dig, and they will feel very at home.  

I honestly have heard the same thing about frogs ingesting the gravel, yet in the 34-35 years I have had frogs, I have absolutely never encountered it.  

I don't want to say everyone else is wrong, but rather, I just haven't had that happen to our frogs.  

At the landscaping shop, you can request a sand that isn't a powdered sand.  It would seem logical that a frog can get powdered sand in his mouth and eat it accidentally.

In answer to your question, anytime a package says not to inhale it, it's a huge red flag.  The only ingredient on the bag should be "sand" if you buy bagged sand, however please try the local landscaping supply or gravel supply company.  They might have a great deal for you as well as exactly what you want.

Sandblasting sand is sometimes fine.  Be certain to purchase a sand that has nothing in it but sand, and you should always wash it thoroughly first.

I hope this was helpful.  :)