Hi everyone. I have two fire belly toads. My daughter needs to do a terrarium for a school project and I would like to do it in a 10 gallon and set it up so that the toads could live in it too. I have no clue where to start.

I need to know what kind of substrate I can use that won't get moldy and such, isn't toxic to the toads and I can plant live flowers in....???? Also need to know whether or not I can use the tank lid for this or should I get a screened lid?? I am just gonna put their water dish in there rather than fool with making part water and having to get a filter and all that cause that seems soooo confusing on how to do as well as expensive. I dont' like the look of false bottom tanks and wouldn't know any other way to do it.

Any advice on what kinds of plants to use would be great. Also how to care for them.........water them etc. And If I set up a tank this way how often would I need to clean it and how would I go about that??

I have tried several forums and many many articles and websites which have only added to my confusion.

I anyone here could help me with basics and specifics and step by steps that would be appreciated by us............especially the toads!!

Thanks so much,
Tammy

Welcome to Herpcenter. Im sure someone will be along to help out. Here is one link I found.

maybe getting a fire belly toad looking 4 advise

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Welcome to HC, sorry but I know very little regarding fire-bellied toad's

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

hi and welcome. A dish for them is fine, but be sure its larger rather than smaller. Pie plate would be good.

For substrate, go to your pet store and get a brick of coconut-husk. Follow the directions on the block and it will be enough to cover the bottom of your tank. If you want it a little deeper, get two bricks.

You can plant anything tropical. I would stay away of flowers, the humidity in the tank won't really work with them. Pothos are great. anything tropical that doesn't get too tall. Be sure to rinse the leaves off really well and the roots too, to get off any chemicals that might be on them. Bury deep in the coco-husk substrate.

Firebelly toads create a lot of toxin. You will have to change the water out of the bowl every other day. Be sure to use de-chlorinated water. Chlorine will kill them. You can get water de-chlorinator in the fish section at your pet store. If you don't want to do that, you can pick up spring gallon. I just make my water a gallon at a time in a spring water bottle I reuse.

If you could, on the fishtank lid, drill some holes in the top so they can get some fresh air. or you could use a screen.

As long as your house is 68 - 75 they don't need extra heat. If its lower (like my house) a simple household bulb will both heat your tank and light your plants. I'd guess a 25 watt bulb for that sized tank. I have a 40 watt in my 10 gallon and it gets up to 80.

You might want to get a little half log. Mine love hiding it it and they are only about $5.

Hope this helps. Here is a really good caresheet.
Amphibiancare.com >> Fire-bellied Toad (Bombina orientalis) Care

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

To add to Liz's remarks, make sure you never use distilled water either. Also, there are dechlorinators made for reptiles and amphibians as well, and I prefer those over the ones for fish. I use Reptisafe myself. And I can't stress enough how you should rinse any plants off VERY well, and completely change their soil. Potted plants have all sorts of chemicals about them that are very harmful for the frogs.

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+5 bonus points to whoever finds me a job!

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

Thanks, i ALWAYS forget about the distilled thing.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

also wanted to add in that if you liked the idea of having a pool if you didn't need the false bottom you should check out this link from Paige's hermit crab tank. You could easily do it for fire-bellied toad as well.
did my pools today PICS

Also as far as substrate goes, I always had better success with plants when I mixed the coconut-husk with an organic soil. It seems to help the plants take root better... You just want to be sure to use a potting soil that does not have any fertilizer or additives in it. I usually use Miracle Grow Organic Choice Potting Soil
Miracle-Gro® Organic Choice® Potting Mix  :  Product  :  The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company

This would also work:
Miracle-Gro® Sphagnum Peat Moss  :  Product  :  The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company

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I guess I should add my fire-bellied toad tank in too. I don't have a false bottom. I have a 50-50 setup in a 29 gallon tank.

Of course since you only have a 10 gallon tank, i think your setup is fine. 50-50 setups need bigger tanks to run properly.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.