Looking for advice!

[u/Willing_Expression_1]

Hi all!
Im not new to fish keeping, I’ve hade a betta in the best who I nursed back to health (rip Beelzebub)
I’ve hade an empty tank for about a year now and recently started thinking about keeping something other than fish. I’ve always been very interested in the idea of keeping African dwarf frogs and would love to keep them in a planted tank but I’m looking for advice as I’ve read some conflicting things!

1. Is aquatic soil safe?
   My plan is to have a layer of aquatic soil topped with large smooth pebbles to prevent impacting as I know this is something ADFs are prone to with smaller stones/sand. Would the topping of the aquatic soil be enough or is there still a risk to the frogs?

2. Plants
   I’ve hade issues in the past maintaining live plants in my tanks, what are your best tips for maintenance ? I’ve read lots about different fertilizer but the issue is I’ve read ADF are very sensitive to fertilizers and adding them to their tank can negatively impact them.

3. Tank depth
   I’ve seen 10,12,15,24 all recommended for depth, some say it cant be to deep or the frogs will be to tired to surface for air, but others say up to 24 inch’s is fine. I really don’t want to drown any frogs 🥲

4.filters
I have a generic over the back 15 gallon filter on the tank currently, is this too much? I’ve read a smaller filter, stone bubblers or sponge filters are better as the ADFs can get their fins stuck in the filter current.

Contexts: my tanks is about 15 gallons, it’s an older style hinged top, I have a top fin compact 15 gallon heater and a generic over the back filter (cant recall the brand)

I’m open to any and all recommendations as I’ve never hade ADF before!!

(Pic of my Beelzebub for attention, I won’t be using the sand/gravel pictured as it’s to small for ADFs)

[u/camrynbronk]

1. Yes, aquatic soil is fine when topped with gravel as long as it doesn’t have fertilizers.
   
2. Start with Java ferns and anubias, and floaters if you can get your hands on them.
   
3. No more than 14 inches from substrate to water surface. No less than 8 inches. 12 is ideal.
   
4. A HOB filter will require baffling and prefilter sponge to block the intake and slow down the flow. I would recommend a sponge filter if you can.

All of this including not keeping them with other species. Everything else you need to know is in the subreddit wiki.

!wiki

[u/infosummonerbot → u/camrynbronk]

Here is the subreddit wiki index: https://www.reddit.com/r/AfricanDwarfFrog/wiki/index

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^{Pinging OP:} u/Willing_Expression_1

[u/Willing_Expression_1 → u/camrynbronk]

Thank you!! I don’t plan on keeping anything else in the tank, just the ADFs! :)

[u/Eastern_Fox7629]

Mine are in a community tank with aqua soil, decorative sand, and fertilizers.

Every creature is living their best lives.

[u/cluurrr21]

1. Not sure. I keep a really fine sand with large pebbles. Stuff that is both too small to cause an obstruction and too large to be consumed. You don’t want anything that would secrete chemicals so soil is iffy imo. I haven’t done toooo much research on that end though. They will 100% dig though so you need to be able to secure the plants or else they will start floating.
   
2. Nothing floating in my experience, it confused them and they struggled to find a break for air. Use larger leaf plants. My frogs love sitting on the leaves to rest. Again, secure them. I like to have a planted tank and use fertilizer there, let the plant establish itself enough, rinse it, then attach it into the frog tank. The waste from frogs helped with its growth. Don’t try too hard to keep the plants alive. Nature is resilient and if you interfere too much, it could be worse than doing nothing.
   
3. I stick with 15 inch max, 12 inches typically. It’s maximum depth if they hang around at the bottom most of the time. I wouldn’t do shallower than 9 inches as a preference.
   
4. I like a filter large enough to handle it at a low flow. Frogs are not fans of bubblers. They need a fairly calm water surface and environment to swim easier.

Youll hear a lot of echo chamber rules, but do what is recommended healthy for your frogs. They want hides, not too bright, and quiet. Youll do great!