Making a Terrarium for Frogs and Tadpoles

Setting up a terrarium to accommodate both tadpoles and frogs requires special planning since tadpoles are fully aquatic and frogs spend the majority of their time on moist land. To accommodate even a few species of each amphibian, choose a large enough aquarium to create two completely separate environments with a transitional space between the two. A 29-gallon long-length tank would be a minimum option to house two to three amphibians.

Prepare the Empty Tank
Adhere an 8 to 10-inch tall plastic divider in the center of the base of the aquarium with silicone to create both an aquatic environment and a land area in the terrarium. Hold the plastic divider so it is vertical and apply a thin line of silicone on each end, creating a water-tight seal. Allow the silicone to dry.

Add a 1-inch base layer of gravel to the aquatic side and clay pellets to the land side. Cut a piece of fiberglass window screen to cover the clay pellets.

Layer a natural soil such as coconut fiber or tree fern fiber atop the screen. Fill the soil as deep as needed to make it even with the top of the aquatic area. Mound the soil in areas to create a varied landscape for the frogs.

Decorations for the Terrarium
Plant temperate and rainforest plants in the land substrate. Bury the root ball under the soil, allowing the foliage to cover the visible landscape. Choose vertical and creeping plants for variety. Stagger rocks and hollow wood pieces among the plants.

Add rocks, driftwood and aquatic plants to the aquatic end of the terrarium. Arrange these items at varying heights so the frogs can drink from the water and tadpoles can stretch their newly developed legs once they morph. Use a large piece of driftwood to span the two environments, creating a central path for the amphibians.

Adding Water to the Environment
Pour room-temperature tap water into the aquatic portion of the tank using a small bucket. Fill the water so it just meets the height of the land area. Add terrarium water conditioner to the water to remove any chemicals.

Attach a water filter to the back of the terrarium with the water intake tube plunging deep into the water. Tadpoles create a lot of waste so the filter needs to run constantly to keep the water clear and reduce build-up of bacteria.

Lighting and Temperature Requirements
Top the terrarium with a screen for ventilation. Mount full spectrum lighting on top of the terrarium screen and allow the amphibians to have 12 to 14-hours of light per day.

Most terrariums do not require additional heat sources. An environment kept at room temperature, as long as it doesn't dip below the 65 degrees Fahrenheit, is acceptable. Check with your frog and tadpole provider for any additional heat requirements for your specific species.

*Note: Large adult frogs may feed on small tadpoles if the terrarium is too small or the frogs are under fed. Housing tadpoles and frogs together should be considered a temporary environment for tadpoles beginning to morph into frogs.

Sources and Suggested Further Reading:
Black Jungle: Terrarium Construction Basics
http://www.blackjungle.com/basics.htm

Aqualand: How to Successfully Keep Your New Tadpole
http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Amphibian,%20Tadpole.htm

Animal Planet: Reptile Guide, White's Tree Frog
http://animal.discovery.com/guides/reptiles/frogs/whitestreefrog.html

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