African Dwarf Frog questions.

[Anonymity82]

I have 3 of them in a two gallon tank and they seem happy. They eat, they float, they swim about and seem to have plenty of room for the 3 of them. I am also planning on getting them a small terra cotta pot to hide in. I don't have a filter on the enclosure because I didn't know you needed one. I never had an aquarium and didn't realize how filthy the water gets in just a couple of days. Not from their waste but from their food mostly. I have done weekly water changes of 100% and clean the decorations off because of the crap that settles/grows decorations.

Should I do 100% changes? I've been told that I shouldn't do 100% changes so the beneficial bacteria doesn't get removed. This bacteria brings down the ammonia levels I've been told. Wouldn't 100% water changes remove the high ammonia levels too? I usually wait about two days before I feed them after the water changes. Thanks!

I must point out that I did do some research but the frogs were a gift. The website that sold them said that it came with all they needed. I don't know if I actually believed it or wanted to believe it but either way I'm left here completely worried about keeping them healthy and alive. I have no money (I've been waiting to start training for the past 3 weeks and I'm getting really frustrated) so I really can't get them a whole new set up right now.

 

[Anonymity82]

I'd also like to add that I've read that a filter will create an unwanted current that will stress them out.

 

[Louise E. Rothstein]

Do dwarf frogs use "a small terra cotta pot?"
Do they use the present decorations at all?

What DO they hide in...?

You said that money is tight.
Please research what they use before you buy.

And here is another potential economy:
Filth concentrates at the bottom.
If you siphon the bottom and leave the filtrate overnight you will see that most of the semisolids are back on the bottom.

These can be commissioned to fertilize plants.
They could even help to grow food for you.
Even if you have absolutely no gardening space you might be able to make a deal with somebody who does:
many cash-crunched people have been combining to grow food.
Everyone concerned is better off...Perhaps you could help them...And get help.

 

[Anonymity82]

I've read on multiple websites that they like to hide and small terra pots are a good choice. They do use the decorations to anchor themselves as they float around. They're doing pretty good and look healthy. It's been at least 3 weeks since I got them and have been doing 100% water changes weekly. So far so good.

They were a gift so I wasn't given much time to research them beforehand. Thanks for your concern. I did research them and found contradicting information on care (which is common among most pets). Some say 2 gallons per frog and have filter. Others say no more than 3 in 2 gallons and no filter because the frogs will not appreciate the flow of a filter in a small tank.

My original question is how important is the good bacteria in a ADF tank? I don't have any fish in there and I'm fine without them. I don't mind cleaning out the tank once a week 100% but I've been advised by other people that I shouldn't so the bacteria will grow and keep the ammonia levels down. I have also been advised to do 100% changes and clean everything off as this will also keep ammonia levels down because I will be removing all the spoiling food.