For those who keep amphibians, preparing the right water is one of the most difficult tasks because low-quality water can cause serious harm to amphibians. If you also have this problem and are worried about your amphibian pet’s health, we will tell you what is the best and safest water for amphibians in this article at All Amphibian.
best and safe water for amphibians
The life of amphibians depends on water. Water quality is very important for their health. People who keep amphibians should provide them with adequate water. You may ask why water quality is so important to amphibians.
Amphibians are sensitive animals. If you pay attention to them, their skin is always moist. They constantly live near water and moist environments. One of the characteristics of amphibians is that they breathe through their skin. Amphibians have an extensive network of blood vessels that are very close to the surface of their skin.
When the oxygen in the air or dissolved in water comes in contact with the skin of amphibians, it passes through their thin skin and enters their bloodstream. Amphibian skin has a very high absorption power, so other substances can easily enter the body through their skin.
For this reason, water quality is very important for the health of amphibians because chemicals, chlorine, pesticides, heavy metals, and any toxic substances in the water are easily absorbed by amphibians’ bodies and endanger their health.
The pH level of the water is also too important. In addition, very clean water such as distilled water, is not suitable for amphibians because they need minerals in water. The use of tap water is also not recommended because it contains chlorine, chloramine, which is very harmful to amphibians.
Should I use distilled water for my white tree frog
Frogs are resistant animals and adapt to different conditions. Among them, white tree frogs have many fans because it is not difficult to keep them. But the most important issue that you should pay attention to in keeping white tree frogs is water.
In general, frogs need water that contains the minerals they need. Many people think that distilled water is good for frogs because it is free of other substances. But this is wrong. Research has shown that frogs kept in distilled water suffer from physiological problems.
This is probably due to iodine deficiency. But distilled water has other side effects for frogs. As we said, the skin of frogs has a high absorption capacity. They absorb the minerals they need through their skin. Distilled water prevents frogs from getting the minerals they need. Distilled water also causes stress in frogs.
Just as the skin of frogs can absorb substances, the opposite can also happen. That is, if you use distilled water to keep the frog minerals can enter the water from the frog’s body. It is called reverse osmosis, which removes substances from the frog’s body with distilled water. The best water for frogs is water with a balanced pH level and enough mineral salts.
Can my frogs’ water be dirty?
You should always provide clean water and change water regularly to keep frogs healthier. Dirty water is harmful and can even cause the death of frogs. If not changed on time, clean water becomes dirty and harmful for frogs due to the increased feces and waste that frogs put into the water.
The most important harm that dirty water has on frogs is the presence of chemicals, ammonia, and ammonium, produced from frog feces in the water and cause the greatest harm to frogs. Also, if you do not collect the leftover food from the water, it will make the water dirty. Many harmful bacteria arise from rotten food residues in the water, which are easily absorbed through the skin of frogs and harm the frog.
Also, if the frog’s water is not filtered and remains dirty, the ammonia in the water will turn the bacteria into nitrite, which is a very dangerous substance. If you don’t change the dirty water and it remains will cause pollutants to combine and react, and more harmful substances will be produced, and your frog’s health will be in danger. So try to always keep your frog’s water clean
What ph should a frog tank be
The pH value of the environment refers to its acidity or alkalinity. The same is true of water. Usually, the ph level is indicated by numbers from 0 to 14. Low numbers indicate acidity, and high numbers indicate alkalinity. For example, if the pH of water is 2, it means that the water is very acidic, and if it is 13, the water is very alkaline. The number 7 also indicates the neutrality of water.
For most amphibians like frogs, the best ph is close to 7; that is, the best water for them is neutral. If we want to be more precise, each species needs water with a different pH, but all of them are between 6.5 and 7.5. So, in general, we say that neutral water or water with pH 7 is suitable for amphibians.
The change in pH is very harmful to frogs to the extent that one of the reasons for the global extinction of frogs and the reduction of their population is acid rain. Because acid rain causes changes in the pH of the water and the living environment of frogs, therefore, the frogs’ water must be neutral.
Do green tree frogs like evian water
The best water for keeping a green tree frog is water that contains some minerals, and its pH is close to 7. It doesn’t matter where you get this water because water with this specification is suitable for frogs. Many green tree frog keepers use purified or dechlorinated tap water. Of course, this depends on the type of device used for water purification.
Using bottled water or Evian water is a good option. But when buying them, be sure to first read the water specifications on the bottle and ensure that it has the right pH. Evian waters usually contain suitable minerals, but some of them have a pH level higher or lower than 7, which is not suitable for the green tree frog.
Some other bottled waters are reverse osmosis or distilled water, which is also unsuitable. But evian water that has a suitable pH is usually the best water for frogs because these waters have standard quality in terms of not having any pollutants, and they also provide the frogs with the minerals they need. But you should note that if you use bottled water, you should change it in a certain period or use water filtration.
Hardness for water leopard frogs
If you keep aquatic pets, you must have heard the term water hardness and softness by now. Water is also graded in terms of hardness, and you should pay attention to this issue for keeping aquatic animals and amphibians. Leopard frogs live better in soft water or water with a low degree of hardness. Water hardness is determined by the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water.
The more calcium and magnesium in the water, the harder the water becomes. The unit for measuring water hardness is DGH. The best level of water hardness for keeping leopard frogs like other frogs is DGH 2. You can reduce water hardness with water-softening solutions. You can get these conditioners in pet stores.
Do I need to treat my water for frogs if I have well water?
One of the options for providing water for amphibians is to use well water, but we cannot say whether well water is suitable for frogs or not because the water in all wells is not the same. So it depends on your well water. Well, water usually contains good minerals that frogs need, but it is better to test the pH level of well water first because it may be acidic.
Some wells also have hard water. Well water may contain too much iron, which is harmful to frogs. Usually, well water contains little oxygen due to being stagnant and located deep in the ground. Therefore, if you want to use well water for frogs, the best thing to do is to balance the hardness and pH level of the water by using softeners and purification devices and increase the oxygen level of the water by the aeration method.
What is the best water for amphibians?
People who keep amphibians in their homes supply the water they need from different sources, which is unfortunately not the right thing and can harm their pets. Amphibians are very sensitive and vulnerable, and the most important factor in keeping them is the type of water you give them.
- Tap water
The quality of tap water is different in different regions of the world and it depends on where you live, but usually tap water contains a lot of chlorine and chloramine, which are harmful to amphibians. If you use tap water, it is better to leave the water for 24 hours first so that the chlorine evaporates.
- Evian water
To use evain water, you must first read its specifications on the bottle and use it if it has the right pH.
- Boiled water
When the water boils, most of its bacteria are usually destroyed, and if it is boiled for 20 minutes, its chlorine and chloramine will also evaporate, and the minerals in the water will not be destroyed, but if the water contains harmful chemicals, it will not be destroyed by boiling.
- Rainwater
Rainwater is a good source of water for frogs, but you should also pay attention to the level of air pollution and never collect rainwater from a place where it can be contaminated.
- Lake water
Most amphibians that are kept as pets are not resistant to bacteria and parasites like animals that live in nature and have weaker immune systems. Therefore, the water of natural lakes and ponds is not suitable for pets.
- Distilled water
Distilled water is not a good source of water due to the lack of minerals needed by amphibians. Meanwhile, distilled water can cause amphibians to lose the substances they need through reverse osmosis.
- Well water
Well, water may also have low oxygen levels and high iron levels. Well water pH may also not be suitable for amphibians.
According to the above, it doesn’t matter where you get the water from; the best water for amphibians is water that has a balanced pH level, contains minerals needed by amphibians, and does not contain harmful chemicals such as chlorine, chloramine, iron, etc. and have a low level of hardness.
What we learned
The life of amphibians depends on water. You should pay attention to the quality of the water you provide them. Amphibians absorb water and oxygen through their skin. Their skin has very high absorption. Harmful chemicals in water are easily absorbed by amphibians and can be dangerous for them.
The water provided to them should not be dirty. The acidity and alkalinity of the water, or pH, must be neutral for amphibians. Water with a pH close to 7 is the most suitable water for amphibians. They live better in soft water or water with low hardness. Tap water is not suitable for amphibians because it contains chlorine and chloramine.
Amphibians need minerals in water, that’s why distilled water is not suitable for them. You can use mineral water, but before using it, be sure to read the pH value of the water on the bottle and make sure that it is between 6.5 and 7.5. If you use well water, you should pay attention to its pH level. Also, well water may have low oxygen or high iron levels. For this reason, it is better to adjust the water hardness and pH before use with softeners.
Substances such as chlorine, chloramine, iron, ammonia, ammonium, bacteria, parasites, and chemicals cause damage to amphibians. It doesn’t matter from which source you get the water, and you just have to make sure that the water you provide to the amphibians has a balanced pH level, low hardness, and mineral salts needed by the amphibians. Also, don’t forget to change your amphibian pet’s water regularly.
FAQ
Can we use distilled water for frogs?
Frogs need minerals in the water, but distilled water is free of minerals. Also, due to a process called reverse osmosis, the use of distilled water causes substances from the frog’s body to enter the water.
Can I use dirty water for my frog?
Dirty water is very harmful to the health of frogs due to the presence of parasites, microbes, and harmful bacteria that arise from feces, urine, skin waste, and food residues in the water.
What pH is suitable for frogs’ water?
The best water for frogs and most amphibians is water that is neutral in terms of acidity and alkalinity, and its pH is close to 7
Do frogs like Evian water?
Yes, Evian waters contain minerals that frogs need, but before using, be sure to read the pH level on the bottle and make sure that it is neutral.
What should be the hardness of water for frogs?
The degree of hardness of water depends on the amount of calcium and magnesium, and frogs live better in water that has a low degree of hardness or soft water.
Is well water safe for frogs?
Well water may have a low oxygen level or high iron content, which is harmful to frogs. It may also not have a neutral pH level. If you use well water, It is better to first balance the hardness and pH level of the water by using softeners and water purifiers.
What is the best water for frogs?
No matter what source you get the water from, the best water for frogs is water that has a neutral pH near 7, low hardness and minerals and does not contain chlorine, chloramine, iron, ammonia, ammonium, bacteria, parasites, and other harmful substances.