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Internal Filter
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An internal filter is necessary for tadpole tanks, as the amphibians tend to produce a lot of waste. However, because the water is shallow, a normal hang-on filter will not suffice. Instead, install an internal filter that can sit in the tank against the wall with the suction end of the filter resting below the waterline, spilling clean water out through the top.
Gravel and Rocks
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A thin layer of gravel should line the bottom of the aquarium. The gravel should be well rounded so that the tadpoles cannot injure themselves if they scrape along the bottom. Rocks in the aquarium should reach above the waterline. The rocks provide a place to allow the tadpoles to climb out when they begin sprouting legs.
Food
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Tadpoles are omnivorous and will eat a variety of foods, including goldfish flake food, shredded lettuce and algae discs. Keep a suitable supply of a variety of these foods near the tank. Feed the tadpoles only as much as they can eat twice a day. Any uneaten food will cloud the tank and raise the chemical levels of the water, which could be potentially dangerous.
Unneeded Items
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Several items are typically found in fish tanks but are not needed in a tadpole aquarium. These supplies include aquarium heaters, because the water temperature can safely range between 60 degrees and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and aquarium lighting.
Miscellaneous Supplies
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Items you may find useful when raising tadpoles include a fish net for scooping out uneaten food or deceased tadpoles, a tight-fitting screen lid so that they cannot jump out, and a lily plant, water hyacinth or other floating plant that the tadpoles can hide under or nibble on.
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Important Supplies for a Tank of Tadpoles
Tadpoles make interesting pets. Their growth generates a fascinating example of metamorphosis in action. Keeping a tadpole is not like keeping a fish; they have much simpler requirements. You need a few simple supplies to successfully raise a group of tadpoles, which requires minimal time and effort.