Frog Ponds

Some years ago kids used to go to the local creek or waterhole and come home with a bucket of tadpoles. They watched in fascination as these little swimmers with gills and a tail transformed into something with lungs and legs that hopped away during the night.
These days the waterholes around the cities are gone, the creeks are polluted and the few tadpoles that are left are likely to be toadpoles. Most of the places frogs used to breed have been filled in and replaced by a sea of red roofs. One way you can still enjoy these critters is by providing a habitat for them in your garden.
Ponds can be as simple or elaborate as time and budget allow. An old bath tub (non-metallic as metals will rust and contaminate the water), a childrens wading pool, pre-fabricated fibreglass shell, clam shell, terracotta pot, laundry tub, just about anything that holds water will attract frogs.
When setting up your new pond you should consider a few factors:

The location of your new pond.
Your pond should be positioned so that 2/3 of the surface water is in shade. Some sunlight is desirable as it aids algae growth, a source of food for young tadpoles. Your pond should not be placed under trees with poisonous sap or leaves such as oleanders and pine or gum trees. You may enjoy the frogs calling from your ponds on a wet summer night, but your neighbours may not. It's probably not a good idea to position your pond under your neighbour's bedroom window.

The species of frog already in your area
It is important to consider the species of frog already in your area when setting up a new frog pond. If your area has mainly ground frogs, you would be better suited for an in ground pond as these frogs do not climb well. If you have tree frogs in your area an above ground pond may better suit. If you are worried about cane toads taking over your pond, an above ground pond would better suit as cane toads do not climb well.

The plants and surrounds for your new pond.
Young frogs emerging from ponds are particularly vulnerable to dehydration and predatory animals such as lizards, birds, snakes, large spiders and domestic animals such as cats. Adequate ground cover around your pond will provide protection from predators and the elements. A balanced mixture of plants of varying heights will not only provide shelter but will also attract a wide range of insects on which frogs feed. Bordering plants which hang over the pond edge and into the water will provide shelter for maturing frogs and tadpoles feeding at the waters edge. Water plants produce oxygen and assist in improving the water quality of your pond. They also provide a resting place for emerging frogs and breeding pairs. As tadpoles return constantly to the surface to breath ensure that any water plants do not multiply to such an extent that it clogs or prevents the tadpoles' access to the surface. A watering system will assist in maintaining a moist environment preferred by frogs and low set garden lights will attract insects for your frogs to feed on.

Water for your new pond.
Water must be chlorine free. You can buy dechlorination tablets from the pet stores, collect rain water or leave buckets of tap water outside in the sun for 5 to 7 days. Once your pond is full, you should add fish for mosquito control. Pacific Blue Eyes (a native species) or White Cloud Mountain Minnows (an introduced species) are both suitable as they have relatively small mouths and will not eat larger tadpoles, however all pond fish will eat smaller tadpoles.