Substrate?

[ohyoufancy]

Anyone recommend any particular substrate for my vivarium? i was looking at the vivarium substrate from www.neherpetoculture.com but i am open for suggestions..... thanks

[Mitchgrunge93]

I would go with Eco Earth compressed Coco Fiber. They sell it at most pet stores. you just soak the brick in a gallon bucket of DISTILLED OR RO water and then squeeze out excess water after 30 mins. You'll want to lay down a layer of Sphagnum moss about 1 inch thick on top of the substrate, and then a leaf litter topping.

[DonLisk]

Hi ohyoufancy,
For most frogs you should use either Eco-Earth or Plantation Soil.
Both are digestible in case the frog swallows the soil when chasing down a meal.

How are you going to use the substrate? IE: as the only layer or with a drainage layer below?
I ask this because if your looking to help with humidity, having a drainage layer on bottom, screen material, a layer of sphagnum moss, and the the soil on top helps with retaining moisture for humidity. Having a drainage layer helps your top layer slowly drain off and not rot and stink.

If your doing Pacman frogs then your not needing a drainage layer since you would want to change out the substrate routinely.

[GrifTheGreat]

I would go with Eco Earth compressed Coco Fiber. They sell it at most pet stores. you just soak the brick in a gallon bucket of DISTILLED OR RO water and then squeeze out excess water after 30 mins. You'll want to lay down a layer of Sphagnum moss about 1 inch thick on top of the substrate, and then a leaf litter topping.

For a frog enclosure the substrate should be expanded in whatever type of water you would use for their soaking dish or water source. Distilled and RO are for misting.

[ohyoufancy]

well my tank is a little complex to explain its going to be a mountain surrounded by water with a waterfall running down the mountain but there is going to be a drainage layer with hydroton balls and egg crate with mesh over it....................soo overall you guys suggest the eco-earth? hopefully i will be putting up step by step pics of my tank as everything starts forming together just need to buy some plexi glass

[GrifTheGreat]

Eco-earth is probably the most commonly used. What type of frog is this for, btw? There are differences in set-ups depending on the species being kept.

[ohyoufancy]

most likely retf and lutino retf

[SNAKE]

Don't Forget that the leaf layer on the top is very important:
It is a natural hidding place, keeps the soil damp, very pretty, helps insects (detrivors) to reproduct, ...

[ohyoufancy]

Just making sure the Eco earth is fine for plants to live in and i was also going to add spring tails to help keep the tank clean.... will the Eco earth be OK for spring tails and live plants to live in?

[GrifTheGreat]

Just making sure the Eco earth is fine for plants to live in and i was also going to add spring tails to help keep the tank clean.... will the Eco earth be OK for spring tails and live plants to live in?

Yes Eco Earth is fine. You could leave your plants in small pots and bury them under the substrate if you didn't want to plant them directly into it. Either way is fine as long as there are no fertilizers and chems involved.

[Mentat]

Also recommend the Eco Earth! However after having had issues dealing with the compressed bricks and finding inside pieces of plastic and nylon ropes; I spend a bit of extra money and get the loose 8 quart bag.