Sterilizing Leaf Litter and Branches for Viv Build.

[Sarosaurus]

I am getting close to finally having all of the pieces I need to start working on my WTF terrarium. I have been slowly collecting what I will need to make this tank awesome for my pair, but the two things that have been eluding me have been the perfect branches and leaf litter to hide my substrate to keep Apollo and Artemis from swallowing dirt when when they're on the hunt for their delicious crickets.

I have a 24" x 24" x 18" for my pair (at the time of the purchase, I was trying to have the same foot print of a 20 gallon tall aquarium that was being housed in an entertainment center) and I would like to have some funky branches angled towards the front of the tank in attempt to the two towards the front of the tank. All of the setups I have seen so far seem to have everything built around the sides of the tank. I find the center to be wasted space.

My question is...

If I find something in my yard that is absolutely perfect, what is the proper procedure for making it safe for my tank? I have been told that baking the branches at 200 degrees for half an hour works. Is that all? Or should I boil it first (or soak it in extremely hot water) and then bake it? What about using leaves from outside? I found this site: New England Herpetoculture LLC - Substrate - Leaf Litter and directions for the leaf litter. Is that a good process to use? Or does anyone have a better idea?

[flybyferns]

Hi Sahah,

There is so much information about this ---it’s overwhelming. So lots of , personal, research is needed.
Here is some information off the top of my head. So, therefore I don't consider this a compete answer to your question.

< I found this site: New England Herpetoculture LLC - Substrate - Leaf Litter and directions for the leaf litter. Is that a good process to use? Or does anyone have a better idea?> In my opinion - Yes

First, I see you live in Washington. ( State?) if so...... mountain mahogany is thought to ok, just a thought.
The problem with picking things up off the forest floor makes it difficult to identify them. Especially the leaves.
The other hardwoods such as oak ?, maple or birch are said to be okay as well. Of course, you can always buy the typical woods like mopani or malaysian driftwood and tropical vines from a store. Check out the bird perches! On-line herp stores have enormous ( one of a kind) pcs to choose from. I’m a chicken so, I do not use anything from outside.

AVOID – cypress or cedar family woods.
And of course, avoid plants with spurs or rough edges, which irritate or actually tear the frog's delicate skin.

Cleaning it:
Scrubbing it then boiling it--- is what is typically done. ( 180 for an hour? -may prevent cracking)
Some people soak it in a very diluted ( 2%) bleach solution, rinse in vinegar water, then plain water, put it in the sun, then bake.

My method is scrub ( no soap) and bake; even the store bought stuff.

Leaf litter- my personal thoughts-- is to stick with store bought. It’s not a big investment. The larger leaves will take a longtime to breakdown. I boil leaf litter to clean it.


While we are at it, getting store bought plants ready to use. I see ( read) this done improperly over and over!

Plants are NOT ready to go right into an enclosure the moment you purchase them. They are shipped to a greenhouse or big box stores treated with insecticides, miticides, fertilizers. Even leaf shine to make them look pretty. All toxic! Wash the plants thoroughly with lukewarm tap water. Repot the plant….I use cocoa fiber mixed with ABG. Then, and let them get re-established for a minimum of two weeks outside the enclosure.

Here is a review of good “Toxic Plants” from:
List of non-toxic plants for your terrarium
(copied below – resource above )

• ABELIA (Abelia grandiflora)
• AFRICAN VIOLET (Saintpaulia ionantha)
• SWEET ALYSSUM (Allyssum sp.)
• ASPERAGUS FERN (Asperagus setaceus plumosis)
• ASTER (Aster sp.)
• BABY TEARS (Helxine soleirolii)
• BIRD'S NEST FERN (Asplenium nidus)
• BOSTON FERN (Nephrolepsis exalta)
• BOTTLE BRUSH (Callistemom)
• BOUGANVILLEA (Bouganvillea)
• BRIDAL VEIL (Tripogandra multiflora)
• BROMELIADS (Aechmea; Bilbergia; Cryptanthus)
• CACTUS, SPINELESS (Astrophytum)
• CAMELLIA (Camellia japonica)
• COLEUS (Coleus)
• CORN PLANT (Dracaena fragrans)
• CREEPING CHARLIE (Pilea nummulariifolia)*
• CROTON (Codiaeum sp.)
• DRACAENA (Dracaena)
• EMERALD RIPPLE (Peperomia caperata)
• EUGENIA (Peperomia caperata)
• FUSCHIA (Fuschia)
• GERANIUM (Pelargonium sp.)
• HEN AND CHICKS SUCCULENT (Echeveria)
• HIBISCUS (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
• HOYA (Hoya exotica)
• ICEPLANT (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum)
• IMPATIENS (Impatiens)
• JADE PLANT (Crassula argentea)
• JAPANESE ARALIA (Fatsia japonica)
• JASMINE (Jasminum officinale: J. grandifloum)
• LAVENDER (Lavandula officinalis)
• MARIGOLD (Calendula officinalis)
• MONKEY PLANT (Ruellia makoyana)
• MOTHER OF PEARL (Graptopetalum paraguayen)
• NATAL PLUM (Carissa grandiflora)
• PAINTED NETTLE (Coleus)
• PALMS (Areca sp.)
• PAMPAS GRASS (Cortaderia selloana)
• PARLOR PALM (Chamaedorea elegans)
• PEPEROMIA (Peperomia caperata)
• PETUNIA (Petunia)
• PHOENIX (Phoenix roebelenii)
• PIGGYBACK PLANT (Tolmiea menziesii)
• PILEA (Pilea sp.)
• PINK POLKA-DOT PLANT (H. ypoestes sang.)
• PONYTAIL PLANT (Beaucarnea recurvata)
• PRAYER PLANT (Maranta leuconeura)
• PURPLE PASSION: PURPLE VELVET (Gynura)
• SPIDER PLANT (Chlorophytum comosum)
• STAGHORN FERN (Platycerium bifurcatum)
• SWEDISH IVY (Plectranthus australis)
• TREE MALLOW (Lavatera assurgentiflora)
• UMBRELLA PLANT (Eriogonum umbrellum)**
• VELVET PLANT (Gynura aurantaca)
• WANDERING JEW (Tradescantia albiflora)
• WARNECKII (Dracaena deremensis)
• WAX PLANT (Hoya exotica)
• ZEBRA PLANTY (Calathea zebrina)
• ZINNIAS (Zinnia sp.

[UncleChester]

Here's a good resource for wood Caudata Culture Articles - Wood in Vivaria

I use leaf litter I collect from our Magnolia tree which I know doesn't have any pesticides or chemicals applied to it. I boil it like in your link, and then wait a few weeks for them to dry completely.

[flybyferns]

Here's a good resource for wood Caudata Culture Articles - Wood in Vivaria

I use leaf litter I collect from our Magnolia tree which I know doesn't have any pesticides or chemicals applied to it. I boil it like in your link, and then wait a few weeks for them to dry completely.

Thanks Brian,
Great site !

[deranged chipmunk]

I also collect and process my own leaf litter. Although, as lynn stated, it is inexpensive and i know of a very reliable source in the pac nw if you don't want to go throuhh the through the effort.

90% of hardwoods that are completely dead and dried out will work. I use a lot of oak in my vivs and aquariums. I roast it on low in my bbq for about an hour. But there are numerous ways to treat wood for a viv and they are all effective.

[deeishealthy]

What kind of retail sells leaf litter? Pet store? Plant nursery?

[Sarosaurus]

@ Lynn -- I live in the "city" and there is a tree that is in my yard. I think it's a maple. I am not sure if the management company treats these trees with pesticides just yet. I need to ask the apartment manager the next time I see her so I can ask. I know that skimping isn't the best route to go, but if I could use something from my yard, I would like to do so. I know there are places online that I can order leaf litter from that has already been treated, but I feel silly having a bag of leaves shipped cross country when I don't need anything else. :/ I work at the local pet store (not the big box one) and have managed to only find one piece of wood that I like. I snagged it and brought it home where it has been sitting in a paper bag behind my bedroom door for two months now? I know the look that I am going for and have become very picky in the process. We did get some awesome cork pieces in and I have been staring at them off and on for a while now. I might have to just take the plunge and spend the money on those instead. They're still super expensive even with my employee discount. D:

Thank you for all of the information on the plants! I just bought a Bromeliad, but since my tank isn't close enough to being ready to be re-done just yet, I haven't even gotten started on worrying about the plant. I have a Pothos in the tank right now and it's a sad looking little thing. I am no good with plants, so finding ones that are easy to take care of is a plus for me.

@ Brian -- Thanks for that link! It's awesome and very useful!

@ Bill -- Ooh! That would be amazing. When you get the chance, can you PM me the info?

@ Dee -- So far I have only found it sold by online retailers. I work at a pet shop and we can't get it in. Haven't checked with our local nursery though.

[flybyferns]

Sarah,
I would recommend that you DO NOT use leaves or wood from a city area!!!
Not only is it a risk of being unidentified and covered with pesticides but now mixed with rat, squirrel and raccoon feces !
It would be extremely difficult to sterilize. surprised frog

Have you had a chance to read the article Brian linked to in post #3.
It explains the reasons ,why, one should not to do this. And how to boil the wood.

http://www.joshsfrogs.com/wood.html

http://www.joshsfrogs.com/substrate/leaf-litter.html

The sea grape leaves are 4- 5 inches in diameter
The magnolia are about 5" long and 1 to 1 1/2" wide

http://www.neherpetoculture.com/subs...leaflitter.htm

A bag of sea grape leaves will last a very , very long time. (years) I have some that I have boiled 3 and 4 times after being used in a quarantine setting ( any they STILL have not ,even, started to breakdown ) They can be curled when they are still wet - and hold the shape nicely. The darts love this---it makes little tunnels. Let them dry completely and then store them in a dry area.

Lynn

[flybyferns]

What kind of retail sells leaf litter? Pet store? Plant nursery?

Herp and reptile stores

[Sarosaurus]

@ Lynn -- I did read the article. It was very useful. And I am just asking questions and trying to gain some insights before I actually go and do something that might hurt my frogs. Trying to be as prepared as possible.