Lighting to maintain moss?

[Mr Bee]

Hi,

I find moss only lasts so long in my FBT tank before it turns brown and dies off, despite it being plenty moist and humid in there for it.
I have just replaced it last week with some Zoo Med Frog Moss, and some live clumps of "pillow moss" and its looking really noce at the moment, but I want to try and keep it alive and looking good, the pet shop said to try putting some lighting in to keep the moss alive, but I though FBT's didn't like lighting? or am I wrong?

Do other people have lighting in their FBT setups for moss/plant growth? and if so what sort?

Does it need to be a proper UV light, or will a low wattage normal incandescent bulb, or even LED lighting be ok?


If it matters I have a 60/40 split (water biased) with hydro balls and eco earth making up the land side. This is in an approximately 60x30x30 (or maybe a little bigger, cant remember exact size) aquarium tank with a glass and mesh lid.

Thanks

[Bombina Bob]

Hi Mr Bee. i keep FBTs with moss in my enclosure as well and i usually keep it moist by letting the water overflow slightly onto the land. With lighting I use 10 watt bulbs and the moss should do fine, just don't keep it too dry. I have the same light on my FBTs, its necessary for their day-night-light cycle. They usually like temps around 20 to 24 degrees and can tolerate temps down to 10 degrees. From my knowledge plants do not need UVB but can benefit the frog in calcium development. A low wattage bulb an/or even a strip LED light will work.

[Mr Bee]

Hi, thanks for the reply, I'm thinking of going down the LED route, as they add hardly any heat to the FBT tank and would be really easy to install.

Am I right in thinking that FBT's don't like it too bright, would a moonlight LED strip used through the day produce enough light to aid plant growth?
I'm only thinking moonlight so its nothing too bright for the FBT's and is a gentler lighting option, like a shaded area outdoors.