Substrate help

[dbizal]

Hi all,

Just sorting out my substrate and as I want to be keeping Springtails and Woodlice in with my D. leucomelas I was wondering if I should mix up my substrate? I am also going to keep real plants.

I currently have Eco-Earth of which is in a bucket now (I bought the condensed brick) and was wondering if I should mix anything in with it? I currently have some left over Tree Fern from when I built up the back of my enclosure, would that be good to mix in with it?

I have bought some Oak Leaves to spread over the top of the substrate, as well as 3 different types of moss - I dunno if this is information you need but thought I would share it anyway.

Any help is appreciated

[deranged chipmunk]

Coco fiber has zero nutritional requirements for plants, and the tree fern fiber will add a little bit. You can add some sphagnum peat moss to the mix, it will offer the plants iron, which they love.

As far as springtails and wood lice, plan on keeping cultures of them because your frogs will snack on them whenever they have the opportunity, so you will have to reseed the tank from time to time.

[dbizal]

I have ordered the following:
1 x Oak-leavesx100
1 x Sphagnum-moss-pack-1.5L
1 x Tropical Pillow Moss
1 x Tropical Sheet Moss x 1

So should I mix in that Sphagnum in with the Eco Earth? Or should I buy something else to mix in with it?

[deranged chipmunk]

that is a different kind of sphagnum. that will be long fiber sphagnum moss. it is a dehydrated version of live sphagnum moss. you would want peat moss. similar item, but more like a dirt.

[dbizal]

I have some cocoa peat left over from my planted fish tank (yeah bad idea using peat in it, I know this first hand and was recommended wrongly), it is about a third of a compressed brick, I could water it down and mix that in? Would that help with plant growth?

[deranged chipmunk]

are you talking about a compressed bale of peat moss? if so, then yes, that would work. not sure why you had an issue using it in a planted tank, i use peat moss in all my planted tanks. i also use it in the aquatic sections of my paludariums. wouldn't put a tank tank together without it.

[deranged chipmunk]

That is cocofiber. The same stuff as ecoearth. That explains why you had an issue with it in a planted tank. You want something more like this
http://www.scotts.com/smg/goprod/mir...d70252/8200004
But not this brand, it has fertilizers in it.

[deranged chipmunk]

Come on! You're from Britain. Isn't Scotland like 70% peat bogs? Lol

[dbizal]

Haha, ok I will have a look round now.

Well, I am the other side of the Country, so wouldn't know :P

Will this do the trick? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Ne...-/160950330476

[dbizal]

Not sure if you see the edit or not, so just getting your attention :P

[Mentat]

Can you get ABG type soil mixes locally? Those are ready to use in a vivarium as is. If not; here is the ABG formula (post no. 3) so you can obtain/mix ingredients yourself .

[dbizal]

Not that I know of, I kinda want to get the substrate in now though, been looking at an empty tank enclosure for at least a week or so... haha. I have some Tree fern I can break up and mix in with the eco-earth. I will try and find some of the peat moss but I really have no clue what I am looking for really... lol.

I have this site where I can source certain things, is there anything here I could buy? http://www.dartfrog.co.uk/equipment/landscape.html

Or this: http://www.gocompost.co.uk/erin-mult..._p22424987.htm

Sorry for the lack of knowledge, I am trying to get all the information I need before I actually get my frogs.

[deranged chipmunk]

That's not the one either. I did miss the edit

[dbizal]

Argh >.< haha.

I just posted above your last post also. Anything there? lol

I wish I was in the US... Would make things like this so much easier... and cheaper...

[deranged chipmunk]

I am going to look now. Was on my way home from work when I saw then post.

[deranged chipmunk]

I would go with their dendro soil. It's a compost loaded with micro fauna. Saves some steps. Being a compost, it should be chock full of nutrition for your plants.

[dbizal]

Should I mix that with the Eco-Earth or was buying the Eco a waste of time and money? lol

[deranged chipmunk]

You can mix it. You'll need it if that mix isn't enough substrate anyway

[dbizal]

Ah right, sweet. Well I was going to order some plants from that site anyway so can save on postage by ordering the mix at the same time.

Any suggestions on plants whilst I have your attention? :P

[flybyferns]

I believe you are considering leucs.
Given the opportunity, they enjoy climbing.
They will like to climb up to the brom.
So ,one lager one ( if it's your fav) would be fine.
Do what is pleasing to YOU.
You want to give them a way to get up to it.
The will snuggle and share.
Mine hang over the sides like 'Gumi Bears'

Remember, be careful of choosing one that has sharp leaf edges.
They scratch their faces

Keep in mind......this will NOT be your PDF 1st enclosure !!!!