Moss?

[PiercePierceBinks]

Hello all;
I just got my first frog, a WTF, and the setup I'm running consists of;
Exo-terra reptile moss over reptile carpet. (Exo Terra Forest Moss - Substrate - Reptile - PetSmart)
Hidey log thing
Water dish
Heating Pad
NIght Light, Day Light
Temp and Humid. gauge.
Some plants
a few climbing obstacles.
reptile

The real thing I'm wondering is if the smell of the Terrarium's smell is ok. IT gives off a really gross "wet dog" smell, and my whole family hates it.
The humidity is at 45-50% consistently, and the temp is 70%-80% consistently.
SO, what should I be using for bedding? I heard that they can choke on the moss, so I want to change it to something that smells better and something safer for the frog.
ALSO, what else do I need?

[Leefrogs]

Substrate is always going to have a smell. U have reptile carpet already, so u really don't need the moss. But you will see humidity plunge. I would go and cut your reptile carpet in half, leave that part bare(maybe under water bowl), get coco husk for drainage, and put moss over that. No matter what u use, there's impaction danger and a smell. I'd prefer to call it an earthy smell. If u use Eco earth, that sours and needs to be changed competely quite often. Also, don't let anyone run around with air freshner by your terrarium, this is bad for your frogs. I say wait a few weeks or a month before you do any real changes. Let your little man settle in, and every1 will hopefully get used to it. But there are people who just use that carpet and nothing else.

[PiercePierceBinks]

Other than humidity, does the moss serve any purpose? Might I just be better off with the carpet? I live in CA so there is plenty of humidity throughout the year.

[Leefrogs]

your hummidity is low anyways, but no, mosses purpose is for humidity and a natralustic enclosure. If your frog seems to like it then I'd leave it. And if your hummidity stays that low, get a potted plant. If u get one from the store let it sit in running water over night to get all fertalizer out of plant. You probably have to check poisonis list too. Then repot it with organic soil. No pearlite or vermeculite. Get a pot with no drain, or plug the drain. If u water your plant and it hits heat mat it can crack your glass. make sure if your frog sits right on heat mat, it's not more than 95 degrees. Moss is handy for plugging up cricket hiding spots, and doesn't have a smell (as strong) if it dries out. But dry moss will stick to your frog. Bamboo can grow right from water with no soil, put by light or heat mat to increase evaporation. Try to keep humidity above 60, some say 70-80 is ideal. Maybe try using less moss in special places, and see how that goes. U can tell yr a city person, cuz us country folk like that smell. No offence.

[Leefrogs]

Also, assming u have mesh top, u can cover half with glass. I forgot that part since my very old terrarium, has full glass cover. Most every1 has to do that with new terrariums. But whites need air, so don't cover competely. Good luck