New here hello:) -help on substrate

[Geckogirlemi92]

I have a pacman frog named, Frank. He was impacted/unhealthy when I got him its been a LONG road but he's(??? Idk if hes a he just guessing) healthy and eating properly and growing now. Ive had him on paper towels, definitely not using coco fiber again not for the fact he was impacted, that was the pet stores fault for not feeding him much. BUT it mildews and smells something horrible even changed weekly . What is the best substrate in you guys opinion besides eco earth/coco fiber? I've heard moss is ok by some but then I've heard it is more likely to be eaten by others. Confused but I think now he's healthy its best to change him from paper towels for his own "happiness", just confused on what to get or if to even change his substrate at all. Not many options besides coco fiber or moss I've seen. Help

[Kevin1]

Hello and Welcome. Please don't use the sphagnum moss many many many frogs have been impacted by it. Your frog is the first frog I've ever heard of being impacted by coco fiber. If you don't want to use that, some organic topsoil should do well.These frogs feel most secure and happy when they are able to burrow into substrate

[Geckogirlemi92]

Thanks SO much! I am gonna try Hagen Exo Terra Plantation Soil 3-pack and see how it works. I really wasn't trying to blame the coconut fiber, it was the pet stores fault, when i bought him he was on it but either way he was impacted from something which even may have been feeding him to big bugs or he was hungry and eating the substrate he was thin when I bought him.....But regardless of what it was boy did it give him a hard time.
When I tried to use the coconut fiber it grew mold in a few days and it was just smelly and a mess. I talked to one guy who bred bearded dragons and had beautiful albino pacmans and he used very moist moss and had great luck with it but I was like ehh I dont know I should ask. Hopefully I will have better luck with the soil substrate in the link I posted. I have had him a year and a half and he still isn't very big but has gained weight and looks healthy, just small. do you think his growth was stunted from being so thin when I got him? I am normally a lizard kinda girl, but my boyfriend asked me to buy him bc he felt sorry for him he was so sick looking. Bad idea(I DO NOT normally buy from pet stores, haven't had good luck) but hes ended up better! I have ended up loving the lil guy these frogs are truly awesome/precious little animals. If I weigh him/get a pic and post it do you think you could tell me if he looks normal size? Again thank you.

[MikeM670]

Getting some mold on your substrate is not that big a deal. Its a normal part of a tank settling in. It will go away unless you really have some imbalance that is causing it. I keep very wet tanks and only had one with a mold issue which was caused by a improper water feature that kept saturating the substrate with standing water.

[Geckogirlemi92]

Really? Like all over half the tank? I thought that might make him sicker

[Kevin1]

Thanks SO much! I am gonna try Hagen Exo Terra Plantation Soil 3-pack and see how it works. I really wasn't trying to blame the coconut fiber, it was the pet stores fault, when i bought him he was on it but either way he was impacted from something which even may have been feeding him to big bugs or he was hungry and eating the substrate he was thin when I bought him.....But regardless of what it was boy did it give him a hard time.
When I tried to use the coconut fiber it grew mold in a few days and it was just smelly and a mess. I talked to one guy who bred bearded dragons and had beautiful albino pacmans and he used very moist moss and had great luck with it but I was like ehh I dont know I should ask. Hopefully I will have better luck with the soil substrate in the link I posted. I have had him a year and a half and he still isn't very big but has gained weight and looks healthy, just small. do you think his growth was stunted from being so thin when I got him? I am normally a lizard kinda girl, but my boyfriend asked me to buy him bc he felt sorry for him he was so sick looking. Bad idea(I DO NOT normally buy from pet stores, haven't had good luck) but hes ended up better! I have ended up loving the lil guy these frogs are truly awesome/precious little animals. If I weigh him/get a pic and post it do you think you could tell me if he looks normal size? Again thank you.

Yea the stuff you posted looks good. If you post a few pics of him we can tell you if he's of normal size. Or you could measure him(SVL) and let us know.

[Geckogirlemi92]

Thanks I am going to try to get some pics/measurements tonight

[DonLisk]

Like Mike said, a little mold may happen and will eventually go away unless its standing water.
The plantation soil is a really nice substrate.

Should work nicely with your Pacman.

[Geckogirlemi92]

He is so very small since I have had him since Aug. 2009. I still have the paper where I bought him from petsmart he looks like hes still a baby though. I have no idea if "hes" male or female but here is the pics oh and that bright light isnt always on just for pics

[Kevin1]

Let me start off by saying that's a beautiful Cranwelli. Most adults don't have that much green on them. Secondly your frog looks very healthy and appears to be an average size for his species. Not small at all.

[Geckogirlemi92]

Thank you SOOOO much, Kevin! You have no idea how much I appreciate it! They told me he was an ornate horned frog. so thats why he is smaller bc he isnt an ornate hes a cranwell's thanks a ton really!

[Kevin1]

It's no problem. Happy to help you out.

[Geckogirlemi92]

Just giving you guys who helped me out an update. Frank is now on the plantation soil which turned out to be coco fiber. Says plantation soil on the label but it feels, and looks just like coco fiber. Anyway he is doing well, enjoying the soil and still eating ok. I was kinda nervous but he seems "happier" already. Thanks again guys.

[Kevin1]

That's good to hear. The plantation soil is from the coconut plantations, coco-fiber happens to be a by-product from coconuts.

[Baelari]

I find that my tank gets a soured smell if I don't uncover it and let the air circulate at least every other day. I usually just take the lid off and mist even if humidity is fine.

[artes]

When I get mold, I just stir the soil really well so it decomposes and goes away. Seems to work. At least that's my theory, and I AM a blonde, so...

[LilyPad]

The only mold I have ever had in my tank was from dead crickets that got missed or frog poo that got missed. The substrate itself has never molded and always smells fresh and earthy. I also have a load of plants growing in it, maybe that helps?

Beautiful frog by the way!! Love the colors.

[artes]

The plants help. My mold went away when I planted mine!

[demeteraurion]

Just wondering if I can use some organic soil or humus available at Home Depot or Lowe's or something? I heard that this was a cheaper option to eco earth. Just wondering as I'm cleaning Rupert's tank tomorrow and don't want to go to the pet store.