Substrate Help!!

[GreenTreeFrog14]

I have semi-aquatic newts,no salamanders I'am going to use the substrate for live plants and I want to know which is best.

[John]

For live plants I would avoid pure coconut fiber - it has zero nutrients in it.

[GreenTreeFrog14]

so then what do i use? 100% Organic soil?

[Grrrit]

I recently started using the ABG mix and works wonders for plants. Its long lasting , holds moisture, and at the same time drains really well. I cover it with leaf litter to keep my frogs from getting covered in it.

However, I'm not sure how it would work for a newt.

[John]

ABG mix should be fine for a newt, but not so much for a tree frog. Larger frogs risk getting some of the sharp pieces of tree fern fiber in their mouth and swallowing it, possibly leading to impaction. I do like the top soil idea.

[GreenTreeFrog14]

ok,thanks alot guys,so one last question(sorry iam asking alot) so i use organic and at the top use top soil covered in leaves?maybe mix eco-earth and plantaion soil at in the middle.(agian sorry iam asking alot)

[John]

Not quite sure what you mean by organic versus top soil. You can use part eco-earth or plantation soil, just don't use that as the only substrate component unless you don't have any other choice.