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Thread: Substrate Help!!

  1. #1
    GreenTreeFrog14
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    Default Substrate Help!!

    So,Iam makeing vivarium's for my newts and salamanders and also my tree frog,and what I want to know is what soil/substrate should I use for live tropical plants that dose'nt have fertilizer's since they harm the amphibians sentitive skin,is zoomed eco-earth or exo-terrs plantation soil good for live tropical plants,I don't know what live plants are going in there yet but what substrate is good for growing most live tropical plants?Have you used this substrate?

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    100+ Post Member ViperJr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    From what I have read, Exo-terras plantation soil is excellent for salamanders, especially if it's a burrowing species. And from my own experince, it's works well to set plants directly in it.
    I also know that it's used by a lot of people, both here on the forum and in general.

    Zoo med might work equally good, but I have not really read anything about that, or used it myself, so I can not speak about it.

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    Moderator LilyPad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    I love the zoomed eco earth. I don't have any burrowing species, but my tropical plants are growing wonderfully in it.
    2.0.3 Hyla versicolor "Eastern Gray Tree Frogs"
    2.2.0 Agalychnis callidryas "Red Eyed Tree Frogs"

    0.0.3 Dendrobates auratus "Turquoise and Bronze"
    0.0.1 Anaxyrus fowleri "Fowler's Toad"



  5. #4
    GreenTreeFrog14
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    Ok thanks,I'll use eco-earht mixed with plantation soil,might have a greater effect.

  6. #5
    Dizzl
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    In my set up there is a drainage layer of bio-balls and gravel, covered with screen. My soil that goes on top of the screen is a mixture of coco fiber, clean soil, and crushed lava rock. I even tossed in a couple of earth worms.

  7. #6
    GreenTreeFrog14
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    Ok,where do you get the regular soil from? And why do you have earthworms and crucshed lava rock for airatoin right??

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    Founder John's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    The frogs side of things is dealt with pretty well on this site. The substrate choice for the salamander is a different matter. To give you a good answer for that one, could you please tell us what kind of salamander it is? If it's a burrowing salamander, like a tiger salamander or a spotted salamander, stay away from coconut fiber unless you're prepared to change it often. You'll have better look with a top soil mix sold at the hardware store. Just make sure it's free of artificial additives like fertilizers and perlite.
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

  9. #8
    GreenTreeFrog14
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    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.

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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    For live plants I would avoid pure coconut fiber - it has zero nutrients in it.
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

  11. #10
    GreenTreeFrog14
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

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

  12. #11
    Grrrit
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    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.

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    Founder John's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    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.
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

  14. #13
    GreenTreeFrog14
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    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)

  15. #14
    Founder John's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    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.
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

  16. #15
    GreenTreeFrog14
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    there's no diffrence between top and organic soil?lol ok then that answers all my questions,thanks

  17. #16
    Founder John's Avatar
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    Organic soil just means there's not chemical additives. Top soil is a distinct kind of soil that has a lot of aeration in it due to worms and recent plant growth. In hardware stores, the "top soil" they sell is an approximation of true top soil.
    Founder of Frogforum.net (2008) and Caudata.org (2001)

  18. #17
    GreenTreeFrog14
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    Default Re: Substrate Help!!

    ok thank's

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