re-usable - machine wash/dry substrate w/ red-eye tree frogs

[flybyferns]

As some FF friends know, I use fleece fabric for substrate.
It soft, holds a ton of moisture, and is re-usable.
It is put through the washer and dryer, changed 3 times/week. It takes ,literally, 1 minute to change.
Obviously not good for a frog that needs to burrow.

Maybe my idea is not so far fetched ?

Check out this exo terra product. I wonder if this can be machine washed?
Exo Terra : Moss Mat / Terrarium Substrate

Lynn

[helm96]

So I seen this Exo Terra stuff at a reptile store here in town and have contemplated picking it up every time I go in. I love the look of moss and its moisture holding properties but do not like the chance of ingestion part. I do not think that it is machine washable do to the nature of how it is constructed to look like moss. The box implied that you should hand wash. It was $10 for a 18"x18" piece so not horribly priced I guess. I am wondering how ever can a frog get impacted if it eats strings? It appears to be contructed of a bunch of little strings that are intertwined.

[flybyferns]

I agree. That could be possible? I have never touched this exo-terra moss mat.
The fleece fabric does not ravel , pill, or get fussy. I've washed it a zillion times.
(so no chance of a frog ingesting it)
It's flat- it's green but not moss looking.
Plus, I worry about the crickets eating stuff like this moss mat.
Crickets do not eat the fleece.

Pro and Cons in using something washable.
If one can only "rinse" the moss mat. I would worry about getting it clean?
There could be a lot of moo moo hiding the the "moss" lol

Lynn

[kueluck]

I picked up the moss matt at the last show I went to along with the Exo Terra Exploraium. I plan to use this on my grey’s to hang them outside when the weather turns nice for some fresh air. On the moss matt, you can pull the threads off the base if you tug at it. The guys said the average frog would not be able to pull this off. I dunno and since my frogs are tong feed I’m not worried about it but I wouldn’t use this on free feeding frogs. I never thought of fleece, what a GREAT idea. I can put that in my CCC (critter care center) a.k.a. 10 gal tank. I have one set aside and ready in case I need to quarantine.

[flybyferns]

I picked up the moss matt at the last show I went to along with the Exo Terra Exploraium. I plan to use this on my grey’s to hang them outside when the weather turns nice for some fresh air. On the moss matt, you can pull the threads off the base if you tug at it. The guys said the average frog would not be able to pull this off. I dunno and since my frogs are tong feed I’m not worried about it but I wouldn’t use this on free feeding frogs. I never thought of fleece, what a GREAT idea. I can put that in my CCC (critter care center) a.k.a. 10 gal tank. I have one set aside and ready in case I need to quarantine.

Gail,
The fleece is awesome !
If you don't mind not having "natural" , "traditional" viv substrate.
You can purchase it for 4$ /yard - 60 " wide.
It come in lots of green, tan and brown colors colors.
I machine wash it with a speck of bleach - no soap- dryer ( the bleach totally evaporates in the hot dryer )
I soak it in water before putting in to the viv. An 18 " square pc will soak up about a quart of prepared water.
( This takes a few minutes- you have to squish it like a sponge )
When ready , it takes 2 seconds to grab the old one and replace it with a clean one.

My red eyes feed on this. I do not use a bowl.

It's not for everyone but it is my way for my red eyes.
Lynn

[helm96]

My Red Eye is in a somewhat temp home till I move my Whites to their next tank so I am currently looking into all the different possibilities. I love the look of the fully natural dirt moss and planted plants. However the upkeep can be time consuming when it comes to the major tear down cleans. Your way sounds as if your enclosures are cleaned very quick and easy! I looked at your setup in your gallery and it may be a consideration for my RETF. I do not think I could go potted with my whites however, they are so big and distructive they would fly by like a wrecking ball, then I see myself having to replant a lot of stuff. Alot of their plants are plastic for this reason!

[flybyferns]

Will,
Keeping the plants potted (just- simply keeping plants) is something I really enjoy anyway.
I rotate most of them in and out of the viv. and put them under a plant light.
This help to maintain a nice health looking plant.
( plant maintenance , if needed, is done when the plant is out of the viv. )
Less time bugging the frogs!





Lynn

[helm96]

Wow, now that is a plant collection! They all look very nice and healthy!