it sounds like a good idea, but it really isn't, unless you have plenty of time to maintain it properly. trust me, im speaking from experience. i setup several of my cresteds in a naturalistic vivaria after reading about it in vosjoli's book, after a couple months i tore them all out.



use newspaper or some type of tank liner at the bottom of the tank, it is much easier to keep clean.



if you are getting mold, then your tank is way too humid, and you aren't getting enough fresh air flow and it's getting stagnant.



the thing about a naturalistic setup, and im not saying this is you, but a lot of people dont clean them as often as they should because it tends to be a lot more work cleaning something that is planted and with the soil its hard to remove feces, unless you stir them in like the book recommends.



i actually use the heavy duty paper bags from the grocery store as tank liners, i just cut them to fit the tank, they work GREAT, they hold up much better than newspaper, they dont retain all the water like newspaper does when it gets wet, it works very well.



my tanks also get plenty of fresh air flow, a ceiling fan, screen tops, and if its warm enough outside i leave the window cracked open for fresh air.



just some things to think about.

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