Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know Im in the wrong forum kinda, because Im making a vivarium for my crestie, but I figure more people with dark frogs and whatnot use live moss, and plants and stuff that the people over at the crestie forum, so I need advice.

Well first off, the substrate Im using is at the bottom to top, rocks for drainage, and then screen to divide the soil and rocks, and above the screen is a soil mix, then bed abeast, since it would be easier for my crestie if ingested is over the soil. Now I gathered some moss from my backyard. No pesticides, or chemicals are in them by the way, but I couldnt get large pieces, some are large, and some are smaller. So it kinda looks crappy when pieced together. Will they grow together sort of and look like one piece of moss, rather than a bunch of pieces? Also, how do you guys keep the moss watered enough? Im not sure how moist it has to be to stay alive, so would a misting or two a day be enough? Also, if there are bugs in it, how would I go about getting rid of them (in the moss that is)?

Again, I know I dont have any frogs, but I know more of you guys use live moss than crestie owners.

Thanks alot in advance!!!

Well in my experience of picking moss and fungus from the mountains and trying to encorparate it in the terrarium not all ends well. the moisture is never right and the temps are to high. but if it could work then yes a good misting would be fine. is your setup a dry arid theme or is the ground damp. i have heard people in here say to put the moss in a glass jar with some dry ice and the fumes will kill the bugs. so do this seperatly from the animals. i have always though of geckos like a walking tailed frog. i would own some except for the dry setup.
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Richard
AKA
"spent change"

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1) pacific tree frog "spinach frog"
2) green tree frogs

Thanks. No its not arid. The humidity is around 60%, and around 80 F. My geckos isnt one from an arid climate though, more of a humid climate, a rainforest. So the humidity and stuff shouldnt be much of a problem, but I hope it lives thoough. I also am going to try this buttermilk method, but with yogurt. I dont know if any of you heard of it though. Basically you put pieces of moss and an equal amount of water and yogurt (or buttermilk) in the blender, and pour it or paint it on whatever you want it to grow on.

The temperate zone mosses may not work for long, since they may go through periods of dormancy. You can purchase tropical sheet mosses of various sorts that may work well for you, however if the cresty doesn't trample it too much. They may call it "sheet moss, pillow moss, frog moss," etc. and there are several species. Try Black Jungle or Wholesale Vivarium supply. I got some nice moss that is working fairly well for me from the Arizona frog day that was labeled only "Frog Moss" and had the latter company's name on the container. The phone number on the container is 715-212-7378. They may be able to tell you where the nearest dealer is. The moss was actually in small dry sheets when I got it, and livened up with watering. Unfortunately, sellers rarely tell you the exact species, so it's a bit difficult to exchange information about which ones end up by working the best.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
7 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
6 P. terribilis mint and organe
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus
2 P. lugubris