Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, after my frog has taken in a piece of gravel accidentally, I am going to switch my substrate to sphagnum moss. I am just concerned, about how thick it should be, considering that I have a heating pad? Tell me exactly how I should lay out new impaction-free substrate please.

Don't use a heating pad, these frogs burrow to get away from the heat. use a heat lamp.

Sphagnum moss isn't impaction-free, so maybe you shouldn't use it. Live moss and large pieces would be most suitable I'd think, but impaction is definitely a possibility with sphagnum.

What can I use that is impaction free? A few substrates please.

Supposedly, and I believe it, milled coconut husk fiber is what can be safely passed if ingested. It's available at pretty much anywhere that would carry herp or herp supplies, and is very cheap. For about $4 you get a hard brick that dissolves in water to about 8 times that amount, so you can set up a couple of tanks with it. It looks almost like dirt when prepared, but a rich brown color.

I like it the best because it can hold moisture (and any excess can be, literally, squeezed out), plants grow in it, it's safe, it's clean, it's cheap, it looks natural, and it's very easy to work with. Some brands are Bed-A-Beast and Eco Earth. Good luck!