Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering what kind of "carpet layer" everyone has had the best luck with. The vivarium I am currently working with will have a false bottom made up of gravel or porous clay pellets. A sheet of screen will be put over that and sphagnum moss will be placed on top of that (possibly with some coconut fiber bedding mixed in) I have had experience with pillow moss "browning out" over time, so I guess my big question is what is the best kind of moss to use for a "carpet layer"? I guess it doesn't even have to be moss, just so long as it is attractive.
Thanks in advance
Nick

I've had the same problem with some of the pillow mosses, although some still grows in well lighted areas of many of my tanks. You can use Java moss, although it is a bit taller and you may need to trim it back a bit, and does best if your substrate is rather wet. One nice ground cover, although it takes a while to establish, is Ficus pumilio var quercus,(miniature oak leaf ficus) or a very similar plant (not sure it isn't the same thing and one has been misnamed,) is Hedera helix "duck foot" that Glasshouse works in Ohio carries under this name. Other Hedera helix called "Duck foot" ivy is much larger and different--not a ground cover at all. Other than that, a layer of leaf litter such as oak leaves or magnolia leaves makes a nice topping, and looks good, when nothing else will grow. Neither of these deteriorates rapidly, but you can just keep adding more if it does. It also provides tannins to the drainage water if you have a false bottom and falls, etc.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

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

one reason many mosses die back or complete die off is that it's a species that needs to do that. marketed tropical pillow moss is often taken from the northern states that get cold and thus no matter what type of moss you get (pillow, hair cap, rock cap etc) if it's from up north it will die. also, concider the ph as mentioned (tannin water of oak leaves and distilled water) is easily made like sun tea and that will help but you also need to consider where you're growing it in your viv. if you collect or buy moss, be sure it has some remain "homeland" soil or such attached to it. anyway...java is a water plant, i suggest selaginella and moss spores with bright light, lower pH soil and distilled water, not tap or bottled.
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Thnx,

Deven

forgot the photo

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Thnx,

Deven

Although Java moss is aquatic, it will grow on the substrate as well. I even have it on cork bark backgrounds, provided the bark stays fairly damp all the time. It is not as nice as the shorter mosses, however.

What type of moss is that in this picture, Deven? Very nice habitat, by the way.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

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

yup, it's a weed in deed! too stringy for me though.
that moss is a type of cushion that i grow. it's found to do great on bowl bowl rock and leafy soil. stay short and just spreads.
thnx.
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Thnx,

Deven