Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok my question is should you mist the soil, or make it moist some how, before you introduce plants?
-----
Click Here to See My Dart Tank In The Making

Yes. The soil should be thoroughly damp, but not soggy, BEFORE you put it in your tank. Just mix it in a bowl with some water and sqeeze out the excess. Otherwise it will be difficult to dampen uniformly. After planting, mist it down again to help settle the soil around the roots and wash any debris off the plant leaves.
-----
Patty
Lost River, Idaho

Why doe's it have to be before you put it in your tank???I never have done this and cant imagine why you would need to?
-----
Brian Ferriera JR
Plympton, Ma

P. Terribilis (orange)
P.Bicolor (soon)
D. azureus
D. ventrimaculatus
E. hahneli
D. tinctorius (Oyapok )
D. Fantasticus
D. leucomelas
D. castaneoticus (soon)

I just find that dampening the soil ahead of time makes most potting soils easier to handle, depending upon whether it is totally dry to begin with or not. Some commercial mixes are already uniformly damp. Very dry brown peat, dry leaf molds for instance, are difficult to moisten the first time because the fibers are more loose and aren't contacting each other closely for even water distribution at first. Either way, it isn't a matter of life or death, just preference.
-----
Patty
Lost River, Idaho

I should have taken into account not every one use the same soil that I use (tree fern, Charcoal, orchid bark, peat) is easer for me to put in the tank first my apologies
-----
Brian Ferriera JR
Plympton, Ma

P. Terribilis (orange)
P.Bicolor (soon)
D. azureus
D. ventrimaculatus
E. hahneli
D. tinctorius (Oyapok )
D. Fantasticus
D. leucomelas
D. castaneoticus (soon)