Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thanks, Jon

there is a mix i am going to get called Orchid Mix. Its a mixture of fir bark and horticultural charcoal. This is goin to be the base of my substrate, i might mix some peat moss in as well. I think it will work just great, are there any opinions about this?

Jon

You can get coco husk chips at most plant nurseries. As long as the orchid mix doesn't contain fertilizers, it would serve as a base for your substrate, as long as you put some finer material on top such as leaf litter, organic compost, etc. Don't add garden peat to the basic substrate. It may defeat the purpose of providing good drainage.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
4 P. terribilis
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus

What other "finer" materials could i use on top of this mix? And also, what types of plants would grow well in this mixture? I only ask because i want to get some plants in soon and get this vivarium running.

Nurseries carry organic soil mixes as well as organic compost, which are also free from vermiculite and perlite, both of which are a pain in a vivarium, especially if you have a pond or waterways. Milled brown sphagnum moss is nice if you can find it, and so is milled cocoanut husk. This is much like Bedabeast only sold in bulk for gardens and cheaper. It's a bit more coarse. It may take awhile to get the "nitrogen cycle" going with the latter two, as they don't break down easily and take up available nitrogen to do so rather than releasing it to the plants right away. A topping of leaf litter is nice, especially if you can get oak leaves or magnolia. I don't like the dark brown peat used alone, as it gets soggy and packs. (For some weird reason, I also seem to be allergic to it.) I have used a lot of different things. I think the best so far has been a layer of organic compost topped by a layer of milled cocoanut fiber. Just don't use the potting mixes with added fertilizers. It's not good for the frogs and may cause excess plant growth.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
4 P. terribilis
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus

Sorry, I didn't answer you plant question. Pilea, Peperomia, small ferns, bromeliads, of course, Fittonia, small ficus, miniature ivy,etc. I have posted some pictures of some of the plants I have used in the gallery under cages and terrariums--user: slaytonp. I have some Gesneriads in there (kohleria, sinningia) that work only in very highly lighted and well drained situations, so you might avoid those to begin with. Miniature begonias seems to come and go, but are nice for a long time with good light and drainage. Selaginellas (club moss) are quite nice for damp areas. I have a wonderful miniature creeping "ivy" which I'm doubting is actually an ivy, but may be some kind of ficus. It was sold to me as "duck foot" ivy, which it certainly is not.

Experiement a bit and don't be afraid to just remove anything that grows too large and takes over.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
4 P. terribilis
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus