Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been using bricks of shredded orchid bark but am looking for options. Many articles suggest a potting soil base with orchid bark in it. Other articles mention cypress bark chips. If my planting is in pots, will the cypress bark be sufficient. I'm concerned about the humidity in their terrarium. We have air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter which keeps the house relatively dry which is useful as we have allergies.
My gold dusts look healthy but I have had them for only a year so my experience is limited.
Any suggestions??
John

I too have the heating/ac issues and I've found that coconut bark chips hold the humidity quite nicely. Coconut earth also holds the humidity, but not as well as the bark chips. T-rex makes it.
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Lisa

1.0.0 P.m. grandis (Linus)
3.3.0 P. standingi (Kona and her 5 babies)
R.I.P. Toby (7/5/06) I miss you...

I just have a 10 gallon on its side filled with about 4 inches of dirt and plants planted in the dirt. If you do this make sure it is 'natural' dirt with no fertalizer of vermiculite or thoes little white beads. I use a small piece of plexiglass I glued in place to keep the dirt from leaking out of the screen top (now the side).
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1.1.0 Emerald Swift
0.1.0 Mantella madagascarensis
0.1.0 D. auratus (Spotted)
0.1.0 D. auratus
0.1.0 D. auratus (Blue)
1.1.0 Crested Geckos
1.1.0 Phelsuma lauticada (Gold Dust Day Geckos)(plus many babies)

If I had only known, I would have been a locksmith - Einstein

I like your idea of the 10 gal. tank on its side which allows for a deep substrate. How do you handle lighting and UV B?
John