2" is the minimum amount of substrate that I would recommend using. regardless of the amount of light the container allows in, sals still like to hide, espically burrowing down into deep substrate. if you have shallow substrate without proper drainage, then bacteria will begin to grow in the substrate and can adversely effect your sals health. if you go this method and keep the soil moist, then you should replace the soil every month, at least, to ensure good health. anything bagged from a retail store is skeptical at best for use with amphibians, since they absorb air and water through their skin, leaving them susceptible to absorbing chemicals and fertilizers that may be found in the soil. worm dirt also commonly has the dead bodies of eathworms in the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer, which will increase the rate of bacterial growth if present. glass aquariums are a good way to keep and display your sals. most salamanders do not need a high humidity enviroment if the soil is kept moist and a water bowl is provided to soak in. the depth of the water bowl is up to you, though anything over six inches is excessive. i have two 10" diameter x 2" deep resin water bowls for my sals. these need to be cleaned everyday to everyother day, regardless of wether they are used or not, again, to prevent bacteria growth in stagnant water. as for a substrate type, i like useing a mix of dendro bedding, coco bedding, and lose tree fern fiber from black jungle terrarium supply. the soil is naturally fertilizer free, contians much less sodium that other brands and holds moisture very well without decomposing quickly. bed-a-beast or forest bed are also good substrate choices.

below are pics of my 75 gal. tiger sal tank. there is 4"-8" of soil throughout the tank, a sturdy rock and wood built cave system, live plants, two water bowls(not pictured), live moss to help hold moisture and hid rocks. this is a simple and effective way of setting up a good tank that only needs to be cleaned every 4-6 months and provides an naturalistic look and feel for your pets.much better than a plastic container on a shelf.

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