Ammonia and pH help in terrestrial setup

[Steve B]

So I am doing research on maintaining a healthy habitat for my upcoming pets. I see alot about ammonia and pH for water tanks, but not too much about terrestrial setups. Will I need to monitor these variables with a terrestrial setup in a 55 gallon tank with 3-4 Ambystoma maculatum ?? All the test kits I have seen are for water...How do I test substrate?

 

[Kaysie]

These waste products don't build up as much in soil, as the bacteria and fungi in the soil will break them down pretty quickly. You'll have to change the substrate every couple of months just to keep them from building up too much, but I've never had a problem.

 

[Steve B]

Thanks Kaysie! I got my cork bark secured this weekend on the back wall. Got all my plants and "decor." Just waiting for the caulking to dry thoroughly before adding anything with moisture content. I am afraid it is getting too cold to order my sals though...

 

[jasper408]

The cold is usually not a problem for sals. :] What species were you planning on receiving, and what temperatures were you worried about?

 

[Steve B]

Yellow spotted. Right around freezing.

 

[Kaysie]

It's usually not a problem, as long as the shipper insulates well. I had my tigers shipped up and the weather was in the low 30's. They went 2-day.

 

[Steve B]

Kaysie: You are da best!

 

[jane1187]

Regarding pH of a terrestrial set-up, just avoid large amounts of sphagnum moss as it is naturally acidic (commonly found on acid heaths and bogs over here in the UK). Try to use other types of mosses too so that the pH doesn't stay low in the whole enclosure.