Ask about sals substrates

[Endemico]

Hi at all.:happy:

What kind of substrate do you utilize in your salamandra (fire salamander) set up?

What kind of natural substrate do you think better?

 

[Greatwtehunter]

I use a 50/25/25 mix. That is 50% coco-fiber, 25% organic topsoil, and 25% forest dirt (the fluffy stuff). Some people will object against using dirt from outside because of the risk of parasites but in my opinion the benefits from the beneficial bacteria far out weigh the risks of parasites. If you go the route of dirt from outside just remember to get it from a place that is pesticide and fertilizer free.

 

[darwinthesun]

I also use soil in all my terraria. The benefits outweigh the concern: there are beneficial bacteria, you can plant live plants, ingestion isn't a problem, and it doesn't stick to their skin. I also like to add a few large rocks (especially a flat feeding rock) and moss around the bottom too. The moss also helps keep humidity levels high and is a nice place for sallies and fogs to hide.

 

[SludgeMunkey]

I use a mix nearly identical to Justin's, save I add in about a liter worth of dried, finely shredded sphagnum moss. (I run the moss through the food processor until it is the consistency of dry oatmeal then boil it for about 30 minutes. I then rinse it half a dozen times with ice water through a sieve. This eliminates the risk of a low pH issue from the moss!) I also throw in a few small handfuls of play sand.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

This eliminates the risk of a low pH issue from the moss!

I know this is straying from the topic but have you tried checking to see if the moss changes the PH before you boil it? I have found that this issue seems to effect sphagnum from certain areas. The sphagnum in the area I collect from doesn't change the PH, yet the kind I buy at Lowe's will.