PH of peat moss vs. reed sedge moss

[leanne]

I have been using a commercial topsoil mix that contains 80% reed sedge peat and 20% sand for my tiger salamander----is the pH level for this all right?
I read on a webpage that the pH for peat moss is 3-4 and for reed sedge it is 4-7.5 ? I've been trying to keep away from peat moss/sphagnum moss and hope that the reed sedge is ok to use instead.

Can someone explain to me what this means, and if I can go on using this mix?

(Message edited by tadpole on February 26, 2004)

 

[jennifer]

Leanne, you can easily test the pH of the topsoil you are using. Just mix it with some water, let it soak and settle overnight, then test the pH of the water. (Water pH test kits are available at any pet shop.) This will give you a much better idea than any general advice about reed sedge moss.

 

[edward]

I would heavily recommend testing the pH of any of either of those items before using it. Anything with a pH below 6.5 would be putting most species of salamanders at risk due to ion loss.
Ed

 

[leanne]

Thanks guys---I went into the forest and dug up some soil and am going to test the pH of that and then use it if it's in the acceptable range. Thank you again for the help