Red Eft Substrates

[ColinMeth]

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to the forum. I just inherited a Red Eft, currently set up with gravel. I would like to set him up with dirt and sphagnum moss. I keep reading references to pot soil. What I keep seeing in terms of pot soil and moss at the store has a miracle grow or other similar label on the side. Do I need a special "all clear" type of soil and moss that is free of certain chemicals or will this stuff be ok? Also, as a general rule, can someone give me a primer or point me toward discussion of the possibility of using found rocks and wood as opposed to store bought, both for terrestrial and water newt tanks.

Thanks so much,
Colin

 

[Kaysie]

Sphagnum and pot soil are not appropriate. DO NOT use anything with fertilizer in it.

I've use EarthGro from Home Depot for 6 or 7 years and not had any problems.

As for 'found' items, they should be fine. If you're worried about transmission of disease, you can always boil things. Non-porous items can also be dipped in a 10% bleach solution and rinsed (and then rinsed some more, and one more time for good measure).

 

[ColinMeth]

Thanks Kaysie. I just looked at EarthGro products and saw that they have many, including mulches, top and pot soil, etc. Which one do you use or are all EarthGro products OK? Also, what do you recommend in place of the moss to ad a green element?

 

[Kaysie]

Topsoil.

I also usually mix it 1:1 with reconstituted coconut fiber. It helps it hold moisture better.

Moss usually doesn't do well in terrariums. You can always give it a go. I use pothos ivy in most of my set ups.

 

[Jan]

With regard to wood, sterilizing can be achieved by baking...see below article from our Caudata Culture section:
Caudata Culture Articles - Quarantine and Disinfection

 

[Kaysie]

But don't bake rocks. They may explode in your oven.

 

[Azhael]

I use the reconstituted coconut fiber, Kaysie talks about, alone. The problem is it sticks to certain foods, so i use a generous layer of leaf litter on top to avoid just that. They seem to really like all the hiding and moisture gradient possibilities that the leaf litter offers.