Question: Type of soil to use???

[broadbent30]

hey every one,

im not sure which type of soil i should put in my tank for my morphing axolotl?

i went to bunings and tried to find the "cleanest" potting mix but im still not use if it will be safe for him it says its orgainic but biologicly active?

any ideas in potting mix will be ok for him?

Thanks

Michael

 

[pepper]

Well first, you probably have some type of salamander, not an axolotl.

And organic soil without fertilizers will be okay.

 

[broadbent30]

Well first, you probably have some type of salamander, not an axolotl.

And organic soil without fertilizers will be okay.

Thanks mate

 

[Jennewt]

Rather than potting soil, you might do better with plain old dirt from outdoors. If you are worried about infestation, bake at low temperature or microwave before use. The problem with potting soil is that it often contains fertilizers and other things that aren't good for sals.

 

[dianabee]

I buy top soil. There's no pesticides or other additives.
Also, as Jennewt suggests, I microwave the dirt before i put it in the tank.

 

[broadbent30]

Rather than potting soil, you might do better with plain old dirt from outdoors. If you are worried about infestation, bake at low temperature or microwave before use. The problem with potting soil is that it often contains fertilizers and other things that aren't good for sals.

How long would you say to microwave it??? i only have limestone and **** dirt around me and cant find any normal soil at bunnings???

 

[Jennewt]

You just need to microwave it until it is very hot. I use a big glass pot for this, and monitor the temperature by feeling the outside of the pot. When it's very hot and the contents look "steamy", it's done. It won't be 100% sterile, but it will have killed almost anything that could be living in it. Note: I take no responsibility for the safety of this procedure! It is remotely possible that a rock could explode during microwaving (or baking, for that matter). Microwaving too long could also have other undesired effects!

If you really can't find any plain "dirt", pet stores do sell suitable substrates. I don't know what's available in AU, but here in the US we have coco-fiber (bed-a-beast) and various jungle-mix products that are soil-like.

 

[spendday]

Well first, you probably have some type of salamander, not an axolotl.

And organic soil without fertilizers will be okay.

it will be an axie all others are illegal in Australia they morph through injections of some hormone or something (personally I am against this practice as I see it as cruel) also i would go with orgainic potting soil