[AndyRew]

Will this work as substrate for a day gecko terrarium? Miracle-Gro Enriched Sphagnum Peat Moss. Also, when planting directly into the substrate, do you completely rinse off the roots of plants?

[hexentanz]

I would caution against using that as it contains fertilizers.

[lindsaydo]

Amazon.com: Luster Leaf Long Fiber Sphagnum Moss - 432 Cubic Inches #1420: Home & Garden
Would that be a better alternative?

[hexentanz]

I usually go with this stuff Zoo Med Premium Repti Bark at PETCO and then plant plants directly in to pots using a mix of clay balls (hydroton) and potting soil (free of fertilizers) or coir bricks. I find this keeps the humidity just right.

Alternatively to hydroton you can also use seramis, I believe this is marketed under the name Rephashy Hatch Riight in the USA.

I would not use sphagnum though as this would retain too much moisture, leaving room for bacteria.

[AndyRew]

Originally Posted by hexentanz

I usually go with this stuff Zoo Med Premium Repti Bark at PETCO and then plant plants directly in to pots using a mix of clay balls (hydroton) and potting soil (free of fertilizers) or coir bricks. I find this keeps the humidity just right.

Alternatively to hydroton you can also use seramis, I believe this is marketed under the name Rephashy Hatch Riight in the USA.

I would not use sphagnum though as this would retain too much moisture, leaving room for bacteria.

Wouldn't the bark and hyrdoton cause impaction?

[hexentanz]

Originally Posted by AndyRew

Wouldn't the bark and hyrdoton cause impaction?

Pretty much anything you use in a gecko tank can cause impaction unless you use papertowels. The hydroton is never seen by them as it is used in the flower pots for the plants under the substrate or under the substrate layer in general.

Also I never had a day gecko try and eat the repti bark. Nor have I heard of this problem from any other Phelsuma owners where I live.

For larger day geckos like Grandis, I suppose it could cause an issue, but that is why one should choose wisely based on the size of their gecko.

[AndyRew]

Originally Posted by hexentanz

Also I never had a day gecko try and eat the repti bark. Nor have I heard of this problem from any other Phelsuma owners where I live.

Wouldn't they accidentally eat it while going after a cricket? not intentionally try to eat it?

[cacoonkitty]

no that substrate has fertilizer in ot that will be toxic..use a reptile substrate like coco fibre(fine eco earth substrate) comes in a dehydrated block that you add to waster so it expands to the origional size... onc eits in the viv pack it down hard with your hand ..keep it moist by spraying it and it will be just fine..it wont be able to be eaten if its packed down hard as will form a hard base and is also goo for plants to grow in i find..the geckos will be fine..i keep all my geckos this way and have done for many years..i keep many phelsuma with no problems it helps with the humididty too..its great.

[hexentanz]

Originally Posted by AndyRew

Wouldn't they accidentally eat it while going after a cricket? not intentionally try to eat it?

"Also I never had a day gecko try and eat the repti bark. Nor have I heard of this problem from any other Phelsuma owners where I live."

If you are worried however you can use the stuff cacoonkitty recommended.

[AndyRew]

Originally Posted by cacoonkitty

no that substrate has fertilizer in ot that will be toxic..use a reptile substrate like coco fibre(fine eco earth substrate) comes in a dehydrated block that you add to waster so it expands to the origional size... onc eits in the viv pack it down hard with your hand ..keep it moist by spraying it and it will be just fine..it wont be able to be eaten if its packed down hard as will form a hard base and is also goo for plants to grow in i find..the geckos will be fine..i keep all my geckos this way and have done for many years..i keep many phelsuma with no problems it helps with the humididty too..its great.

Thanks, im currently using that for my crested gecko but i was under the impression that it wouldnt support plant life well, but i guess im wrong.