Need advice about substrate for Ambystoma tigrinum.

[NIGHTRIDER]

I need help urgently with a dilema I encountered with the substrate for a couple of Ambystoma tigrinum [that I purchased for my son as a New Year gift] that will arrive tomorrow evening and that I am at the moment working on arrenging proper housing for them.
I planned to use as substrate Peat moss,late last night while reading about these salamanders I came about some info that puts the use of peat moss as a substrate into question.

At Caudata Culture it is mentioned that "It has been shown that substrates with a low pH, like peat moss, may cause ion loss and eventual death of the animal."
I am pretty confused because many care sheets at other sites recommend using peat moss as a substrate..:scratchhead::scratchhead::scratchhead:
I will appreciate advice from people here that keep Ambystoma tigrinum.
Many thanks in advance.

We have at home at the moment peat moss and also coconut fiber bedding,but I'm reluctant to use coconut fiber bedding because in the past it turned mouldy when used as substrate for tarantulas that need high humidity

 

[Hilde]

I've had dart frogs and salamanders on coco-fibre without a problem. It does mold if there's rotting organic matter mixed in, so you'll have to spot clean it every day or so (just remove the parts that are starting to show signs of 'hair' growing).
You could also mix some potting soil with peat to cut down on the acidity, but make sure it's not so damp to compact the soil and cause anaerobic conditions in the lower layers.
If there's good air circulation, there shouldn't be a problem with humidity based mold.

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

I've used a brand of soil called "Pro-mix" with good results. It's peat based, but guaranteed to have a zero (neutral) PH. And it doesn't have any types of fertilizer or anything in it, so it's safe. It's really good stuff. Doesn't turn into mud when it gets wet and doesn't turn into a brick when it gets dry. Very easy to work with.

 

[NIGHTRIDER]

Thank you.

Thank you for the advice.
A couple of hours ago I to called one of my colleagues at the zoo that keeps an Ambystoma tigrinum as a pet for over 5 years and turns out that she uses peat moss as a substrate for it all those years with no ill effects.
I will try the peat moss as a substrate for a couple of months for a trial period and in case there will be any sign of discomfort or ill change in the salamander will change the substrate immediately to coco-fibre.
I kept our Litoria caerulea 'dumplings' on peat moss substrate for a couple of years with no ill effects,but most of the time they tend to stay on the glass at the upper level of the rerrarium,hidden behind the artificial hanging plants so it's different from salamanders that are ground dwelling and in constant touch with the substrate.

As for the brand of soil called "Pro-mix" that you mentioned - I wish it was for sale here... most greenhouses and garden supply agencies here sell mixes that contain fertilizers so they are out of the qustion,to make matters even worse some mixtures do not have any indication of the ingredients on the bags they are packed in and most chances are that they contain fertilizers and pesticides...

Thanks again for your answers and kind help.