Substrate question for phants

[truehye]

I have been using coconut husk as my substrate but I always worry that the phants might choke on it while hunting if they get a mouth full if they miss the cricket, am I over reacting or does anyone have any suggestions or a preference?

 

[toksyn]

I use ABG mix, with crushed leaf litter as a thin top dressing. I find that the Ficus in my tanks is quite happy with this substrate, and it doesn't compact and become anaerobic. I let the trimmings from the Ficus fall on the substrate and decompose where it falls - I inoculated the substrate with springtails and isopods to help breakdown solid waste. I don't really witness my geckos getting mouthfuls of substrate even when they miss - the leaf litter top dressing probably helps a bit with that.

 

[toksyn]

Sorry to double post, but if you don't already know what ABG is, or for the benefit of others, ABG substrate is a mix of:
2 parts crushed tree fern
1 part peat (or coco fiber, but this is a modification)
1 part charcoal (crushed, something like aquarium gravel size)
1 part milled sphagnum
2 parts fine orchid bark

I tend to increase the ratio of charcoal to 2 parts as a personal preference, and decrease the amount of orchid bark arbitrarily.

 

[truehye]

Thanks man!! I knew I was doing something wrong, and I'm glad you commented cause I don't know what that mix is, I'm assuming you can't buy that premixed? Am I right?

 

[toksyn]

You can buy it premixed, actually. Check the websites for some of the sponsors of the forum, under vivarium supplies. Josh's Frogs has it for sure.

 

[Saurian]

I seen a female phant once digging around in the substrate Im guessing to find a place to lay eggs. She layed later but not in the substrate. She was gaping a bit and I saw some substrate in her mouth. I misted her a bit to try to help her get it out and later she end up regurgitating a fece sized clump of it. This was about 6 months ago. From what I can tell she is fine. Eating and drinking like normal. The substrate she was on was eco/jungle earth. I still use it cause I cant find something better. I thought about ABG but imo it still has the same stuff or the same sized stuff as the eco earth does.

 

[NigelMoses]

I originally started with phantasticus over 5 years ago, but really started keeping a greater number almost 2 years ago. I have never had an animal die from impaction. I have kept mine on a mixture of coconut coir and fir bark. Recently I started using my own mixture of abg mix and coconut coir with more fir bark added. Also if you place a pile of oak leaves in one corner the girls will tend to lay under the pile of leaves. I would think getting substrate in their mouths is only natural. I would assume they would use what ever method they feel necessary to dig. The great thing about ABG Mix is that it drains incredibly well and will not get as damp as straight coconut coir if misting is done properly.

Some would believe that the charcoal is not necessary and I agree. Charcoal seems only necessary with the Frog setups as the substrate is constantly wet.

 

[NigelMoses]

I too add isopods and springtails.

 

[truehye]

what are isopods and springtails?? ive only had phants for 6 months or so, so im fairly new to there well everything ive read people guides and postes here a lot just still had my own questions, and i appreciate all the help guys!

 

[pakinjak]

Springtails- Springtail - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Isopods- Isopoda - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you have live plants in your vivs, you likely have springtails already. They're very tiny, about 1/8". The isopods can be found under rocks and such once the weather warms up, and are great for tank cleaning.

 

[truehye]

oooohhhh that makes since! do the springtails serve a purpos? thats what i was asking like the purpose of them...and is this something i buy online? or just go outside and find them and i did do my research as soon as ii saw it all i got from wiki is what they are, not their practicaltiy in a viv so thanks for enlighting me!

and Bruce that actually exactly what i did when i was my phat with a mouth full was try to mist the cage more to help him get it down so i appreciate all these great ideas. i want to be a sucessful phant breeder. i have currently one egg that 2 months in inc

 

[pakinjak]

Springtails are cleaners too, just like the isopods. They're just smaller so they can't do as much work. If you want them, just get a potted plant and put it in your viv, they'll be in the plant.

 

[truehye]

any suggestions on plants? haha

 

[pakinjak]

I like sanseveria, and use pothos as well but there are many others. Those are just the ones I use right now.

EDIT: Very sorry, I forgot this was a thread specifically about phants. I do not keep them... I only have the larger Uroplatus and that's why I use the plants I do.

 

[toksyn]

I like to use larger Ficus bejamina pruned down to fit their enclosures, but I have to keep trimming them back every two weeks or so to keep them from growing through the mesh at the top of the tank.

NigelMoses remark about the charcoal is probably accurate . . . I'm just a little afraid to deviate from what already gives me fantastic results.

 

[Calfirecap]

I use a mix of 5 parts potting soil (Supersoil-no Perlite): 3 parts Coconut coir: 1 part fine sand. Seperated from bottom layer of gravel by a sheet of nylon window screen. Dry leaves scattered about on the surface which is where eggs are laid.