peat moss and real plants
- Thread starter gecko75dd
- Start date
CrestedRick
Active member
Please please do research before you run outside and use stuff from outside inside the tank. Too many people use stuff that they have no idea whats in instead of doing the research and buying "clean" products.
CrestedRick
Active member
See we hve different views on that, i treat all my stuff, plants branches moss etc. anything tht goes in my tank gets baked in the over. Are you doing a natural viviarum?
Aimless
Super Moderator
me? you'd better believe it. all my geckos are in planted tanks except babies and young juveniles. I also don't bake branches, either. I rinse very well, then put in the sun for a few weeks to get good and dry. if they're green, I leave them outside until they cure, in a nice dry place and not on the ground.
in over 6 years of keeping geckos (and snakes) with such branches, I've only ever had a problem once: baby slugs hatched out in a gecko viv. I had to remove her and re-do the viv. otherwise, never an issue.
that being said, I also live in a place where there are little to no natural herps, which might carry gecko-specific diseases around. if I was in Florida or something, I'd be less inclined to go cut a branch.
I do use cork bark and such, too, but I figure I'm more likely to kill off a gecko with some parasite picked up in a pet store or at a herp show than a few bacteria from the environment.
in over 6 years of keeping geckos (and snakes) with such branches, I've only ever had a problem once: baby slugs hatched out in a gecko viv. I had to remove her and re-do the viv. otherwise, never an issue.
that being said, I also live in a place where there are little to no natural herps, which might carry gecko-specific diseases around. if I was in Florida or something, I'd be less inclined to go cut a branch.
I do use cork bark and such, too, but I figure I'm more likely to kill off a gecko with some parasite picked up in a pet store or at a herp show than a few bacteria from the environment.
CrestedRick
Active member
Very true! I just bake and process everything lol. I spent good money on my cresties so I wont take any risks! Im glad you havent had any issues with yours!
Aimless
Super Moderator
thanks. realistically, though, the stuff that really scares me is things like crypto. you can bake and bleach all day, and it won't get rid of it 
I see what you're saying and I know a lot of keepers do the same. I've had Mad-Mads, Tokays, Cresties, and my Leachie (aside from the pythons) this way for a long time and I think you just need to be careful not to use anything moldy, or pick something toxic. I go for the naturalistic approach and have isopods and stuff, too, and I guess I'm less inclined to worry about random environmental bacteria than I am about chemicals and stuff.
I see what you're saying and I know a lot of keepers do the same. I've had Mad-Mads, Tokays, Cresties, and my Leachie (aside from the pythons) this way for a long time and I think you just need to be careful not to use anything moldy, or pick something toxic. I go for the naturalistic approach and have isopods and stuff, too, and I guess I'm less inclined to worry about random environmental bacteria than I am about chemicals and stuff.
CrestedRick
Active member
Ya i have springtails and isopods and they do a good job on the cleanup. I trust my people but I just process everything. I even pick the poop out if i see it just becuase i dont like seeing it lol.
SpottyDotty
New member
Yes...
I am going through a whole white fuzzy mold issues because I took a branch from the ground that still had bark on it and was wet inside...do those isopod things kill mold or do they just keep the general up keep? I'm re-doing the tank all together because the mold has spread do the substrate...i hate being a newbie sometimes lol!
I am going through a whole white fuzzy mold issues because I took a branch from the ground that still had bark on it and was wet inside...do those isopod things kill mold or do they just keep the general up keep? I'm re-doing the tank all together because the mold has spread do the substrate...i hate being a newbie sometimes lol!
CrestedRick
Active member
Did u process it before you put it in the tank? Idc if I just got a vine from my herp people i boil and/or bake it on the lowest oven setting for 10-15min. Isopods and springtails are the general cleanup team. They eat the droppings, the mold and dead vegetation.
SpottyDotty
New member
No, I didn't do what you said, again I was a noob lol! I really want to turn it into a real live set up this time around, but is there somewhere that sells the supplies (clay balls, screen, plants, and substrate) cheap because pet shops are killing me!!! Especially seeing as I have to re-do the biggest tank due to the mold *sigh*
CrestedRick
Active member
Sorry lol. Here this is where I bought my geckos and everything ive needed for setup. They communicate well and their prices are the best. New England Herpetoculture LLC - Home check them out. They have an entire tutorial on viv setup and plant packages for specific species. His dad has a floral business so he has a hge selection. Look around their site and shoot them an email if you need anything.
SpottyDotty
New member
Ok thanks I'll check them out.
CrestedRick
Active member
Check them out and let me know how you make out with everything. They have really cool kick ass plants. Im going to post pics of my two, need a little help with names!
SpottyDotty
New member
they aren't in canada, i'm looking for less shipping even pick up myself if in the Ottawa area
CrestedRick
Active member
Ahh man! I didnt know you were in Canada.
SpottyDotty
New member
yeah sorry lol but thanks for the info just the same
CrestedRick
Active member
Well if you cant order from them at least check out the tutorials on plant processing and vivarium construction 101 and 102. Good reads and maybe theyll help you grasp new concepts and that why you wont be a noob for long