Substrate Question

[Alnovo]

Hello all! I'm very new to the world of cresties and fell in love with them at a reptile expo. I'm slowly making more money and am looking to do a full living vivarium for my first one.

My question is, using coconut fibre as a substrate seems to be the recommended thing. Is there any other mixtures I should add? I've heard of putting some moss on top of the fibre as well as mixing in potting soil with the coconut fibre. Are either of these better than the other? Or is there an even better set up for living vivarium.

These are some of the plants I plan on using in the vivarium pothos, philodendron, dracena, and ficus.

The more info the better right! Thanks for any and all replies!

 

[acpart]

Here is what I did:
hydroton clay balls on the bottom for drainage
mesh screen over them to keep the "soil" separate
(you can get info about this design at blackjungle.com)
coco fiber on top of that
Some sphagnum moss on top of that
many of the plants you suggest.
I also took a fake bendy vine and stuck it in there as something for the other plants to climb up

I got some pill bugs (roly polys) from the back yard to help digest the poop. It's worked well for the last 3 years.

Aliza

 

[alliemackie]

Alnovo's my roomie, and I second his questions, as I'm also (seperately) getting myself a crestie.

Wondering what kind of soil is best. I have heard from some that standard potting soil from any garden centre is best, but then I've also heard from others that it is unadvisable due to the chance of bacteria/bugs. I guess I could just use the coco fiber as the soil base, is that correct?

Can anyone shed some light?

 

[acpart]

I do think coco fiber is the best bet due to the reasons you stated yourself.

Aliza

 

[Alnovo]

Awesome! Thanks Aliza! I will check out that weblink for some more information