Substrate Question

[panzi]

Hello all,
I would like your knowledge regarding moss as substrate.
I have a juvenile gecko and I want make a moist hide for it. I'm thinking about altering It with some moss so it can be humid.

Can I use moss found at a Home Depot, OSH or Lowest or any type of home improvement store? Is it safe? Or should I just go with the moss at the reptile store?

Thank you!

 

[im faster]

substrate for the whole tank or for just the humid hide?

 

[panzi]

Well just the humid hide. I've read that using it as a substrate can be hazardous.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

My personal preference is paper towel, dampened every few days or so. They don't need it to be wet all the time. I use orchid moss only for lay boxes. Moss can be ingested and cause constipation, but it's not a common occurrence. A lot of folks do use moss in humid hides with no issues. Orchid moss is about half the cost of reptile moss and just as effective if that's what you want to use. I choose paper for cleanliness.

 

[panzi]

Well I did use paper towels but I want to make enhance my setup as far as aesthetics go. It's a bit too plain.

 

[LeoMerlin]

I tried using moss for the humid hide but that made the temps go up too much when it was moist. I went back to paper towels and that works just fine, cheaper too.

 

[im faster]

For the hide its ok to use.