peat moss as substrate?

snydergeckos · #1 (**permalink**) 03-06-2006, 08:03 PM

i was wondering if it would be harmful at all to my black throat monitor if i were to use peat moss(not sphagnum) as his substrate. i have a huge bag of it and was going to just throw it in there to give him burrowing room but i figured i'd might as well ask before doing it. any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Shadraak · #2 (**permalink**) 03-06-2006, 08:08 PM

i dont see why not, if it's for burrowing i think it'd be perfect, holds moisture, compacts well i think it'd be just perfect for him, but bad for you

, he'd make a mess with it hehe.....

snydergeckos · #3 (**permalink**) 03-06-2006, 08:13 PM

oh i know that. i didnt think of that when i had first put soil in there but i got over it. Whatever he enjoys more is fine with me.

JMesser · #4 (**permalink**) 03-06-2006, 10:10 PM

Just make sure its debugged, so there isn't any little bugs in there and it should be fine.

Dachande · #5 (**permalink**) 03-06-2006, 11:55 PM

i wouldn't trust it. might be too organic and can cause an explosion of bacteria and unwanted growth or smells. unless it's 40lbs of peat to over 200lbs of topsoil at least. i just stick with the topsoil.

Razaiel · #6 (**permalink**) 03-07-2006, 02:11 PM

Oh #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^&!! I put exactly that stuff in Tiny's viv last week ... guess I'll be off to find topsoil now. What is the "unwanted growth", Dachande? Now I know why ours has grown so much since that stuff has been put in there ...

Dachande · #7 (**permalink**) 03-07-2006, 11:37 PM

i meant unwanted bacterial, fungal or mold growth. with topsoil there is some bacteria that doesn't harm the monitor, but breaks down what fecal matters you miss or drop during spot cleaning.
monitors grow fast. that is good it is growing fast like that. how big is it as of now vs when you got it and when?

Razaiel · #8 (**permalink**) 03-08-2006, 07:54 AM

Sorry, Dachande, I was kinda joking about the growth thingy

that's just me LOL! Well we got him 6 weeks ago come Friday and he seems to have grown a couple of inches ... think we'll be getting him a 4 ft viv soon - which will give him some more space to dash around in.

Dachande · #9 (**permalink**) 03-09-2006, 03:16 AM

just make sure that topsoil is plenty deep and while your at the home improvement store, pick up some GE 45-50 watt halogen outdoor floodlights. only thing i use on monitors for heat and lighting.
heck, i get most of my supplies from Lowes, Rodentpro and Ghann's Cicket Farm or reptile shows.

Razaiel · #10 (**permalink**) 03-09-2006, 08:08 AM

He'll have plenty of soil - he seems to quite kinda like it now he didn't trust it at first. Can outdoor halogens go inside wooden vivs?

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