newbie crestie viv questions

[kitedemon]

Hello,
I am new here! I hope that someone will take the time and be willing give me some advice. I am still learning and researching care of Crested Geckos and am in the process of building a vivarium and have a few questions.

I am planning a planted vivarium with filtration. I was wondering about substrate. I recognize that a bio system needs good water circulation to work, I was concerned by organic soil, bark ect. becoming soggy and growing unwanted fungus/mould ect. I thought to use gravel (pea sized round river stone) as a substrate. I was thinking of a bunches of lucky bamboo (Dracaena) planted directly in the gravel. I also have some Asplenium nidus (birds nest fern) that I was going to use as well on the drier side. I had planned on a waterfall on one end. I have been also thinking of a snake plant as well.

Is pea gravel a poor substrate? Are there better plants or other plants I should be looking for?

Thanks for any advise you all can give me!
Alex

[zon3k]

I am in the process of doing something along these lines myself
After much research I have decided to go with a false bottom made of egg crate lighting diffuser, a layer of expanded clay balls, then a weed control sheet over the top to stop the sunstrate getting into the clay
if you cut out a corner of the egg crate so you can get to the underlying water then you can use a turkey baster to get the water out when its needed. Ill be trying out some tropical woodlice and a millipede to turn any mould or poop to a useable product, all you need to do is turn the substrate every so often!
If snake plant is the same thing as mother in law's tounge it growsridicuously tall if you dont keep it in check.
I am going by this list for plants
Plants proven safe for Crested Geckos

Alfalfa
Astilbe
Baby's Tears
Basil (leaves and flowers)
Chinese Lantern (flowers)
Carnations (petals)
Chamomile, English
Clover
Dahlia (flowerhead)
Dandelion (leaves, flowerhead)
Day Lilies (flowers)
Dracaena (cornplant)
Fennel
Ficus (leaves)
Geranium (flowers, leaves)
Grape (leaves, fruit), (not ornamental grape ivies)
Impatiens
Johnny-Jump-Up (flowers)
Hibiscus, Tropical & Blue (flowers, leaves)
Hollyhock (leaves, flowers)
Hens and Chicks
Lavender
Maple (leaves)
Mesquite (leaves)
Mint
Mulberry (leaves)
Nasturtium (flowers, leaves)
Oregano
Pansies (flowers)
Pea, Green Bean (leaves, pods)
Peppermint
Petunia
Phlox
Pinks (petals)
Rose (petals)
Rosemary (leaves, flowers)
Sage (leaves, flowers)
Spider Plant (leaves, sap may be a skin irritant)
Split-Leaf Philodendron (leaves)
Squash / Zucchini (flowers)
Thyme (leaves, flowers)
Violets (Not African Violets (flowers, leaves)
Wandering Jew (leaves, sap may be a skin irritant)
Yucca (flowers)

hope this helps, anything else just ask, im still learning myself though