Crestie substrates?

[babey_shmoo]

Hey all,

I've been thinking about moving my cresties onto substrate.
Is orchid bark and coco husk ok?

I was also wondering if these subs are suitable for millipedes, as I am planning on putting my two millies in with the cresties. Going to try and create the biologically active soil thing. Has anyone attempted this? Does it work? what are your tips? lol

Many thanks all,

[boromale2008]

dont millipedes give nasty nips??

[MarkB]

I'd imagine the millipedes will bite your Cresties, don't want to be a killjoy, but better safe than sorry!

But yeah I think coco husk is fine as a substrate, so I've heard.

[babey_shmoo]

Not that I've every experienced, it's something that is suggested in 'Rhacodactylus: the complete selection and care' I believe that either Fast of Repashy do it. Can't remember which exactly. I'm going to have another read over later this eve.

[crouchy]

dont use any form of bark or wood chippings as substrate for any gecko. It is far too easy to cause impaction that way and ive seen it done a few times.

The coco husk stuff is fine as a substrate but not as part of a natural ecosystem setup. It holds far too much water and its not good for the plants.

a good substrate that is often used by dartfrog keepers (the masters of the natural setup) is as follows.
2 parts fine/medium orchid/fir bark
2 parts fine tree fern fibers
1 part ground/milled sphagnum moss
1 part fine activated charcoal
1 part sphagnum peat.

Note- the bark should not be at the surface of the substrate layer. live moss is often layed across the top of the soil to create an awesome looking viv.

Then you just add some earthworms, springtails, woodlice and plants and your natural system is good to go.

The 2 links below show some awesome dartfrog setups, some of which could be adjusted to house cresties.

http://talkto.thefrog.org/index.php?...=3&topic=14605
http://www.gifkikkerportaal.nl/Fotos...0/Default.aspx

[babey_shmoo]

Hmmm...

Well I have a bag of orchid bark, and a block of coco husk. I've read they're ok for both cresties and millipedes. I wantn't intending to go for the planted completely natural tank. Just to eventually try out the active substrate thing eventually. If the orchid bark and coco husk isn't the right stuff, I'll use that up and then get the right bits.

As for putting the millies and cresties together, the book i mentioned earlier says they are good for the active substrate, and won't hurt the cresties. The author's have been doing it for 3 years with no issues. The only difference between theirs and mine are that they have giant black african millies and i have giant chocolates.

Maybe I'll leave the mixing for a little while.

Oh and what about those sterilised block of soil you can buy from rep shops could I use that for the cresties? maybe mix it in with the coco husk and orchid bark.

Thanks all,

[boromale2008]

mine was just a question i always thought they nipped lol.

[babey_shmoo]

From my experience growing up in South Africa, the black ones do a 'rock-and-roll' dance (flick-flacking on floor) when poked enough if curling up doesn't work... I was a kid, I know better now lol. As for the brown ones, they just curl up if you go anywhere near them and won't budge at all. and they always shite on you if you pick them up. their poo/liquidy stuff isn't suppoed to be pleasent i believe. But I can say I've never been bitten...

[freekygeeky]

as stated above i wouldnt use bark, nop nop nop.
i dont even use eco earth anymore! lol.
but seriously bark is a huggge no.


below is an amazing, the best looking uro i have seen, uros are brilliant hunters, and hardly ever miss.. and look what happened to her.

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/lizar...ic-images.html

but its up to you..

[babey_shmoo]

Originally Posted by freekygeeky

as stated above i wouldnt use bark, nop nop nop.
i dont even use eco earth anymore! lol.
but seriously bark is a huggge no.

so orchid back a no no? coco husk ok? what do you use? what would you recommend?