vinz

I don't think salamanders need UV (they shun the sun, unlike lizards which sun themselves), but check it out nevertheless.

A good site to go: http://www.caudata.org/cc/ They have a forum too.

I wondering if this is possible: skip the gravel, and just grow moss emersed on the soil. I've seen moss growing on wood and rocks, but I'm not sure if they'll grow on damp soil.

Paul Higashikawa

If I am not mistaken, many reptiles and amphibians do need the sun for their thermoregulation. This is crucial in aiding their bodies to properly digest the foods they ate. For reptiles with hard shells, UV(A or B; don't remember)also serve as the trigger factor. Whichever one provides vitamin D, which is required for building of strong shells.

A very informative read:
http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/bcwaterturtles.htm

So I am suspecting the salamander needs the UV because it has more to do with its thermoregulation.

Paul

Phil Edwards

Vinz,

Mosses do very well on damp soil and will grow readily on it. In fact, that's the best way to keep mosses in emersed culture. I've got some Java and Christmas mosses in plastic take out trays that I've filled with damp soil and just put the moss down. It takes off in no time with light daily misting to keep the tips from drying out.

Best,
Phil

Steve Pituch

I have been growing crypts for a few months in 3 liter soda bottles ever since HeyPK told me how. Its a great way to grow crypts emersed. This bottle is sealed and I have never added water to it, and the surface is still muddy wet. I had put crypt roots in the soil in this bottle. I probably should have laid the roots on the soil surface instead of buryng them. Anyway the crypts did now grow but this moss showed up and is growing quickly now.

This is 100% maintenance free.

Regards,
Steve Pituch

Sir_BlackhOle

I wonder what kind of moss that is? It looks fairly interesting!

Daemonfly

Yeah, we did want to do some kind of moss. I have some right in my driveway I've been experimenting with as well as many of the aquatic mosses. Stuff in my driveway seems to love the clay-heavy soil I have.

As for the soil, terrarium setups seem to mostly be a gravel/pebble base (for good drainage) with a good terrarium soil thats safe for the pets. We'll probably go with one of the good commercial terrarium soils, many of which are good for plants.

vinz

A friend passed me an interesting link for setting up terrariums. Not quite similar to what you have in mind, but I thought I'll paste the link anyway.

http://www.blackjungle.com/gallery/talltank/page1.html

JLudwig

Phil,

I'm growing Java Fern, Pellia, Erect moss and some others like this (but no soil, bare bottom of tupperware) and misting with 1/8 strength miracle grow. My main concern is algae in the very damp conditions, have you had this problem? For my crypts, the water level is below the soil line so this isn't an issue...

Jeffery Ludwig
http://www.rockytop.net

Phil Edwards

Jeff,

I've got no problems with algae growing in/on the soil in my emersed setups. In the moss tank I saturate the soil once every month or so and then mist every few days with no problems.

Best,
Phil

Robert Hudson

Java moss also grows well in a sealed container with a little water and nothing else, no soil, no nothing. I keep all my java moss now in small fish bags with an inch of water. I hang the plastic bags underneath flourescent shop lights. The moss stays nice and green and grows in the bag, and is already packed and portioned up ready for me to sell. I have heard shops in taiwan hang bagged fish and plants this way. I guess they must sell quick.