"moss" from a pond for lay box?

[Andrew21]

I was wondering if i could take some "moss" type stuff from a pond, disinfect it and kill all the bugs and use it in a laybox? I think it's either called coontail, or bushy pondweed.

Also, if I do use this stuff, what would be the best way to disinfect it? i have a bag in the freezer. Is that enough?

[Vasiliki]

I personally try to avoid items like that, mostly because you never know exactly what it's been exposed to. And considering how delicate eggs can be, and how quickly things can get out of control...

I wouldn't, if it were me. I'd spend the extra couple of bucks to get a brick of moss from the pet store and use that.

[KMG]

I wouldn't. The big box stores have boxes of moss for about $9. I Just bought some and was surprised how much you got.

[Andrew21]

Okay. But just for future refrences, would freezing be enough?

[KMG]

I doubt it, well not at the temp you could reach. Maybe boiling?

Most pond moss is thick and spongy while in the water. Take some out and see what it turns into. Most shrink into nothing, quickly.

[Andrew21]

Well it's realy like a weed. Not really moss. But if you break it down I bet it would make a nice laybox substrate.

[mues155]

Well it's realy like a weed. Not really moss. But if you break it down I bet it would make a nice laybox substrate.

There's no doubt it would probably make a fine substrate if cleaned. It's just not worth risking it.
That's the beauty of keeping things in captivity, there are products made specially for pets.
Moss is cheap, there's really no reason to need to use a wild pond growing weed to do the job that's all.

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[Andrew21]

Yeah, I'm not gonna use it.