So, quite recently Ive been absent. Sorry. But on a thread i did on another forum someone was absolutely astounded by shivas setup. Because its planted. So heres my reply and description since no one here has a planted anything ive noticed. Its upsetting.
So. Here is my reply on frogforum
hope i inspire someone out there, feel free to ask questions!
After being asked how i keep real plants with my snake because it theyre destructive:
MY REPLY
Actually thats a funny story. Since snakes rely on belly heat to digest, there is no drainage layer. However, we do have to use a soil moisture meter to make sure im not too saturated. Like i usually rant, most of my uva needs are met by 56-65k full spectrum grow bulbs. Uvb, and an infared. But, like in the joshs frog moss thread, a 56k GE full spectrum Color Effects bulb (twisty) works also for mild uva. The soil is bioactive Do It Yourself we found on another forum. With some All natural orchid bard soil mixed in. Mist lightly 2x daily. And walla. I use the ultrasonic cool mist experiment too which helps alot with the moss.
The soil compacts as the snake roams. She may be a wee dirty for a day or 2. Lightly pack it with your hand.
In the tank is:
Ivy: ground plant, any light, high water consumption. Handles slithering and trampling very well. Can be purchased in a veriety of shades/colors
Pothos: come on now, if it dies ill poop myself. Any light, can be hung anywhere on anything, broken stems root anyways. Personally i hid my main cluster behind a large fake nat geo stump(cool hide) it keeps her from the main cluster...
Croton(the big plant): thick stemmed, flexible large leaves. We tested this before trying it, ya can grab the leaf mid way and push it straight down. Takes effort to break them. This needs to be near a wall. Maybe a piece of fake vine or suction cups with string? We have a foam background so i made staples, picked a leaf, and pinned it around the narrow/stem area to the background. Mind you, if tubby goes ham, im putting the staple back up in the morning. The plants roots are doing good so theres not much issue.
The long grass: name unknown but its a house plant. It just grows like nuts and doesnt care about trampling. Id recommend this for large frogs as well. Its impressivly durable.
The moss: ugh all outdoor harvested. 10:1 bleached, then soaked in hot water. Some soil left on it. Its best to place a piece of bark under any moss. The moss will root and process the bark. Your humidity is key to the moss. Our fogger grows it like a G. Regular misting on the moss if you spray. Cool enough we have a few woods plants growing out of the moss as well. Were not sure what they are besides some grasses and forest floor covering plants, which i think is an awsome thing.
Well heres a ton of pics!
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psoehmy6wt.jpg
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3nkyvlov.jpg
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psxq6oma6o.jpg
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psm0vgrrzq.jpg
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4y8lf4kp.jpg
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psiwmjexrc.jpg
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psklgamoqo.jpg
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psoxeq7bfo.jpg
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...pskivvlqr3.jpg
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1vnbk2dv.jpg
On a cell phone... sweet god my thumbs hurt
It would have killed me to do all that over again. But hope its good knowledge for someone out there.
