Shangum moss substrate maybe? Read me

[Matthew43s]

So in my Cham enclosure i’m Having a few problems.

1: winter time is becoming a bit of a challenge to keep the humidity past 40%, even with misting for 60 seconds every 3 hours and having the diffuser run for 6 hours, with a live pothole covering 98% of the enclosure.

And 2: my feeders keep going through my drainage holes I have drilled in the bottom pan of my enclosure and drowning themselves

I think I may have figured out a way to kill two birds with one stone with using shagnum moss to cover the entirety of the enclosure floor, raising humidity considering it’ll stay wet from my misters, easy excess water drainage for the drainage system.

My thought process is it’ll retain everything it needs and release all of the water it can’t, causing humidity to rise considerably. And It covers the holes and acts as a screen so the feeders that do get loose will walk on top of the moss. I also believe that I won’t have to have a clean up crew for the moss, but that’s why I’m here asking opinions. And it just looks better, (currently testing it right now)

What do ya’ll think?

 

[JacksJill]

I'm not a fan of substrate because feeders hide in it, it harbors bacteria & parasites and can be ingested causing impaction. I would for sure get some screen and glue it to the underside of your bottom panel over the holes to keep the feeders in.

 

[Matthew43s]

That was my initial plan but I decided maybe I could use the moss for a little while to help both problems. But, I assume it will be pretty gross after a considerable amount of time.

I want to help the humidity but I don’t want to drape plastic on it, considering I don’t think it looks very good but, I guess i’ll Have to do something. Even with the moss the humidity is only getting to about 48%, in his basking spot it’s dropped to 31%

 

[JacksJill]

Wow, your house must be super dry. What about a whole room humidifier just to bring the ambient up so your cage has a fighting chance.
You might consider building a bioactive base underneath you current cage. The bioactive organisms crowd out bad bacterial growth.

 

[Matthew43s]

I’m in north east Georgia, it’s cold outside but it feels like the Sahara desert in my home. My girlfriend absolutely hates the cold, so I’m sure her running the heater 24/7 probably has something to do with the humidity. I’m a bit short on cash at the moment so I can’t get a room humidifier. Thought of that as well.

i’ll Probably just buckle and stick the plastic on the sides to raise it up for the time being until I can get a better system going. Cause 47% ambient isn’t going to cut it.

And that was the plan but I can’t find anyone with the right isopods and springtails. I posted a comment about this a couple days ago, I can’t seem to find anyone with a reputable site that sells them. Still a work in progress.

 

[JacksJill]

You should pm @jamest0o0 he did a lot of bioactive setups not too long ago. He isn't active on the forums anymore but may respond to a direct message.

 

[JacksJill]

If you buy good clear shower curtain and stretch it tight it doesn't look too bad. I use self adhesive velcro tabs to attach it.

 

[Matthew43s]

That’s actually a pretty good idea. I was thinkin about using the tiny zip ties but the Velcro would look much better. Thank you for that,

What do you think, just the two sides or two sides and the back? Thank you for your help.

 

[JacksJill]

For your situation I would do two sides and the back and take a side off if that's too much.

 

[Matthew43s]

Sounds like a plan, looks like i’ll Need to make a trip to Lowe’s. I’ll get pics up when I have it done, thank you for the advice.

Btw I just hot glued the spout of my diffuser and drilled a 9/16 hole in it, so that it would make more pressure, which in turn would make it shoot further up. It worked so now I have more moisture making it to more areas of the enclosure. Also closed off the vent to my room so that the moisture wouldn’t just push it out. I’ll get this problem knocked out sooner or later

 

[Matthew43s]

Alright so I decided to wrap some plastic I had laying around my place, with some zip ties and I think it worked out well, also cut a few holes in each side for just enough ventilation throughout the cage. It’s not the nicest looking thing but it’ll do for now.

While KP was hangin out (literally, it was the only place I knew to put him so the cats wouldn’t get him and he wouldn’t wonder off like he likes to do, it’s right above the bed so no worries of him falling) I decided to also add a fake vine with some added leaves and shuffle his Pothos around so he would have a more private basking area seeing that he likes to spend his time there and gets spooked and runs when my GF walks by his enclosure. He’s got plenty of places to go and enjoy now, plus his humidity is steadily getting where it should be.

 

[JacksJill]

I think he's trying to turn that light on so he can bask
That should help for now. The plastic I have is clearer than that.

 

[Matthew43s]

Hahaha prolly so, since he was there for about 20 minutes I’m sure he didn’t appreciate me leaving him in the cold lol

And yes I was planning on getting some very clear plastic but I figured hell it’ll be a win win for KP. Like I said he’s been skiddish while I’m gone so he gets to have a lot of privacy and have humidity. I’m planning on putting him in the breeder dragon strand type enclosure anyways that’s 3 walls with a screen door and top, so might as well get used to it haha

 

[CJ's Exotics]

If the wrap does not work, I've heard of this thing called corrugated plastic I think, and it might work.

 

[DarinD]

If the wrap does not work, I've heard of this thing called corrugated plastic I think, and it might work.

I use corrugated plastic in my enclosures. You can find it at most Lowes or Home Depots. If not, sign and banner stores carry it and can cut it to size.

 

[Matthew43s]

It seems to be working alright, not as well as I wanted it too but I think I may have added too many ventilation holes. The humidity is holding at 53% now. I’ll have to cover them up and see if a more suitable change happens, if so i’ll Just rewrap.

But I will say KP’s color changed dramatically with this new addition, very green. So I’m assuming he’s more relaxed now so that’s good. He’s also enjoying the new vine I have placed at the top of the enclosure.

 

[Matthew43s]

It’s 40% in his basking spot.

 

[Scottsquatch]

I’m in north east Georgia, it’s cold outside but it feels like the Sahara desert in my home. My girlfriend absolutely hates the cold, so I’m sure her running the heater 24/7 probably has something to do with the humidity. I’m a bit short on cash at the moment so I can’t get a room humidifier. Thought of that as well.

i’ll Probably just buckle and stick the plastic on the sides to raise it up for the time being until I can get a better system going. Cause 47% ambient isn’t going to cut it.

And that was the plan but I can’t find anyone with the right isopods and springtails. I posted a comment about this a couple days ago, I can’t seem to find anyone with a reputable site that sells them. Still a work in progress.

Talk to @Andee for isopods. She can probably tell you where to get springtails too.

 

[Andee]

I HAVE BEEN SUMMONED *makes scary summoning noise and roars* ok.... ummm what kind of isopods do we want? And Sprintails I get from various sources, white temperates are my preferred for in enclosures to use, and you don't need much at all to start a colony lol. When I was still using them I used to seed enclosures with like 50 springtails and was overrun quickly. I eventually stopped using springtails because of my millipedes.

 

[Matthew43s]

Hahaha that’s pretty funny, but I figured instead of the scary noises it’d be something like summoning horns lol glad you’re here Though i could definitely use your assistance.

I’m looking for either dwarf grey or purple, maybe white. Whichever will work best for a crested gecko and my Cham, and when it comes to springtails the tropical pink are what I’m looking for. But I just need something that will work mostly for my gecko enclosure, mold is starting to form unfortunately so I need something she won’t eat quick