Kitty litter method questions

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aquick06

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Ok, so most of the caudates I've worked with are aquatic--namely Cryptobranchids (I'm a zookeeper), but I've been tasked with designing a vivarium for 1.2 Salamandra salamandra salamandra, and in this process I'm trying to figure a good background. I've done the "kitty litter method" multiple times and love it, but I have only used it for assorted poison frogs and some Atelopus zeteki, and I'm curious if anyone has used it with Salamandra. If so, did the salamanders burrow into it or otherwise destroy the structural integrity if the background? I'm worried larger amphibians would be too hard on a pliable clay background, but if it is possible it's the method I prefer, because I hate expandable foam. Any input is appreciated, thank you very much!
 
What on earth is the "kitty litter method"??
Using kitty litter as a substrate? I have NEVER heard of that!!
 
I'm guessing it involves mixing the litter with water then using the rsulting goop to mould a back drop?
 
Right on. The "kitty litter method" involves taking a cheap, fragrance-free all natural clay cat litter (I like to use the Wal-Mart brand--"Special Kitty"), mixing it on a 1:1 with moistened peat or coconut coir (by volume), and adding water and kneading until you have a oatmeal to play-dough like consistency, and using this mix to custom mold a background. I usually add a little red mortar dye to give me a better color than grey. It's easy to do, easy to change if you mess up/don't like it, grows moss/plants like crazy, and doesn't take days to set like foam does. I really love this technique, but semi-fossorial animals may damage it...maybe? That is where my trouble lies ;)
 
I've not used it myself but doesn't it need to stay moist to avoid shrinking? I use a method I've adapted from drier enclosures - waterproof PVA mixed with substrate then moulded. Current project is a 48" set up for Triturus marmoratus using 1:3 PVA/water mixed with top soil daubed over expanding foam. With this one I'll be using polyurethane below the water level but the PVA is safe and widely used for dartfrog vivs (although mine have foam/gorilla glue but I wouldn't use that technique again!).

Once dry, the PVA gives you a rock-solid surface that I've now used on a number of my lizard set ups and is very durable.
 
I think a bentonite clay background would work great for a fire salamander enclosure. As far as i know, they re not too much of a burrowing species, so i doubt they could destroy that type of background.
 
The kitty litter method works well. I've worked with a lot of other methods as well (epoxy resin, sealant, expanding foam, elastopur, etc). The kitty litter method is ideal, because it's quick and pretty easy to remove. It doesn't last as long as most other methods though.

If you can get your hands on a concrete binder adhesive (brands like "Flevopol", "ACEbonder" and "Quickcrete") than you can work with another method. If you mix the adhesive with turf, or even better fern root grindings, you get a ready to use mix that's looks a lot like Reptiwall, but without the moss spores. This sticks and dries a lot better though. Some say it crumbles when it gets constantly soaked, but if you use enough adhesive that it's a sticky mess than this won't be a problem.
 
Fantastic, I appreciate the input! I plan on incorporating some bark into the background as well as some wood. I was thinking some ivy and maybe a few ferns. There will be a water feature as well. I'm looking forward to getting started, I'll be sure to get pics up. :)
 
Can someone clarify "PVA"? Neither Polyvinyl Acetate nor Polyvinyl Alcohol make sense in this context.
 
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