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Tylototriton shanjing
- Thread starter foff
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foff
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foff
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Thanks for the replies. Regarding the moss the Ph value is low and together with the oak leafs it's no surprice! I keep all me terrestrial species like this with great succes! The low Ph value prevents bacterias from growing!
Kristoffer, I must disagree about the advantages of acidic substrates. It may be true that they discourage bacteria from growing, but they may also discourage amphibians from living. Of course it is difficult to generalize: different salamanders have different tolerances, and sources of sphagnum and oak can vary in acidity. However, it is generally recommended to NOT use either of these substrates. Acidic conditions can be dangerous, as acid disrupts the mechanisms of ionic balance in amphibian skin.
There have been some previous discussions about this with Ed Kowalski - he is a more authoritative source than I am. I can try to look up the old discussions if you want to read them.
There have been some previous discussions about this with Ed Kowalski - he is a more authoritative source than I am. I can try to look up the old discussions if you want to read them.
foff
New member
That could be most interesting! I've be keeping various sals on thes substrate over the past 2-3 years with great succes! And I know several people who use this for various amphibians!
http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=50568
http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34646
The Wright & Whitaker book (Amphibian medicine and captive husbandry) has a section entitled "Toxicological etiologies - Acidity" which says "Acid soils limit populations of terrestrial salamanders... At soil pH lower than 4.0, disrupted sodium balance was suggested as the lethal mechanism in the redback salamander... and as the cause of reduced populations of [list of species]... On experimental soils with pH 3 and 4, growth, survival, and respiration were significantly depressed... [etc.]"
To test the pH of your sphagnum moss, soak it in a small amount of distilled water (pack the moss into the smallest possible volume of distilled water) overnight, then test the pH of the water.
http://www.caudata.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34646
The Wright & Whitaker book (Amphibian medicine and captive husbandry) has a section entitled "Toxicological etiologies - Acidity" which says "Acid soils limit populations of terrestrial salamanders... At soil pH lower than 4.0, disrupted sodium balance was suggested as the lethal mechanism in the redback salamander... and as the cause of reduced populations of [list of species]... On experimental soils with pH 3 and 4, growth, survival, and respiration were significantly depressed... [etc.]"
To test the pH of your sphagnum moss, soak it in a small amount of distilled water (pack the moss into the smallest possible volume of distilled water) overnight, then test the pH of the water.
foff
New member
I see the pH value is no problem with the spagnum moss and even with the extra acid from the oak leafs the value dosn't drop below pH = 6! In my area we have a very high calcium value in our tap water perhaps this could be the reason for the low acidity!
Best
Kristoffer
Best
Kristoffer
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Clareclare:Would Chinese fire belly newts be more or less inclined towards an aquatic eft set up versus Japanese . I'm raising them and have abandoned the terrarium at about 5 months old and switched to the aquatic setups you describe. I'm wondering if I could do this as soon as they morph?+1
Clareclare:
Would Chinese fire belly newts be more or less inclined towards an aquatic eft set up versus...
+1