New Tiger Salamander Owner

[AvengedTiger]

So, I recently bought a Tiger Salamander. I bought him or her (I can the salamander a him) two days ago and he is full grown. I'm just going to name off everything I have so far, and please correct me on anything that could be wrong or done better. I have a 10 gallon tank with one live plant, which I think is called Pathos, Exo Terra plantation soil for about 95% of the substrate and the top is littered with moss. I have one of those cork wood caves for him to hide in and a big water bowl at the end of the tank for him to soak in. A fluorescent light bulb for the live plant. I use spring water, since I looked everywhere and people say no tap and no distilled water.

Today I fed him one nightcrawler, but I'm going to buy tongs to make it easier in the future.

One of my biggest concerns right now is misting. At this moment the whole tank is pretty damp, but the Zoo Med fogger system seems pretty great. When I bought my salamander they had a Zoo Med fogger going in the tank and he was sitting underneath the fog and seemed to love it. Is it worth getting? Amazon has it for about $42 I think.

Anyway, I'm very new to salamanders and I really hope I am doing everything correctly. Eventually I'll upgrade to a 20 gallon for him.

Also, how much is too much moss? It feels like I have way too much for him. Maybe about 1/2 an inch thick all across the top. He seems to like to lay underneath it though.

Thank you!

 

[Asevernnnn]

I don't think a fogger is necessary, but misting with a spray bottle is.
If the moss is sphagnum moss, I wouldn't use it because it has a low pH.
This article may help if you haven't seen it already:
Caudata Culture Articles - Vivarium Substrates

 

[AvengedTiger]

Okay. Well, I guess I'll have to remove that moss then. I don't know why the pet store went on and on about how I should get it.

Thank you for that.

 

[AvengedTiger]

Another question I have been wondering is if it is okay to have a radio next to his tank? Would it bother him? I mainly play metal, so sometimes it could get loud. I haven't used it since I got him because of this though.

 

[sde]

Another question I have been wondering is if it is okay to have a radio next to his tank? Would it bother him? I mainly play metal, so sometimes it could get loud. I haven't used it since I got him because of this though.

The vibrations it causes could disturb him. It might be worth moving it somewhere were he wont be able to feel the vibrations.
Your housing ( other than the moss ) sounds good. How deep is the soil, though? They like deep soil ( 5 inches or more ) to burrow in. -Seth