Soil Substrate

[Lertsch]

I am about to acquired some red efts (from a pet owner who's son has lost interest in them). I have experience with notos, but zero with efts. I'm set with food, as I know they've been eating pinhead crickets and wingless fruit flies.

The substrate they were being housed in was some type of 'orchid moss' from Home Depot that isn't available in my area so I am thinking of trying a soil substrate since I have an unused bag of top soil. I think it's ok from what I read in the Caudata Culture article about terrestrial substrate, but want to play it safe and get some feedback since there are so many knowledgeable pet owners on this site.

The soil is called GardenPro by Harvest. The ingredients listed on the bag are mineral soils, dolomitic limestone, and composted bark fines. Sounds like everything is natural/organic. I know limestone causes high pH in water, but would the limestone stuff be an issue in a terrestrial setup? Thanks in advance for any guidance.

 

[Chinadog]

I'm not sure about the brand you mention, but unless it says organic I would avoid it simply because they're other substrate options that are known to be safe.
Many people have used Coconut fibre or organic potting compost with terrestrial salamanders for extended periods with no problems, so why risk something unknown?
This year I have been raising some C. pyrrhogaster 'efts' on a 50/50 mix of locally collected leaf litter and organic compost with good results, they especially like the creepy crawlys that come with the leaf litter! It might be worth giving that a try, being as though their requirements are broadly similar to Notos?