Substrate for T. shanjing.

[Aitortxu]

I have bought a lot of Sphagnum moss from an online shop, and I can´t take it back to the store. Now I have read that the Sphagnum moss is too acid for newts. But, Is it truly so dangerous for T. shanjing? It´s this: http://www.monanimal.net/product_info.php?cPath=22_31&products_id=871
I have bought two packs, and they are new, unopened :sad:.

Also I have bought these things:
http://www.monanimal.net/product_info.php?products_id=110
http://www.monanimal.net/product_info.php?products_id=895
http://www.monanimal.net/product_info.php?products_id=869 (I don´t know which wood is it, could it give off dangerous oils?)
http://www.monanimal.net/product_info.php?products_id=884

Are they good for newts?

Thank you very much

 

[Jennewt]

You can test the sphagnum moss. Take a small amount of distilled water (~50 ml). Pack it with as much of the moss as you can. Soak overnight. Test the pH of the liquid. If it is very acid, then you should not use the moss. You can also try soaking the moss in many changes of water for several weeks, then do the same test. This may remove enough of the acid to make it safe.

The "Habba Hut" is better for a dry tank. However, I have seen one used in a terrarium, and it was fine. A better alternative is the 'coconut hut':
ttp://www.monanimal.net/product_info.php?cPath=22_63&products_id=848

Repti-vite is OK, just be sure it has an expiration date.

 

[Aitortxu]

Thank you very much, you have helped me a lot . Great page and great forum.

P.D.: I wish you a merry Christmas

 

[Azhael]

Hi Aitor, with these things it´s always better to avoid any risks. If i were you, living where you live, i´d go ouside and pick some beech leaves, put them over a few cm of soil and add some cork for hiding purposes...just regular cork...there´s no need to buy expensive shop articles.

 

[freves]

In addition to doing as Jen said if your pH tests ok then you could mix the sphagnum moss with the other forest floor product that you bought. Azhael is correct about potentially collecting your own vivarium materials, just make sure that the area is free from pesticides and other pollutants. If you go this route howver close monitoring of your animals will be in order because there is the potential to introduce pets and/or parasites. It is good that you care enough about your animals that you are willing to spend money on all of those decorations however most of those types of supplies can be purchased much cheaper from garden supply centers.
Chip