Tiger salamander substrate

[melgado22]

Hello,
my tiger salamanders are happily living in my well-developed terrarium that i've had set up for about 8 months now. i'm using coconut fiber and have a bunch of plants growing in there (the prayer plant and pathos are the ones that are seriously thriving. new leaves on a daily basis..) anyway, i haven't changed my coconut fiber at all since then. is this ok? my salamanders are healthy as ever. my reason for not changing it is that i don't want to disturb my root systems since all the plants are doing so well.

 

[Jackulwulf]

Hello,
my tiger salamanders are happily living in my well-developed terrarium that i've had set up for about 8 months now. i'm using coconut fiber and have a bunch of plants growing in there (the prayer plant and pathos are the ones that are seriously thriving. new leaves on a daily basis..) anyway, i haven't changed my coconut fiber at all since then. is this ok? my salamanders are healthy as ever. my reason for not changing it is that i don't want to disturb my root systems since all the plants are doing so well.

It is alright that you haven't changed the substrate, as long as you are spot cleaning for poop and the tank doesn't have a foul smell. I have kept my tiger in the same dirt for quite a long time now and the soil still smells fresh. You could also go the route of adding springtails or isopods to your tank to help clean up any waste or shed skin if you wish to keep your tank clean and not have to worry about changing out the substrate. Cleaner bugs in your tank also add nutrients to the soil which is good for your plants. Do some research on them if you would like, it may be the way you'd like to go if you want to have a self cleaning tank for your tigers.

 

[melgado22]

thanks so much for your reply, i'll look into it! i just happen to get these guys from a friend a year ago who had been keeping them in a 10 gallon tank of rocks and water so needless to say, most of what have set up was completely due to research and mostly people from this site! thankful for that

 

[Jackulwulf]

thanks so much for your reply, i'll look into it! i just happen to get these guys from a friend a year ago who had been keeping them in a 10 gallon tank of rocks and water so needless to say, most of what have set up was completely due to research and mostly people from this site! thankful for that

No problem, glad to help. I remember when I first got my tiger, this site was really helpful for me too so I'm happy to return the favor and help others as well.