Limestone, Perlite, Vermiculite harmful to Ts?

[Ph4nToM]

Hey all, I just bought a package of potting soil for substrate. It was the cheapest kind at the store where I bought it, it has Limestone (for pH balance it says), Perlite and Vermiculite.. It also has a "wetting agent" in it.

I am just wondering if any of these components are harmful to T's? Again, I couldnt find a cheaper bag of soil or anything that had no additives in it.

Thanks all.

 

[GailC]

The limestone could irritate a T and the wetting agent can grow mold. You need either a organic soil or 100% peat moss.

 

[Thoth]

The wetting more often than not is either glycerol or more commonly a non-ionic surfactant, they work by reducing the surface of tension of water. At the concentrations they are present in the soil they are non toxic to plant or animal life. Though I don't see how they would promote or support mold growth.

The limestone also know as calcium carbonate (also know as chalk), though they call it limestone more for marketing. In and of itself is safe (and if you ever had a tums or rolaids you ate calcium carbonate. My only possible issue if depending on the shape of the crystals it may have the same possibility hazard as perlite (see below). Though I believe its ground finely enough that it should be okay.

Vermiculite is perfectly safe, many mix it in our peat moss, some use it straight for arboreals.

Perlite is basically puffed volcanic glass (sort of like popcorn). The problem is it is glass and breaks into sharp crystal and can potentially injure or kill your t. because the sharp crystals can get into the joints or ingested with prey and Pretty much it would kill the same way diatomaceous earth, a natural/organic "pesticide", kills but cause many tiny cuts. Nothing has been documented to the best of my knowledge but it is a real possibility.


Most of use stick with peat moss about $3-4 for 8 qt. bag or if you have the storage room you can get a "lifetime" supply 10 - 15 cu.ft. bale for less than $20.

 

[Ph4nToM]

Maybe if I strain it I can get rid of some of the Perlite and Limestone? I do have pete moss, although its a very old bag I had from before I got into the T hobby, it has been im my backyard for awhile, through rain and snow.. will this still be ok?

The bag of soil I bought wont kill the T though right? Just the possibility of the sharp peices of Perlite and Limestone hurting the T?

Thanks for the replys!

 

[Thoth]

Probably not but better safe than sorry. Straining is not going to work because its the tiny crystals which would cause the harm and they will go through any mesh that allows the soil through. Also the act of straining maybe break the perlite into smalls pieces, make things worse.

You could use the peat moss, as long as it is not moldy, I would bake it in an oven at 230°F for 30 minutes to kill any bug, mold spores or asst uninvited guest that may have got into the bag.

 

[Scolopendra55]

It depends on what type of T you are needing substrate for. Vermiculite is perfect for arboreals and peat is ideal for terrestrials.

 

[Ph4nToM]

Its for a G.Aureo. Ok, ill just use the pete moss then, thanks guys.

 

[Duc de Blangis]

Why is straight vermiculite used for arboreals?

 

[spider_fan]

Why is straight vermiculite used for arboreals?

Vermiculite holds moisture very well and retards mites more than potting soil or pete, but many T's abhor walking on it. Since most arboreal T's have high humidity requirements it's great for them because it will retain the moisture they need while helping prevent mites, and they don't come in contact with it, so the T not liking its feel becomes a non issue.