Moss in T vivarium??

[Venom]

I've seen some people here keep live moss in their T tanks, and was wondering about how this works.

I've wanted to put moss in a T tank for quite some time now, as it would make an absolutely beautiful "carpet" or substrate cover, but I'm concerned about the risk of introducing pests/ parasites. How do you introduce moss without mites or other unwanted bugs? Can it be microwaved without killing it, do you buy it from a greenhouse, or does dirt+moss from cooler areas of North America simply not have T parasites??

I've read that mosses release spores, similar to mushrooms, for reproduction. Do these spores present a hazard for T's like mold would?

Also, how do you keep it alive? Does it require sunlight or watering? Any help would be appreciated!! ( And I promise pics if and when I get a mossy tank established! )

 

[Joe1968]

keeping live moss requires some light and very high humidity almost wet, it may be good with some species of Ts but some Ts , this would not be advisable. live moss can be a little difficult to grow indoors, as far as mites, yes this can develop, I dont use live moss in my Ts enclosure, I just keep the peat moss substrate dry. but I do use moss in my treefrog terrarium.

 

[Windchaser]

I woudl advise against live moss in a tarantula enclosure. As mentioned, moss requires a fairly high humidity. In a tarantula enclosure, this can cause problems for your tarantula. Most do not require or need such high humidity and for others it is actually dangerous, such as with a GBB, C. crawshayi or P. murinus to name a few.

 

[Deschain]

Is there anything that will give the same type of appearance as moss, without all the complications?

 

[Joe1968]

Is there anything that will give the same type of appearance as moss, without all the complications?

I think I have seen some fake moss in one of those home decor garden centers. or you can use dry sphagnum moss I think this can make a nice decorations.

 

[Venom]

Hmm, ok. Thx guys. I just saw it being kept by Robustum in a M.mesomelas tank. ( see thread: http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=44893&page=1&pp=15 )

I've thought of some dense, spongy moss for a G.pulchra or A.geniculata tank. Would they be suitable species, or are we talking humidity levels of Ephebopus + Haplopelma?

The moss I have in mind is a temperate moss that grows here in Michigan. It is similar in appearance to this, but grows out in the open:

http://www.mossacres.com/product_cushion_moss.asp

http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk/essex/eppingforest43big.html

 

[Windchaser]

I would not add any moss you pick up in the yard or outside. You have no idea what you are introducing to your enclosure. Also, G. pulchra tend to be kept on the drier side, so I don't think this would be a good environment for it.

 

[Cerbera]

The dry sphagnum moss works quite well when rehydrated, and the T's seem to like it too as a surface to sit on...

But there are problems, I have found...

a) crickets tend to make straight for it, and can stay hidden in it almost indefinitely, making it very difficult for either me, or a T, to find them.

b) its damn expensive for what it is...

c) It dries out very quickly in all but the most humid enclosures, and needs fairly constant misting to stop it drying out.

but in spite of the downsides, and others Ive read about here (I've ner had it mould, or cause bug related problems), I still use it, and I think my T's appreciate that I do in some small way...

 

[baboons24]

I've often wondered about this and use live plants in several tanks. i have not bought any moss yet but i have lichens growing in my taks right now. to not introduce any parasites or bugs into the tanks i collect branches from my yard off of the sourwood tree, dry them out completely for about 2 months. lichens will rehydrate and start growing again. and the crickets don't hide in them very well, and the move on. live plants are really neat if you can make it work for ya.

baboons24

 

[Windchaser]

I've often wondered about this and use live plants in several tanks. i have not bought any moss yet but i have lichens growing in my taks right now. to not introduce any parasites or bugs into the tanks i collect branches from my yard off of the sourwood tree, dry them out completely for about 2 months. lichens will rehydrate and start growing again. and the crickets don't hide in them very well, and the move on. live plants are really neat if you can make it work for ya.

baboons24

Drying the lichen for a couple of months doesn't guarantee it to be pest nor pesticide free. Mites and many other nasty little critters can lay dormant for quite a long time. Check out this thread for more information: mites.

 

[Deschain]

I wonder if astro turf might be useable? Then again it's most likely going to be more trouble than what it's worth.

I'm sure there's something, somewhere that will allow us to have the natural look of moss without the negatives. Maybe it's time to hit the craft store?

 

[Venom]

I would wonder about abrasion with astroturf...it's not the softest stuff. I still think that a temperate moss--something that doesn't need supertropical conditions--might be acceptable for a T tank. If you buy the moss from a gardening store it wouldn't be "wild caught" but essentially "captive bred," and less likely to carry parasites from the wild, wouldn't it? Anyway, couldn't you put it in a vivarium in isolation for several months and wait for any mites that came with it to die off before you introduce the T? The moss below is from Britain, where they don't have tropical conditions, but temps do get above 75...I dunno maybe its climatic req's would be compatible for T's ? Whaddya think?

http://www.mossacres.com/product_cushion_moss.asp

http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk/essex/eppingforest43big.html

 

[Windchaser]

If you buy the moss from a gardening store it wouldn't be "wild caught" but essentially "captive bred," and less likely to carry parasites from the wild, wouldn't it?

It would probably be fairly free of parasites, but I imagine it might be loaded with pesticides and other nasty chemicals. After all, it is being grown to thrive as a plant, not as a bed for an animal. Therefore, the nursery would most likely take steps to protect the plant from insects and other pests.

 

[Vys]

Well, ugg. You have me somewhat hooked on this idea as well now, Venom. I've thought about it before, but I really don't like keeping any tank humid. Hmmm..but nothing looks as good as a soft, green cover of moss..if only I could find some black peat for a change.

Note: Astroturf? ..Tempted to put lego in there as well?

 

[Venom]

I have sent an email to the retailer of the Leucobryum cushion moss that I posted earlier, inquiring as to whether they use pesticides and/ or fertilizers, and if so, whether they could somehow be removed from the mosses. Cross your fingers!! :drool:

Here is their contact info if you'd like to send additional questions:

http://www.mossacres.com/about_contact.asp

And in case the link doesn't work:


Moss Acres, Inc.
RD 3 - Box 3170
Honesdale,PA 18431


AddressU.S.A. Phone
1-866-GET-MOSS
(438-6677)

E-mail
info@mossacres.com

 

[Deschain]

Note: Astroturf? ..Tempted to put lego in there as well?

If Lego made something that looked like moss, and didn't contain pests...you bet your sweet ass I would!

 

[MysticKigh]

My A avic has live moss... yes, it's a pain to keep it alive and probably more trouble than it's worth. I have not had any problems to date with mites or mould. She has her funnels and hammocks above the moss with a very convenient space left open for 'watering' said moss. The only problem is that the crickets are quite good at finding that little opening, which takes us right back to the handfeeding thread that's up there ^somewhere. Spaghnum moss has a nice look to it and is good for maintaining humidity .. we tend to have more trouble keeping it moist enough rather than worrying about anything being *too* moist. The good news is it looks rather the same wet or dry. Good luck, whatever you schoose to do

 

[Venom]

Appreciate the info Mystic! With the moss I'm looking at there will hopefull not be as much of an issue with crix hiding, as it appears to grow very tight to the ground, and is more of a spongy than a shaggy moss. Here's the reply I received from the moss dealer:



"Hi,Our moss is harvested form a natural environment so it would not have
any
pesticides on it moss is very sensitive to things like.

Heidi Masucci
Operations Manager
866-GET-MOSS
www.mossacres.com"

 

[Vys]

That's sounds really good Venom! Be sure to relate your experiences if you decide to try!

 

[Vys]

Did you try? Did anyone try?