Pacman-frog Substrate

[Tim Benzedrine]

I get you and I agree gravel is bad but leaf litter seems to make my frogs more content and I still dont see who live moss is a problem

Not ALL moss is bad. But usually the stuff they sell you in pet shops is that stringy sphagnum moss, which has the reputation of getting bound up in the frogs innards. And of course it isn't even alive when you buy it. So I stand by advising against it.
Now, there are types of sheet moss that are considered relatively safe, but I have no personal experience with any of them either.
Something else to think about is that everything varies depending on what critter you are keeping. Pacs are considered to be at higher risk of impaction because of their "grab first, ask questions later" habits, so you have to take that into consideration.

Really, all you can do is research the differing opinions and do what you feel is right, after eliminating the obviously ridiculous advice, of course.

I haven't posted a picture of my pac's setup for awhile. I did when I first moved him into it from his 5 gallon tank, but the plants have grown quite a bit since then. Below you can see it as it is today.
It's due for a complete change any day now, so there are a couple things that I need to fix. I need to change the plant container, the rim was broke so I taped the sharp edge with masking tape. It's safe, but I think it's kind of unsightly. I'd like to find something a little more naturalistic looking anyway. The pothos plant has grown over the water dish, but thats no big feal, he doesn't use it anyway, I just keep it there "just in case".
I also noticed that the under-tank heater has become detached, so I'll have to see to that before firing it up for the winter. (I reused it from the previous tank, so the sticky stuff doesn't work as well, it's time for some duct tape!)
Speaking of under-tank heaters, here is a tip. Lose the little rubber feet that they provide with the heater to elevate the tank in order to allow air-flow beneath it? A beer bottle cap under each corner of the tank works perfect!

 

[kingfarvito]

Not ALL moss is bad. But usually the stuff they sell you in pet shops is that stringy sphagnum moss, which has the reputation of getting bound up in the frogs innards. And of course it isn't even alive when you buy it. So I stand by advising against it.
Now, there are types of sheet moss that are considered relatively safe, but I have no personal experience with any of them either.
Something else to think about is that everything varies depending on what critter you are keeping. Pacs are considered to be at higher risk of impaction because of their "grab first, ask questions later" habits, so you have to take that into consideration.

Really, all you can do is research the differing opinions and do what you feel is right, after eliminating the obviously ridiculous advice, of course.

I haven't posted a picture of my pac's setup for awhile. I did when I first moved him into it from his 5 gallon tank, but the plants have grown quite a bit since then. Below you can see it as it is today.
It's due for a complete change any day now, so there are a couple things that I need to fix. I need to change the plant container, the rim was broke so I taped the sharp edge with masking tape. It's safe, but I think it's kind of unsightly. I'd like to find something a little more naturalistic looking anyway. The pothos plant has grown over the water dish, but thats no big feal, he doesn't use it anyway, I just keep it there "just in case".
I also noticed that the under-tank heater has become detached, so I'll have to see to that before firing it up for the winter. (I reused it from the previous tank, so the sticky stuff doesn't work as well, it's time for some duct tape!)
Speaking of under-tank heaters, here is a tip. Lose the little rubber feet that they provide with the heater to elevate the tank in order to allow air-flow beneath it? A beer bottle cap under each corner of the tank works perfect!

nice set up I like it...personally id make the substrate deeper but my girl like to burrow

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

Thanks! It isn't just what I want yet, but it's getting there.

 

[kupo969]

I suppose in the wild they have keepers that lay out nice beds of coco fiber then? no leaf litter at all no pebbles no moss?

Who's to say that in the wild they don't die from impaction? I bet they do, and I wouldn't doubt if it were to happen often.

As Tim said, as a keeper, we try to prevent all of those things from happening and do not take the risk (at least most of us). If you want to take the risk, go for it but my suggestion is to not.

I'm not trying to flame you but trying to help you out and letting your pacman live long and healthy.

Also, if you don't know about chytrid fungus, you should look it up or go to the forum I posted. The people on there are GREAT and VERY knowledgeable.

 

[kingfarvito]

Who's to say that in the wild they don't die from impaction? I bet they do, and I wouldn't doubt if it were to happen often.

As Tim said, as a keeper, we try to prevent all of those things from happening and do not take the risk (at least most of us). If you want to take the risk, go for it but my suggestion is to not.

I'm not trying to flame you but trying to help you out and letting your pacman live long and healthy.

Also, if you don't know about chytrid fungus, you should look it up or go to the forum I posted. The people on there are GREAT and VERY knowledgeable.

im registered on fat frogs and know all about chytrid

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

Cage 2.0

Did an entire clean-out today and also a bit of redecorating. I used up a bit more of his already limited real estate, but to be perfectly frank, he doesnn't go anywhere anyway. I disguised that unsightly pot with some tree bark I had laying around. I like the effect, it looks a little like a tree stump.
I also added a hunk of driftwood and one of those arrow-shaped leaf plants that I can never remember the name of. I planted it directly into the substrate, it's right behind the driftwood.
Halfway thru the project, I realized I didn't have enough coco fibre left, so I had to bank it up in the back a bit a spread it pretty thin in the foreground.
I usually recycle my substrate by cleaning it, rinsing it thoroughly with boiling water, and then baking it dry, so I'll have more tomorrow. And no, it's not that I'm that cheap, it's just that I can sometimes have difficulty getting the fibre bricks locally and like to have some on hand at all times.
Anyway, I may need to make a few tweaks, but here is the result of the renovation.

 

[kupo969]

Be careful with driftwood, it molds easily and can harm your pac man.

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

Hmm. Good point. I may need to rethink it. Given the high humidity, it is probably inevitable that that will happen. Don't know why it didn't occur to me, I know perfectly well the propensity wood has to mold.
Oh well, I'll watch carefully and just chuck it when the mold appears. Maybe I'll get lucky and it won't be an issue. But I won't count on it.

Thanks for pointing out my oversight!