I keep seeing sphagnum moss come up when people mention about setting up vivariums. What exactly can the dried sphagnum moss i get locally do? Act as a substrate?
It depends on how you utilize it. The spaghnum moss is first soaked in hot water to triple its volume (some people just leave them in normal temp water for a few hours). After which it's ready to use. Most people use it as backing on the back wall, a top layer for a substrate or a substitution for soil or peat moss. They can also function as a moist medium for plants to anchor upon whilst being placed on branches, rocks etc.
Regards,
Phillipe.
Would it be feasible for me to use it as a top layer over soil in a tank for frogs? Then maybe placing some singapore moss over it to grow, as i always encounter the moss drying up of me most of the time.
Also, would it be alright if i i place some money plants into the tank? would the moist sphagnum moss cause the roots of the plant to rot? Thanks in advance!
It's feasible as long as your bottom layer is not compacted thus causing it to be anaerobic (trapped air bubbles turning it toxic; signs being blackened soil and a pungent smell)
What i suggest in this scenario is not to have the soil at all. Use clay pellets (found in local nurseries) and top that up with a nice layer of spaghnum moss. Then you can place ur plants on it. The spaghnum moss will be moist enough to allow the singapore moss to slowly adhere itself to it and to start growing new fronds and spreading in time to come.
If you're worried that your singapore moss will dry up, after placing them ontop of the spaghnum moss layer, have a decent spray to moist them further and cover your tank fully. This will allow time for the moss to establish itself. Once you see new fronds coming out, you can allow a slight gap to provide ventilation and you can continue to the second stage of planting.
If not, just plant everything in, and spray down to keep it moist and have a cover over it. Just make sure, you have a small gap to allow for the exchange of gases & ventilation and just enough to keep the humidity in.
Lastly, money plants make good starter plants for the vivarium and they spread quite rapidly with their root system reaching into the bottom layer in due time.
Regards,
Phillipe.
Oh, i see. How thick do you reckon the sphagnum moss layer should be, and do i dunk them in water before laying them in the tank? And thanks for all the help Phillipe, its just what a newbie like me needs.
Just a visual aid here. This is how it looks like after soaking. There's two types out there, one being from China and the other the higher quality one. The pricier one is much more thicker in fronds size and able to retain more water thus making it much more worth the money.
How thick the layer of spaghnum moss lies entirely to you as to how you do the scaping. On a general note, perhaps 2-4cm thick would be fine if you want to only have terrestrial mosses on it. But if for planting, i suggest 1-2inches would be just nice. For planting money plants, you can choose not to have it so thick.
Upon buying the spaghnum moss, just pour some boiling water on it. You'll see it expanding in size. Once cooled down, you can use it straighaway.
And don't worry about it, we're here to assist you within our means
Regards,
Phillipe.
Pardon me to ask a silly question well the spaghnum will grow again into live spaghnum moss or it just for planting purpose only any advise thank.
No, these spaghnum mosses are dried beforehand when packed. So they cannot be revived. Their uses amongst others are as a planting substrate or growing medium for seedlings and plants alike.
Regards,
Phillipe.
Originally Posted by tarzanboy
actually depends on how the sphagnum moss is treated. some times it's not sterilised, just air dried and compressed. those might be able to regenerate.
may i know where to get those moss?
Laban, you can buy these spaghnum moss at plant nurseries. Just to name one source, Far East Flora has it.
These spaghnum mosses are generally sterilized so chances of it regenerating is totally zilch.
Regards,
Phillipe.
Yes phillipe it very useful I had already 2 packet for my vivarium tank now waiting to stable and mature and will post for your guy
That's great to hear Tarzanboy!
Regards,
Phillipe.
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