Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

rachel132002

Well a 36x15x15 viv has been vacated so i'm going to make that crestie land now as the exoterra down here is pants and i cant put it upstairs so yeah long story short so far i have 1 viv with orchid bark in and some cork logs and my rooms about 75-80degrees so no heat required but i want to add some live plants to make it au natural so what can i use: i've been told peace lillies and weeping figs but i want stuff with some colour too if possible just to make it a really nice viv to look at as cresties aren't really seen lol.

Rach
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20 Corns
30 Royals
3 BCI
2 BCC
2 JCP
2 Leos
1 Beardy
2 Cresties

MJ · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:01 pm Post subject:

What kind of lighting are yo using on the viv? Once I know that I'll have a better idea on what plants will do well in there.

Also You're going to need to add a few things for plants (if planted directly into the substrate)

Most importantly a drainage layer 2 inches of LECA (Hydroton hydroleca) would do the job.

Then you will need to keep the substrate out of this by using a peice of weed block fabric cut to size.

For the planting mix I recommend adding an equal amount of peat moss (peat).
_________________
Paul

For all your Tropical plant and Naturalistic Vivarium needs please enjoy Urban Bromeliad

Phil1988 · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:43 pm Post subject:

Can't go wrong with this guy (MJ) Rach, get your plants from him for your viv. Top bloke Cool

rachel132002 · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:31 am Post subject:

Well as a reccomendation from rep shop i've got 2 bromeliads, a peace lilly and a weeping fig all just in their pots in the substrate. Lighting wise - i don't have any as i was told cresties aren't amazingly fond of it but it can easily be added if needed.

The viv i'm using is a 3ft wooden viv so don't know if that makes any difference to how much substrate/drainage etc i can use?

Guess the best way to do it is you guys who know tell me and i shall follow lol so long as it looks all nice and pretty i'm happy.

Also like i said in another thread one of the geckos was a bit offish - not sticky then the other day it got sticky again but now it's not again so maybe humidity isn't holding, anyway of aiding that apart from daily misting or should that be sufficient?

Rach
_________________
20 Corns
30 Royals
3 BCI
2 BCC
2 JCP
2 Leos
1 Beardy
2 Cresties

Phil1988 · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:09 am Post subject:

I'm guessing you have a wooden viv where all but the front is wood and then the front is glass sliding doors?
Well if so I don't think live plants will stay live for very long without light because it will be dark almost all the time in a viv like that. That brings you to the next problem of having a UV tube inside the viv - I wouldn't want to do this as its a risk of burns if a crestie gets stuck behind/on the tube etc.
Humidity may also cause the wood of the viv to swell in places and soon it will get damp in the joints and start to rot. I (and many other keepers of cresties on here) keep them in exos because they just rule out most of the problems above. You can put a tube above the mesh to give light for plants, also because its all glass you're going to get light from your room, daylight etc. They hold humidity pretty well and if need be you can put an extra piece of glass over half of the top mesh too.
Sorry for the huge reply I got carried away Embarassed

can't really help you much on the plants, that's MJ's job Cool

rachel132002 · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:19 pm Post subject:

hmm yeah i did wonder, they're in the small exo at the mo just dont have the cash for the big job just yet so thought i'd do the 3ft viv but if it just won't work then ill manage for now tll i can get the 45x45 thing

Rach
_________________
20 Corns
30 Royals
3 BCI
2 BCC
2 JCP
2 Leos
1 Beardy
2 Cresties

MJ · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject:

Hi rachel,

I'll echo all what Phil said about the wooden vivarium being really difficult for the plants and swelling issues...

Peace lilies also get really big and enjoy really moist almost wet soils so probably wont do so well in a crestie vivs of practical sizes there are some dwarf cultivars out there but it's hard to tell which are just stunted and forced on and which are the dwarfs unless buying direct from a nursery other than say homebase Confused

I would recommend taking the step from partially naturalistic onto fully naturalistic (taking the plants out of the pots) as this will encourage a small eco system and grow in much more with the plants taking all the waste and what not.

For plants I would recommend the following if your eventually going for a 45x45x60 or something but even if yu stick with a 45 cube.

Bromeliads
Guzmania
Neoregelia
Vrisea
Aechmea

Kangaroo ferns
petris ferns

smaller Orchids like
Phalaenopsis
Encyclia
Ludisia
Macodes

Creepers misc

Ficus pumilia
Dischidia cultivars/species
Pothos (devils ivy Epipremnum aureum )
Rhipsalis cactus (it's a tropical epyphite )
Peperomia
Jave moss

There's much more but this gives you a bit of an idea as t what can work
_________________
Paul

For all your Tropical plant and Naturalistic Vivarium needs please enjoy Urban Bromeliad