Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[Phil1988]

I just cleaned out the 45x45x60 exo terra that currently houses my male crestie. I've added lots more plants and branches because I'm getting ready for when the female moves in. I've also left room right in the middle (where there is most plant cover) for a nest box of some kind.

Also I got a food and water dish because I was getting sick of re-filling milk bottle caps

[Gimpy]

im loving those mossy branches. where'd you get them?
Fingers crossed for your boy, here's hoping a girlfriend is on the horizon!

[Jase]

Yep, looks great. The mossed branches add to an already attractive setup
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A lil bit of Madagascar

[MJ]

have to agree the mossy branches are very cool
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Paul

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

[Cleef]

Wicked setup Phil As above, those branches are awesome, you have set them up nicely too, LOADS to explore
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Steve P

[Phil1988]

Thanks everyone, I just had a wander down into the valley behind my house and happened to find a tree covered in moss so I took some of it's thinner branches. I find that not only does it look good but it keeps a good humidity. It took me a while to saw the ends of the branches at the right angle so that they could be wedged in without falling down

[Exalted Gecko]

Phil they look really good but...

They aren't safe for your crestie as they may have mites in them... All wood collected from woods etc should be sterilised and baked or microwaved to be safe. I would go as far as to say you may heve contaminated the whole set-up if the wood had mites are other harmful inhabitants...
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Kind Regards,

Chris

[Phil1988]

Wow you don't sugar coat things do you mate
I haven't really much to say on this as I know that wood collected from outside should be baked like that but that would also kill the moss. I also have always used branches like these in my vivs and have yet to see a problem. I think a few bugs here and there help with a natural tank anyway.

Also I wouldn't use branches that I found lying on the floor because they could have been anywhere or been fouled on by dogs etc. I make sure I get living branches from off the ground. Also they do get soaked.

But thanks for showing concern, I do listen honest but I have already thought about it a long time ago and made my choice.

[MJ]

another way to steralize wood from outside (with moss on ) is to soak it in a 5-10% water bleach solution soak it for 20 minutes then rinse with water and allow it to dry... the bleach will evaporate before the water and kill any nasties on the branch.

I do this with all the plants going into my frog vivs with out any bad effects on the frogs.
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Paul

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

[Phil1988]

Yeah I was going to try that but then I just soaked them a few times in water. It'll be fine theyre animals no need to bubble wrap them so much.