Grass from the garden

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Can clumps of grass from the garden be used inside a vivarium.(My garden is chemical free)

[infernalis]

of course you can. It's called "Bio Active" caging.

[CrazyHedgehog]

I'm sure someone will come back with a sensible answer, but I never have in-case I introduce loads of bugs, mites, micro organisms, bacteria etc.
in the tank it is too easy to get to optimal breeding temp, and its all held in tank.. in the wild, tyou would get frozen areas, too damp too dry etc which keep it under control, and the snake can move away etc...
just personal opinion though, no facts really

[infernalis]

I'm sure someone will come back with a sensible answer, but I never have in-case I introduce loads of bugs, mites, micro organisms, bacteria etc.
in the tank it is too easy to get to optimal breeding temp, and its all held in tank.. in the wild, tyou would get frozen areas, too damp too dry etc which keep it under control, and the snake can move away etc...
just personal opinion though, no facts really

That was a sensible answer.

most bacteria and organisms found in your yard are beneficial, with a large bio active setup, you don't even have to clean up any snake poop, because it breaks down quickly.

[guidofatherof5]

I don't think Inge meant anything but it.
From the looks of the post times Inge was probably composing a post when yours was uploaded.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I didn't think about the mites and other nasties I'll use grass seed instead and plant them in the substrate to avoid potential parasites.I'll be using potting soil there will most likely be beneficial bacteria all ready in there.

[Stefan-A]

Mites shouldn't be a problem, unless you get the grass from an area with a snake population. Then you might risk getting some external parasites with the grass.

If I may make a suggestion, it's easier and less risky to just buy the seeds and plant the grass. I did something like that a little over a year ago. I collected seeds from a number of wild grasses (over a dozen species), mixed them with some bought seeds and planted them. I ended the experiment when I realized the soil I used had a fungus gnat infestation I couldn't get rid of. And unfortunately, I don't seem to have a single picture of the enclosure when it was at its finest.

edit: hah, you beat me to it.

[Stefan-A]

What I did end up having, was video of it a few weeks after planting. Here's a bad screen shot.



The water bowl is actually a trap for those damn gnats.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I just had a thought (which is rare).Growing cultures of grass on a window sill and cutting clumps off to put in the terrarium,replacing when it dries and avoiding the need to wet the substrate and increasing the risk of skin problems and mold.I'll try both methods to see which works the best.My marcianus is still small so won't have to be put into her adult tank until next year.I'll be able to experiment with different plants and such.

[CrazyHedgehog]

That was a sensible answer.

most bacteria and organisms found in your yard are beneficial, with a large bio active setup, you don't even have to clean up any snake poop, because it breaks down quickly.

my apologies Infernalis, this was a cross posting, no-one had replied when I answered, and as I said it was just my opinion, not based on fact,