Moss basics for a n00b?

Hello everyone, its me again. I recently joined a week or so ago and have been lurking ever since, and if youve seen my thread/s (only 2, one to introduce myself and one about lighting.) youll know Im still very new at this. I have my tank all set up, EXCEPT, Ive heard that some people like to use moss for a top layer on some parts. My question is this:

Seeing as how Im getting an P. imperator (Emperor), what kind of moss should I use? Should I even use moss?

I have use Eco Earth cocoa fiber as a substrate by the way.

Any help would be super awesome! I havnt gotten my scorpion yet because I want to make sure everything is perfect, and this would really help me. Just about the last thing I need to know.

Thanks!

ps. Feel free to PM me for anything.

Moss is just for aesthetic purposes, some use it to make the tank look more natural.

Check for the moss that comes in a compressed brick. (Similar to coco fiber.)

For tanks that has poor ventilation, molds might easily form on those moss.

I'll recommend to use solely coco fibre/peat as substrate. That would suffice for good burrowing substrate and for retaining moisture.

It's good to see posts like yours when keepers are doing their research before actually buying a scorpion, so feel free to browse around the forum and ask if there's anything you're unsure of

@Scorpion19981000: Thanks for the insightful post. Actually the only reason I wanted moss was to help keep in the humidity, but the last thing I want is mold So Ill just keep with the cocoa fiber and make sure I mist it once or twice a day (not sopping wet of course.

@GS: Thank you as well for the insightful tip. I tried finding this sort of question on other threads using the "search" bar, but it didnt come up with what I was looking for so I started this thread. And yeah, its pretty stupid when you hear about people who buy a pet of any sort, get it home and then are like "Ok what do I do now?"

I know you said you already have your tank set up but if you live in dry part of the country I would say setting up a " false bottom" would be beneficial as it holds excess drainage of water and adds as a moisture resevoir to evaporate through the soil so misting and adding water could be kept minimal and much easier to maintain humidity levels.

Another note,misting alone won't suffice. It generally only gets the top layer moist. I like to gently overflow the waterdish with water and occasionally misting. Each keeper has their own practice that works for them and their specific climate,enclosure and time. You'll find your niche.

shining wrote:

I know you said you already have your tank set up but if you live in dry part of the country I would say setting up a " false bottom" would be beneficial as it holds excess drainage of water and adds as a moisture resevoir to evaporate through the soil so misting and adding water could be kept minimal and much easier to maintain humidity levels.

Another note,misting alone won't suffice. It generally only gets the top layer moist. I like to gently overflow the waterdish with water and occasionally misting. Each keeper has their own practice that works for them and their specific climate,enclosure and time. You'll find your niche.

+1.

shining wrote:

I know you said you already have your tank set up but if you live in dry part of the country I would say setting up a " false bottom" would be beneficial as it holds excess drainage of water and adds as a moisture resevoir to evaporate through the soil so misting and adding water could be kept minimal and much easier to maintain humidity levels.

Another note,misting alone won't suffice. It generally only gets the top layer moist. I like to gently overflow the waterdish with water and occasionally misting. Each keeper has their own practice that works for them and their specific climate,enclosure and time. You'll find your niche.

I live in ND so I guess it is pretty dry alot of the time. How does one go about making a "false bottom"? I dont have my bedding down yet (since I dont have my scorps.) Or is there a thread for one?
Also thanks for the tips!

Forgot to mention, incase its crucial, I have a 10 gallon glass tank, and am only getting one scorpion.

It's basically a layer of gravel below the substrate, a quick google search will give you some different methods. http://lmgtfy.com/?q=site%3Ascorpionforum.darkbb.com+false+bottom

Scorpion19981000 wrote:

It's basically a layer of gravel below the substrate, a quick google search will give you some different methods. http://lmgtfy.com/?q=site%3Ascorpionforum.darkbb.com+false+bottom

you can see the gravel on the bottom....works great and super easy

[img][/img]

KingofHearts wrote:

Forgot to mention, incase its crucial, I have a 10 gallon glass tank, and am only getting one scorpion.

That is perfect for one emp or for a male and female combo(depending on individual personality).

Concerning the false bottom. Not sure if it says this in that link that was provided or what you've read but a screen of some sort would prevent excess soil drainage into the gravel or hydroballs. A good cheap screen would be cross stitch mesh. It's plastic screen used to learn to sew. You can find that at a thrift store for 75c a sheet. I used zip ties or fish line to tie mesh sheets together to make one long screen.