Soil composition

[rollinkansas]

Hello,

I am just wondering what type of soil you guys use for those that let the eggs hatch in the tank. I am used to more "spartan" tanks where you will search for eggs and artificially incubate them.

However, I would like to go with more heavily planted tanks, and want to make sure that the soil will not be too wet/too dry and will allow the eggs to properly incubate and not mold/dehydrate.

Thank you.

[Nobi]

Hello,
I am keeping 11. Anolis roquet roquet in an 85x50x80 cm self-made tank since March 2008. As I was never planning to search eggs and incubate them I prepared the tank as naturally as possible. I have earth ground from the forest as soil, little bit mixed with coco humus and sand but both not much. Also some dry leafs on top of the ground. I have the tank heaviliy planted but just as much that in some places little light is also reaching the ground. As said really natural. Last year I had 7 siblings from July to November, which suddenly appeared someday behind the windows, asking to get out there before being eaten by their Mum and Dad. One died the day after I took it out, the others were healthy and grew up normally. I think in a microclima like this tank has, it goes the natural ways, without being that much experienced as other people here.

[Horst]

I use normal potting soil in my tanks. Plants help very well to hold the humidity in good values.

For "easyer" anole-species it`s no problem to let the eggs in the tank. Most eggs are doing well. For more "problematic" species I prefer man-made incubation; it`s more controlled.

Also in well planted tanks you can find a lot of the eggs when you once found the prefered places where eggs are layed.

Hope you understand my poor english....

regards
Horst

[rollinkansas]

Thank you for the replies. The pair I am most worried about is Anolis marmoratus marmoratus. Of course for a species like this, you want all the eggs to do well, so I would like it best for them as possible. Right now I use organic peat moss mixed with some sand but I think I want to change this out for some better moisture holding soil.