Zoo Med’s New Zealand Sphagnum Moss is soft and holds many times its weight in water. That means it will help keep the air in your box turtle’s home humidified longer. It lasts longer than many other substrate choices and is even washable and re-usable! If you have live plants in your turtle’s pen, it’s also good for putting around the base of the plants. It’s best used with other bedding materials rather than on its own.
Zoo Med’s New Zealand Sphagnum Moss is a popular all-natural substrate used by reptile and amphibian keepers looking to increase humidity levels in their pet’s enclosures. In this detailed review we’ll take an in-depth look at this moss substrate to see if it lives up to its reputation for maintaining high humidity and healthy habitats.
Overview of Zoo Med New Zealand Sphagnum Moss
Zoo Med’s sphagnum moss is harvested sustainably from New Zealand using environmentally-friendly methods It’s 100% natural with no dyes or chemicals added This moss is excellent at absorbing and retaining moisture – it can hold up to 20 times its weight in water!
The moss comes compressed in a dry, brick-like block that expands dramatically when rehydrated. Zoo Med offers it in two sizes: an 80 cubic inch block or a 150 gram block. It can be reused several times if rinsed and dried thoroughly between uses.
Key Features and Benefits
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Incredible absorbency – The moss’ superb water-retention abilities help maintain humidity levels between 60-80%, ideal for species that thrive in humid environments. Less frequent misting is needed.
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Natural and safe – With no additives or chemicals, this moss is safe for sensitive reptile and amphibian skin. It promotes a healthy, toxin-free habitat.
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Reusable – The moss can be rinsed and reused up to 4 times, making it a cost-effective option compared to substrates that need frequent replacing.
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Mold resistant – Sphagnum moss contains natural compounds that help prevent mold, keeping enclosures fresher for longer.
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Soft and lush – It provides a naturalistic, shaggy carpet perfect for burrowing creatures. The soft texture won’t scratch delicate skin.
Ideal Uses and Applications
Zoo Med’s sphagnum moss is an excellent substrate for:
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Arboreal species like chameleons and tree frogs that prefer rainforest-like humidity.
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Animals that are prone to respiratory infections without adequate moisture levels (salamanders, blue-tongued skinks).
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Young reptiles and amphibians during delicate shedding periods. The moss helps retain moisture on the skin.
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Naturally humid bioactive vivariums containing live plants and clean-up crews. It preserves stable humidity levels.
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In hides or shelters to create a humid microclimate perfect for shedding.
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Lining the lower levels of a tank and covering another loose substrate on top. This creates a natural appearance.
Set Up and Maintenance
Setting up Zoo Med’s sphagnum moss is easy. Simply soak the compressed brick in water until fully expanded, then gently wring out excess moisture until just damp. It shouldn’t be soaking wet. Replace the moss every 3-4 months or when obviously dirty. Spot clean feces daily.
To reuse, rinse the moss thoroughly in dechlorinated water until the rinse water runs clear. Wring it out fully and allow to air dry before returning to the enclosure. Discard any moss that develops a foul odor or appearance.
Always monitor humidity levels with a hygrometer. Mist the environment as needed to maintain the ideal humidity range for your particular species.
Pros and Cons of Zoo Med Sphagnum Moss
Pros:
- Boosts humidity substantially while resisting mold
- Absorbs messes/waste products for easy spot cleaning
- Natural appearance and soft texture
- Cost-effective since it can be reused
Cons:
- Needs more frequent replacing than substrates like reptile carpet
- Poor burrowing/tunneling ability for substrates dwellers
- Risk of introducing mites if not prepared properly
- Expensive compared to options like coconut fiber
Reviews from Reptile Owners
Most reptile owners praise Zoo Med’s sphagnum moss for its humidity-enhancing abilities. They love how it helps shy, humidity-loving species feel secure and comfortable. Many mention it works well over hydro balls in a bioactive vivarium to create a lush, tropical look.
Some users warn that the moss may arrive with a dry, brownish appearance instead of vibrant green. However, the color doesn’t affect its performance. A few people found it to get dirty quicker than expected, with a 1-2 month lifespan.
Overall, most reviews suggest Zoo Med’s New Zealand sphagnum moss is an effective, safe way to raise humidity levels and provide a naturalistic environment. It fits well into naturalistic terrarium builds. Most reptiles appear to thrive on this soft, spongy substrate.
Final Verdict
For species that require rainforest-like humidity to stay healthy, Zoo Med’s New Zealand Sphagnum Moss is an excellent substrate choice. It absorbs water readily, resists mold, and helps maintain humidity between 60-80% with minimal effort. This natural moss offers a beautiful look reminiscent of a forest floor. It can be reused to save money. Just be prepared to replace it more often than substrates like reptile carpet. Overall, Zoo Med’s sphagnum moss earns high marks for boosting humidity safely and naturally.
Is Sphagnum Moss Safe for Box Turtles?
Moss is very safe to use with box turtles. It’s soft, so it won’t scratch them. It’s a natural plant material, so it’s safe to eat. And this product has no chemicals added that could be dangerous.
In fact, box turtle experts often recommend moss as one of the elements of a well-landscaped box turtle habitat.
New Zealand Sphagnum Moss Pros & Cons SummaryNZ Sphagnum Moss
Overall, this product has many more positive qualities than negative ones.
Pros:
- Helps maintain humidity because it can hold as much as 20 times its weight in water
- You won’t have to fuss with misting as much, because it stays moist longer than other substrates
- Doesn’t decompose like other substrates
- Resists molding (very important in humid habitats!)
- Doesn’t stick to wet pets
Cons:
- More expensive than other mosses
People who use it mostly love it. And even concern about the price is minimized because one package lasts a long time.
Zoo-Med Sphagnum Moss Review
FAQ
Why is New Zealand sphagnum moss better?
New Zealand Sphagnum moss is recognised worldwide for its premium quality. In the orchid growing industry it is renowned for having long, strong strands, lasting long in the pot and having excellent water holding capacity; all of which encourage strong and healthy root development.
How long does New Zealand sphagnum moss last?
| NZ | CHINESE | |
|---|---|---|
| Logevity in pot | Robust nature allows it to last long time in the pot (4-5 years) | Due to contamination and the fragility of the moss it can break down very quickly (9-12 months) |
What are the disadvantages of sphagnum moss?
Plants with low fertilization needs do fine in only sphagnum moss, but because it is nutrient-poor it is not suitable for plants that grow fast, such as young seedlings.
What kind of moss is zoo med terrarium moss?
Zoo Med Terrarium Moss is a natural Sphagnum moss and can be used as a purely decorative or functional substrate in plant terrariums. Sphagnum moss, also called peat moss, can store large amounts of water and is therefore ideal for humid biotopes.
What is New Zealand Sphagnum moss?
New Zealand Sphagnum moss is a versatile product renowned for its remarkable natural properties; it has a long lasting nature and an excellent water holding capacity. To ensure the highest quality, Besgrow has long-established quality control procedures in place for their Spagmoss products.
How much does sphagnum moss cost in the UK?
£7.59 is the price for CZKJ Sphagnum Moss in the UK. Sycamore Trading Irish Moss PEAT is priced at £4.6 for 100 litres, and Gardman 04100 Fresh Sphagnum Moss is available for £7.59 for a standard pack.
Which Moss is best for a terrarium?
Zoo Med’s New Zealand Sphagnum Moss is preferred over any other type of moss for terrarium use due to its unique softness and amazing moisture-holding ability. This lush, carpet-like moss can hold moisture up to 20 times its dry weight!