[Arklier]

I was at the nursery today, and they were selling coco fiber mats on a roll for about $1.50 a foot. It's meant to go in the bottom of large hanging wire baskets, but I was wondering if it could be used for a viv? The stuff is about 1/2" thick, and kind of flexible. Well, not stiff anyway. Still, it's a lot cheaper than most viv sites sell coco fiber mats.

 

[Scott]

It's called coir I believe...

I know a lot of people have used it successfully.

s

 

[Arklier]

Yeah, I know. But what I've mostly seen at viv sites is thicker, and able to support its own weight without being glued to the back of the tank. I'm wondering if this stuff would collapse with the weight of plants growing on it.

 

[Guest]

its what I use, I glue it to the back with silicone, and cut extra pieces and hot glue it to the back to make pockets the plant in. works pretty good. Lately I've seen even thinner, aprox 1/4 inch sold for hermit crabs, but its expensive, $6 for a piece to fit a ten gal.

 

[Arklier]

I went down to the nursery yesterday to buy some, and they had a 36" roll that had 3/4" thick coco panel. I needed to cover an area of 48" x 17", so I bought 2' and cut it in half the short way so I ended up with two 24" x 18" pieces. It cost $4.50 per foot, so I ended up spending $9. A certain well known terrarium store online charges $19.99 for a 22.25" x 7.25" panel, so I think I made out pretty well.

 

[dmartin72]

How did that background turnout? Any pics? Was the nursery grade coco panel satisfactory and has it lasted?

 

[Guest]

Ya im curious to see if im thinking about the same stuff ure using.

 

[Dancing frogs]

I've found it works real well for separating the soil from the drainage layer. It seems "nicer" to use that than screen (to me anyways).

 

[Darks!de]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but what's the overall consensus on tree fern backing?

 

[Guest]

It's great, but not sustainable. I have used it in the past, but refuse to use anything non-sustainable in terrariums any more-- especially with such good other options now available.
j

 

[Darks!de]

SUch as?

 

[dcameron]

Cocos Panels- the ones from Vivaria Projects. Plants love them and they are environment friendly. I order all of mine from herpsupplies.com.

Dave

 

[HansV]

The new cocospanels are for sale now. They are more durable, more accurate in dimensions, and less expensive! See http://www.vivaria.nl

 

[Guest]

coir matting

The coir matting is great for use inbetween a falsebottom or gravel bottom and your soil. I use it in all my tanks. It can also be used for a background, but it needs to be siliconed on well. I carry the coir in a large roll and sell it by the sq. ft. The roll is 39"W x 50'L