Can humidity be too high?

[ARCH3R]

I see a lot of what you're trying to say. There are very few forms of bacteria in those symbiotic categories. In aquariums the use of cyanobacteria, most commonly algae, are true mutualistic symbiotes with the coral due to their nitrogen fixation. This is part of what balances an aquarium so well, but the process is arguably more complex on land.You're confusing symbiosis with benefit, but in many cases it's harmful, especially to the host of the parasites.

A pH imbalance is only something that you'll notice if you're plants are sensitive to it. Furthermore pH is not the only reason that most people change out soil. Low potassium, nitrogen, or phosphorous should be affecting it. If not growth or color than perhaps bloom. Think of water, although resources are cycled you'll eventually need more to be added.

I browsed the Carl Gans book just now, although it seems very informative I'm not sure how it is pertinent to the discussion. I was saying how little was known about the reptile immune system, ad this book doesn't cover it.

[jarich]

Originally Posted by ARCH3R

I see a lot of what you're trying to say. There are very few forms of bacteria in those symbiotic categories. In aquariums the use of cyanobacteria, most commonly algae, are true mutualistic symbiotes with the coral due to their nitrogen fixation. This is part of what balances an aquarium so well, but the process is arguably more complex on land.You're confusing symbiosis with benefit, but in many cases it's harmful, especially to the host of the parasites.

A pH imbalance is only something that you'll notice if you're plants are sensitive to it. Furthermore pH is not the only reason that most people change out soil. Low potassium, nitrogen, or phosphorous should be affecting it. If not growth or color than perhaps bloom. Think of water, although resources are cycled you'll eventually need more to be added.

I browsed the Carl Gans book just now, although it seems very informative I'm not sure how it is pertinent to the discussion. I was saying how little was known about the reptile immune system, ad this book doesn't cover it.

I think you might have browsed a bit too quickly. There are 22 very large volumes all pertaining specifically to the biology of reptiles. Immunity is fully covered as are all major biological systems, in minute detail. Reptiles are actually one of the most studied animal groups there are, and at one time it was a close race as to which would become the common lab animal used in science. Its sort of only a fluke that labs use mice now instead of anoles or other small lizards. An interesting historical read if you are curious.

As for the symbiotic parasites, thats just it, there are more than you think, and probably more positive benefits than were previously thought. We were taught to think that all parasites were bad and should be eradicated immediately, but the more we understand the intricate relationships involved, the more it seems that there are benefits to many of them, or at the very least, not many problems. The problems are usually to do with us as keepers and how we mess up the balance of reptile's immune or other systems, and the resulting parasite blooms. Its sort of like saying that cane toads are bad because of what happened in Australia. But cane toads arent bad, they were just taken out of their natural habitat and bloomed uncontrollably.

As for the soil, actually what you describe with cyanobacteria and nitrogen fixing also happens in soil around plant roots. Soil is a bit trickier than water as it doesnt move the same way, so maybe more like a salt water aquarium than a freshwater one in complexity. However, its not so much adding more, but just turning the soil that fixes that problem usually. Like I said, the first bioactive enclosure I made had nothing added to the soil for years. I just took it apart yesterday as I upgraded my GTP to a larger enclosure. The plants were still growing happily, and the soil still smelled wonderful. I actually 'seeded' a couple of my other enclosures with it.

This will sounds sort of cheesy I know (but I dont care as Im a huge Jurassic Park fan) but life finds a way. You bring in dirt and plants and bugs and its pretty hard to kill it if you keep it maintained.

[ARCH3R]

Actually animal testing is something I'm very familiar on and have never even heard of reptiles being in a close race. I have to entirely disagree that reptiles are the most highly studied. Billions upon billions have been spent on rodent studies due to their genetic similiarities, rapid breeding rates, similar physiological responses to stressors etc. This is money that has never been available to reptile studies and quite frankly never will, unless of course, Jurassic Park becomes a reality. My first board accepted study had me pleading with a pharmacology company, trying to convince them of the monetary gains that could be seen.

Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that nearly everything you've said could be true. However all good research I've seen doesn't seem to support it at this time. Namely lifespan, illness rates and growth in traditionally kept animals (sterile environments) compared to others.

[Sasha2]

It sounds very much like taking care of a tank full of fish. Not sure how to check ph of soil. I will have to do some research on that. We have very hard water here and it makes everything have a higher PH.
I dont even try and pretend to be scientist or even remotely smart. However I do read alot and I did come across the CO2/O2 problems with a tank full of plants and little ventilation.

I may or may not be getting in over my head but am going to try it anyway. Im Wondering if the BRB is the best candidate for this "experiment".
Perhaps buying a few geckos or a smaller species like a garter might be a better choice. Or the Nelsons milksnake, he is pretty small still but he was already in the wild for a month when he escaped and we found him out in the shed on the far side of our property.

[ARCH3R]

I'm assuming the C02/02 problem you're talking about is too little C02 for photosynthesis to occur?

If you do attempt it though keep a journal. Food schedule growth rate health problems. It'd be awesome to see if it really does benefit them. It's entirely possible I just haven't seen any evidence of it.

[jarich]

Again, I didnt say reptiles were the most highly studied, merely that they are one of the most studied groups. That reptiles were so broadly used in research in the past is only something Im familiar with as I researched further and further back in time. Mice being used as the standard in lab testing isnt something that has always been the norm. Mice are used because they are cheap, breed quickly and are fairly rugged. Which is what anoles are too, and why they were both used for quite some time. Anoles have been a lab test subject for about a hundred years. Like I said, that mice are now the norm is partly (not totally) a bit of a fluke.

As for the good research you speak of, what studies have you seen regarding lifespan/illness/growth rates in sterile environments versus bioactive ones? The closest I have ever read came from The Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles by Warwick, et al 2001. A great read if you have the time. In it they describe the variation in these different types of housed reptiles and the seeming benefit in more naturalistic enclosures.

I see you have an ackie. Do you keep it in a sterile environment?

[ARCH3R]

As for the Ackie, yes I do, sort of. I keep her on paper towels with a step ladder setup for heat and I clean her cage weekly. However, she has a 20 gallon nesting box thats kept very damp for burrowing. That gets changed out about every six months.This allows for all the naturalistic burrowing and damp burrows along with HIGH temps.