At this time I have an Anole tank and a Crested Gecko tank. Both are really basic in their set up with paper towel substrate, fake vines and leafy foliage, wood log hides, etc. Not much to look at. Fine for existing, but not sure about thriving. We are moving soon and I will have a room to keep my critters (reptiles and fish). As part of this new room I wanted to upgrade my reptiles' homes a bit. I want to go more natural, with an earthy type substrate and live plants (possibly planted in the substrate??). Making the tanks nicer to look at, but also to give the lizards more places to hide when the cat decides to sit down and stare at them for hours...........

So, questions are, what types of substrates do you recommend for a more "natural" set up to grow plants in (or would leaving plants potted be better??), what plants do you recommend for both anoles and for cresteds? The anole tank is a taller tank, the crested's is wider than tall, though I hope to get a taller tank down the road for her.

If there are any existing threads going on about these that I missed, feel free to just link me there, save your fingers the typing..

Thanks!

__________________
1.2.0 Green Anoles ("Gillespie, Billie, Lena")
0.1.0 Crested gecko ("Betty")
1.0.0 Rosy Boa ("Boomer", we're assuming he's male for now)

Top soil is a great substrate. As long as its free of all chemicals. vermiculite, and such. I also like peat mulch. You can get that at garden stores as well, and apply the same rules as with the soil. No chemicals.

Pothos, is pretty much the only terrarium plant I know by name I have several plants in my enclosures, but don't know what they are. I'm sure Cody can help you out in that department. Just be sure you transplant the plants into either a new pot or directly into the tank, and rinse the roots and leaves really well, because most plants for sale have fertilizers and pesticides on them.

__________________
+5 bonus points to whoever finds me a job!

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

sevral species of ficus (creeping fig, etc..) are supposed to be great terrarium plants

MAM, a few threads in the Tropical subforum already have a lot of good tips for you to start. Between the crested and gargoyle threads (and also a few snake ones with lots of info) here are a few links:
http://www.herpcenter.com/showthread.php?t=4220
http://www.herpcenter.com/showthread.php?t=4457
http://www.herpcenter.com/showthread.php?t=4634
http://www.herpcenter.com/showthread.php?t=4558

There are a few more but I can't seem to find them...

__________________
Wish list: Blue Tongue Skinks and Uruplatus =)

For substrate: I've been using a pretty generic mix for all my vivs but you have several options.
My mix
2 parts coco fiber/peat
1 part milled sphangum
2 parts coco husk
1 part leaf mould
I then cut it with sand depending on the amount of drainage I'm going to need.

I would unpot the plants.

Some good plants, well that all depends. Some plants that shouldn't grow in vivarium habitats flourish, while others that should thrive wilt up and die, or at least thats my experience. Ficus is a good option so or wax plants (hoya) and pothos and philodendrons are recommended to the brown thumbed hobbyists (like me). I started by picking up plants at Home Depot, mostly ones on sale or neglected ones that I got a deal on, that way if they died I wasn't too upset or broke. Almost anything you find in a green house will make a good addition, it really comes down to what you like.

rbl, thanks for the links. I have some reading to do now. I just wasn't sure quite what to search on or the best section to look.

And thanks everyone else for your suggestions. Now I have some idea of what to research for as far as the substrates and plants go.

__________________
1.2.0 Green Anoles ("Gillespie, Billie, Lena")
0.1.0 Crested gecko ("Betty")
1.0.0 Rosy Boa ("Boomer", we're assuming he's male for now)

My terrarium that rbl gave you a link for didn't have the list of plants, so I will give you a run down on my set up.
so far so good, I have not had any mold problems. If anything I am having a problem keeping the humidity up which is the opposite to what some were experiencing with the exo terra's.
(http://www.herpcenter.com/showthread.php?t=4634 )

I have only lost one plant it just shrivelled and died, that was the creeping fig. (variegated).
I have a peperomia plant, pothos, Ficus benjamina, a fern of some sort. A parlour palm I chose it because it is super slow growing. some moss, a pink spotted plant I can't for the life of me remember the name and a Dieffenbachia (SP?) My Husband says it looks like a multi colored phallic symbol LOL!
I glued some air plants in a couple places as well, I would like to add some more of them, I may do that next week.
The Substrate is hydroponic clay pellets that I sloped at the front with a plastic mesh over top of that, I then added Reptile Jungle Mix and then placed Bed-a-Beast on top of that. I added river rock around the plants and around the sides of the terrarium for added support and decoration.
You really want to take your plants out of the pots because they take up a lot of room. I washed all the dirt off the roots before I added them to the terrarium just in case of fertilizers.
Your Crestie needs a tall enclosure rather than wide, It is really easy to make a screen door for a 33 gal or larger (Putting them on their end gives a nice tall cheap enclosure). You can usually pick them up really cheap in a bargain finder or the classifieds.
I can give a link to another forum that shows a pic and tells how you make the door. I don't think I can post the link here though If you would like you can pm me and I will give it to you.
I hope this helps!

Well, I took the plunge and "naturalized" the anole tank. They haven't told me if they like it yet or now, but the humans of the household are loving it. It looks so much cleaner and more natural. Beats paper towels and plastic vines. That Bed-a-Beast stuff is wonderful. Smells so nice too. Will do the same for the crested in another month or so, want to get a taller tank first. Wish I had done this a year ago!!

Will post some pictures soon. Thanks everyone for your help!

__________________
1.2.0 Green Anoles ("Gillespie, Billie, Lena")
0.1.0 Crested gecko ("Betty")
1.0.0 Rosy Boa ("Boomer", we're assuming he's male for now)

Sounds great!

__________________
+5 bonus points to whoever finds me a job!

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield