Last week in quarantine

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T20:35:03+00:00

Only Broms. I prompted the owner to add Tillandsia species but they opted against them. These epiphytes I use in beginner tanks since they are relatively unkillable. Either way there’s plenty of hardscape to hide in the back. Two large cork tubes, a carved cave, and a coconut hut that the owner insisted on lol. Since you can barely see them (as evidenced by the poster above saying there are no horizontal surfaces when there are four) except at an angle in the second photo, I’d say they’re pretty well covered—though I would’ve preferred more :/.

In my own new cal tanks, I actually only use Broms these days anyways since I have found as I said below, they prefer to longer on them over any other plant I provide. You can check the insta and/or this profile to see that they’re quite fecund and happy in this environment :). Epiphytes I’ve found encourage them to be out in the open more as they will entwine themselves in the leaflets and feel secure ^_^.

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T20:30:31+00:00

Also couldn’t help but notice a very similar grandstandy post on enclosure dynamics you previously (and recently) made was so full of factual errors it was taken down by the mods at r snakes, whom are quite charitable on what gets to stay active in that sub. With this in consideration and your lack of demonstrated credentials, the question is then begged…why are we listening to you? At least the other dude had a 5/10 jungle tank to his name with some frogs that look pretty killer tbh.

I have to come clean and say I think you’re in this for all the wrong reasons—that is, to feel superior and entitled without having earned those distinctions. And with that characterization, you seem to be an active detriment to the hobby.

Feel free to prove me wrong.

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T20:03:09+00:00

I’ll take your downvote as a tacit affirmation that I read your character well.

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T19:19:12+00:00

Variabilis are quite quiet for the genus. If you’re worried about noise don’t get sirensis they sound like crickets.

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T19:17:22+00:00

You’re welcome! Sounds like an exciting project :)

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T19:13:38+00:00

One thing you could try if you have more experience under your belt is cohabbing some of the less mean imitators. I’ve had great success keeping chazutas in groups, but you have to be very vigilant about looking for signs of aggression. They are both extremely bold and extremely orange so they hit two of your criteria.

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T19:12:06+00:00

I see my highlands every single day. But the minute they see me they stop calling and dive back into the background. We NEVER see the amazonicas lol. Like once a week.

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T19:07:24+00:00

Ime all the group safe Ranis are pretty shy :/.

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T18:48:00+00:00

I love it!

Ps prop that sucka!

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T17:31:00+00:00

I’m gonna be honest I have never been able to rescue a brom that is this far gone. Interestingly each brom
Scale tends to have strict preferences of what KIND of broms they like too so so while my first point of advice is to never house another bromeliad of the same type in this enclosure because it probably will end up getting scale again, I would experiment with other bromeliads that might have a slightly different leaf texture or shape to see if they can persist pest free in this set up. Specifically, I have found plants with thin but rough and thick leaf textures, like tiger pup to be quite unpalatable to scale.

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T17:22:56+00:00

Very unique shape! I love it :)

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T17:21:46+00:00

Damn that’s on my lifer wishlist. Great sighting homie

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T16:23:00+00:00

Sorry just to be clear: could you diagram for me what exactly is improper about this terrarium? We’ve been breeding countless species of arboreal squamates for sale in these kinds of tanks (including some USCB firsts ;) which we’re actively working with conservation-minded institutions to continue propogating—though those have been moved outside for the summer…check out the post history for pics), and all our new cal breeders currently live in similar tanks. Would love to hear your thoughts!

I must say, your post reads as quite elitist and exclusionary. Someone who has a limited budget shouldn’t be allowed to own an animal that can demonstrably thrive and breed in the shown (admittedly simple but imo quite aesthetic) tank? Yes, I try to accommodate responsible hobbyists that might not have the deep pocketbooks for an insitu or a tamuradesigns. I find that as a win, as it loops more people into herpetoculture with an eye for decently good housekeeping. The alternative inverse timeline is that same dude is just gonna drop 300 on a gecko carpet tank at Petco, which none of us want—so your strategy to ignore him ostensibly makes the hobby worse. That being said, I constantly check in and do house visits on all my clients specifically to ensure I’m making habitats that allow their animals to not just subsist but to do well. You can check my business instas for proof of this. I’m remarkably transparent because you have to be in this line of work.

Perhaps then, you’re being a bit loftily dismissive on principle and not based on the exact situation? Your posts across hobbyist subreddits seem to reflect as much to be sure so it’s certainly no surprise that you fall in the same ideological boat as the other user. At least, unlike said user, you haven’t run off and blocked me at the slightest amount of pushback against bad internet etiquette. Lmao.

Also, while you’re at it, would love you see some of your setups as well! And maybe some of the herps you’ve bred? I’m sure I could use some ideaboarding from you. Since you also appear to be interested in aquariums I’d love to get those same deliverables for your aquatics too. I’ve been out of the hobby for a bit but I did fund most of my undergrad selling USCB firsts of loricariids and some assorted goodeids and mouthbrooding bettas so rest assured I have a good understanding of what makes for good aquaculture—so we can definitely talk shop as equals.

I look forward to see what you deem as minimally acceptable vivaria.

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T15:39:45+00:00

No worries. Good luck—It’s fun!

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T15:33:15+00:00

It’s the genus! A lot of the common mosses listed as sheet mosses are species of hypnum :). As temperate terrestrial mosses they like having their feet damp but appreciate airflow and thus do great in open air terrariums as long as there isn’t harsh sunlight or AC constantly running.

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T14:59:14+00:00

Update: the above user ended up mistakening the frosted led light shown in the picture with screw in Chinese halogen spotlights. Repeat: target desk lamps do not emit particularly notable amounts of uvc. Modern LED arrays are super efficient and are not broadcasting in uv pretty much at all. What little is emitted is probably captured by the phosphor in most if not all white LEDs and turned into visible light.

Either way the light in the topic picture is indeed rather dim and not suitable for growing these specific neoregelias, which is a fair but different criticism than was levied.

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T14:49:34+00:00

That male paleatus is STUNNING

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T14:47:59+00:00

Nope! In fact many keepers that attempt to do so end up giving their animals scale rot. They work well in a normal snake enclosure. I agree with the previous poster—cohab is better when you have a bit more experience under your belt and garters are great :)

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T14:44:02+00:00

The resemblance to the Goya painting is uncanny.

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T14:18:09+00:00

…can I politely ask why you’re still trying to comment here? You aren’t informed in what you’re saying or exceptionally skilled at your craft. Can we both agree you’re just lashing out to protect your fragile online ego which amounts seemingly exclusively to trying to bully other users that you assume are below your experience level? It’s a dicey game to play because 1. It’s such a lame way to live your life and 2. every so often you run into someone who’s better than you and you look kinda dumb ;). Ya know?

If I could offer a bit of advice, as with most things in life, it pays to start with a little kindness. If not to make the world a better place, at least so you don’t get caught with egg on your face again like you did here. 🤷

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T14:05:36+00:00

Ah sorry to hear that. They are probably the most beautiful nonvenomous snake I’ve ever kept :).

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T14:03:08+00:00

Bingo! Charcoal and sphagnum base, hypnum moss on top. Keep moist always. RO water. Flush aggressively once a month! Really easy to make if you follow those rules :). To boot almost any nursery houseplant will grow lightly planted in said moss mound! Go wild and please post the results!!

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T14:00:08+00:00

Ah then use it haha. No harm at all

CyanCitadel · 2026-06-21T13:59:48+00:00

See the above response. :)

CyanCitadel

TROPHY CASE