Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Substrate is completely a personal choice. Lots of folks swear by coco coir. I hate the stuff! You have to try the different kinds and choose what works for you and your tortoise. I know it's costly to fill up your habitat with a certain type of substrate only to find out you (or your tortoise) don't like it. We're here to give you choices and ideas. What works for me may not work for you. But the choice is yours.
Let's take coco coir as an example (because I don't like it). So many of our members really love the stuff. How would it be if I took that choice away from new members by coming out and bad mouthing it all the time...advising folks not to use that awful stuff. Isn't it better that I just say I tried it and don't like it, but other members swear by it. This gives the new member the option of choice. Try it and see if you like it or not. I think that's all we're saying. You don't like orchid bark, and that's fine. let it go at that.
Let's take coco coir as an example (because I don't like it). So many of our members really love the stuff. How would it be if I took that choice away from new members by coming out and bad mouthing it all the time...advising folks not to use that awful stuff. Isn't it better that I just say I tried it and don't like it, but other members swear by it. This gives the new member the option of choice. Try it and see if you like it or not. I think that's all we're saying. You don't like orchid bark, and that's fine. let it go at that.