Bedding

[LittleLove]

Hello, and good morning. It's me again . How much coco coir and orchard bark will I need for my 8ft. By 4 ft. For Fred's house.. also I Have a couple of screenshots of the substrate. I know you folks have it all over this site. But I want to make sure.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hello, and good morning. It's me again . How much coco coir and orchard bark will I need for my 8ft. By 4 ft. For Fred's house.. also I Have a couple of screenshots of the substrate. I know you folks have it all over this site. But I want to make sure.

You want soil like coco coir, not coco chips. They are too fibery. You will get them cheaper if you buy bricks that you expand yourself.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Look for something like this instead:

 

[LittleLove]

Thank you The_Four_Toed_Edward, I have the coco coir already I. Didn't know if the coco chips were OK to mix with the coco coir. What about the zilla substrate ( the other picture) also how much of the bark will I need for my 8ft by 4ft

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello!
Coconut chips are not the same as coco coir (coco peat). You need soil-like substrate (often sold pressed in bricks). Zilla bark is 100% fir bark so it's fine to use

You need around 80 quarts or 75 liters to make a 1 inch thick layer of substrate.

 

[Maggie3fan]

For Sulcata I prefer small grade orchid bark...I buy it at a nursery or big box store...I have tried everything and orchid bark is the cheapest and best...

 

[Tom]

Hello, and good morning. It's me again . How much coco coir and orchard bark will I need for my 8ft. By 4 ft. For Fred's house.. also I Have a couple of screenshots of the substrate. I know you folks have it all over this site. But I want to make sure.

As Edward pointed out, you don't want chips.

I would not recommend coir either because it is too messy. You want fine orchid bark. You'll need two 2 cu. ft. bags for a 4x8 foot enclosure. We are talking about an indoor closed chamber, right?

It will be cheapest to buy at a nursery. Not a chain hardware store, but a nursery. I use this brand, and maybe you can find it there or order it:


I should bring some in November to the TTPG...

 

[LittleLove]

As Edward pointed out, you don't want chips.

I would not recommend coir either because it is too messy. You want fine orchid bark. You'll need two 2 cu. ft. bags for a 4x8 foot enclosure. We are talking about an indoor closed chamber, right?

It will be cheapest to buy at a nursery. Not a chain hardware store, but a nursery. I use this brand, and maybe you can find it there or order it:
View attachment 390089

I should bring some in November to the TTPG...

Thank you Tom greatly appreciate it.
And it's for an outdoor enclosure

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Thank you Tom greatly appreciate it.
And it's for an outdoor enclosure

Is there a reason you can't use the native ground?

 

[LittleLove]

Is there a reason you can't use the native ground?

I heard that it was to messy

 

[LittleLove]

As Edward pointed out, you don't want chips.

I would not recommend coir either because it is too messy. You want fine orchid bark. You'll need two 2 cu. ft. bags for a 4x8 foot enclosure. We are talking about an indoor closed chamber, right?

It will be cheapest to buy at a nursery. Not a chain hardware store, but a nursery. I use this brand, and maybe you can find it there or order it:
View attachment 390089

I should bring some in November to the TTPG...

Tom do you order it from an online nursery. I didn't see anywhere in Az

 

[Tom]

Tom do you order it from an online nursery. I didn't see anywhere in Az

I buy it at a local nursery here in CA.

You don't need substrate in an outdoor enclosure. The native dirt is not too messy. That is all I use for my outdoor enclosures.

 

[LittleLove]

I buy it at a local nursery here in CA.

You don't need substrate in an outdoor enclosure. The native dirt is not too messy. That is all I use for my outdoor enclosures.

So even if my outdoor enclosure isnt on grass or dirt??
Also can you please give me a link or point me on the right direction on how to make a box for when it is cold etc.

 

[LittleLove]

So even if my outdoor enclosure isnt on grass or dirt??
Also can you please give me a link or point me on the right direction on how to make a box for when it is cold etc.

I am afraid that Fred will dig to deep so that's why I didn't put it in the dirt

 

[Tom]

So even if my outdoor enclosure isnt on grass or dirt??
Also can you please give me a link or point me on the right direction on how to make a box for when it is cold etc.

The enclosure needs to be on grass or dirt. If its not on grass or dirt, what is it on?

Here are the night box threads:

Single Tortoise Night Box

I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...

tortoiseforum.org

Double Door Night Box

As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...

tortoiseforum.org

Digging a deep burrow is what you want for summer time where you are. Then in fall, cover the burrow entrance and make the tortoise sleep in the heated night box over fall and winter. Close the door and latch it shut every night, and open it up every morning. Underground is best from about June through October. I catch them above ground and cover the burrow entrance with a sheet of plywood around the end of October or early November when we have our first cold spells. Then I wait for a hot spell in June and remove the plywood so the tortoise can access the burrow again and use it all summer.

 

[LittleLove]

The enclosure needs to be on grass or dirt. If its not on grass or dirt, what is it on?

Here are the night box threads:

Single Tortoise Night Box

I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...

tortoiseforum.org

Double Door Night Box

As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...

tortoiseforum.org

Digging a deep burrow is what you want for summer time where you are. Then in fall, cover the burrow entrance and make the tortoise sleep in the heated night box over fall and winter. Close the door and latch it shut every night, and open it up every morning. Underground is best from about June through October. I catch them above ground and cover the burrow entrance with a sheet of plywood around the end of October or early November when we have our first cold spells. Then I wait for a hot spell in June and remove the plywood so the tortoise can access the burrow again and use it all summer.

Thank you for all that info. That's great. Thanks again Tom

 

[LittleLove]

The enclosure needs to be on grass or dirt. If its not on grass or dirt, what is it on?

Here are the night box threads:

Single Tortoise Night Box

I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...

tortoiseforum.org

Double Door Night Box

As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...

tortoiseforum.org

Digging a deep burrow is what you want for summer time where you are. Then in fall, cover the burrow entrance and make the tortoise sleep in the heated night box over fall and winter. Close the door and latch it shut every night, and open it up every morning. Underground is best from about June through October. I catch them above ground and cover the burrow entrance with a sheet of plywood around the end of October or early November when we have our first cold spells. Then I wait for a hot spell in June and remove the plywood so the tortoise can access the burrow again and use it all summer.

What I am afraid of is Fred digging too deep.

 

[Tom]

What I am afraid of is Fred digging too deep.

There is no such thing. My burrows were over 20 feet deep. What is too deep for you? What would make a burrow "too deep"? When its 118 above ground in summer, a deep burrow is just what Fred needs to remain safe and comfortable.

Its really pretty neat in a climate like yours and mine to see them digging their own burrows and behaving and living more "naturally".

 

[LittleLove]

There is no such thing. My burrows were over 20 feet deep. What is too deep for you? What would make a burrow "too deep"? When its 118 above ground in summer, a deep burrow is just what Fred needs to remain safe and comfortable.

Its really pretty neat in a climate like yours and mine to see them digging their own burrows and behaving and living more "naturally".

OK. Well then I am going to do that. Thanks Tom that makes me feel better about it. Last thing. Do I still need a heat box. Or do I bring him in at night.

 

[LittleLove]

OK. Well then I am going to do that. Thanks Tom that makes me feel better about it. Last thing. Do I still need a heat box. Or do I bring him in at night.

Ok so I don't need anything to put over the dirt