Best Hermann substrate to use

[OCG_Fusion]

Hi there I owned a hermann tortoise for around 14 years and I’m bit confused since I owned her she always been on grass pellets i did try her on top soil like I was suggested by someone from a Facebook group but she wasn’t happy and wouldn’t move anywhere.
just need some help with what is probably best to use the grass pellets seem ok but the dust they give out and leave is not fun.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Welcome to the forum! Yes, grass pellets are dusty, and can get moldy too. There are three recommended substrates, coco coir, orchird fir bark and cypress mulch. @Littleredfootbigredheart can probably guide you on what is the best substrate in the UK.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I’d personally recommend orchid bark, it’s hard to buy in bulk these days so perhaps add some coco coir too.
Be very wary of advice from Facebook groups, top soil isn’t an appropriate substrate, lots of places are repeating wrong information, so I’d double check your set up with the links below when you get the chance.

This thread it covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, definitely double check these!), sizing(you can get away with slightly smaller indoors if you can build a larger outdoor space when weather permits), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out!

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it. I know the recommended adult size is intimidating to some, especially if you’ve been lead into thinking he’ll be fine in a smaller set up(very common) but tortoises long term health really does rely on lots of roaming room

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

This one here is probably most important to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates(explain more on why pellets and top soil isn’t appropriate), housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Here’s a link for the orchid bark(you’ll have to calculate how many bags you need)

Bark Substrates for vivariums and terrariums

Bark Substrates for vivariums and terrariums, including products from Komodo, Exo Terra and Lucky Reptile at the best prices. Lowest prices guaranteed, free delivery and next-day delivery available.

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

Here’s a link for coir

Amazon.com : Coco

Hope this all helps! Sorry it’s a lot to go over when you’ve only asked about substrate lol, but I know how bad care advice can be here

 

[OCG_Fusion]

I’d personally recommend orchid bark, it’s hard to buy in bulk these days so perhaps add some coco coir too.
Be very wary of advice from Facebook groups, top soil isn’t an appropriate substrate, lots of places are repeating wrong information, so I’d double check your set up with the links below when you get the chance.

This thread it covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, definitely double check these!), sizing(you can get away with slightly smaller indoors if you can build a larger outdoor space when weather permits), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out!

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it. I know the recommended adult size is intimidating to some, especially if you’ve been lead into thinking he’ll be fine in a smaller set up(very common) but tortoises long term health really does rely on lots of roaming room

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

This one here is probably most important to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates(explain more on why pellets and top soil isn’t appropriate), housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Here’s a link for the orchid bark(you’ll have to calculate how many bags you need)

Bark Substrates for vivariums and terrariums

Bark Substrates for vivariums and terrariums, including products from Komodo, Exo Terra and Lucky Reptile at the best prices. Lowest prices guaranteed, free delivery and next-day delivery available.

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

Here’s a link for coir

Amazon.com : Coco

Hope this all helps! Sorry it’s a lot to go over when you’ve only asked about substrate lol, but I know how bad care advice can be here

Thank you for the help abit of a silly question how do you work out how many bags i would need for a 4ftlong by 2ft wide viv she only in a viv due to having a dog in the house when she outside she got a big rabbit run that is cover that i setup for warmer days

Also how deep would i need it atm i use around 20kg of grass pellet

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you for the help abit of a silly question how do you work out how many bags i would need for a 4ftlong by 2ft wide viv she only in a viv due to having a dog in the house when she outside she got a big rabbit run that is cover that i setup for warmer days

Also how deep would i need it atm i use around 20kg of grass pellet

Usually you want 4-6" inches deep substrate, so it's 48"x24"x4" = 4608 cubic inches ~ 75 liters or 80 quarts of substrate. Standard 650 grams coir block is expands to 4-5 liters. If you go with orchid bark - it's 7-8 bags (10 liters each).

 

[OCG_Fusion]

Usually you want 4-6" inches deep substrate, so it's 48"x24"x4" = 4608 cubic inches ~ 75 liters or 80 quarts of substrate. Standard 650 grams coir block is expands to 4-5 liters. If you go with orchid bark - it's 7-8 bags (10 liters each).

Thank you for the help

How often would i change the orchid bark out?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you for the help

How often would i change the orchid bark out?

If you do daily spot cleaning, regularly bathe your tortoise so most excretions land in the bathing container - perhaps 2-3 years at minimum. It's not like cat litter that has to be changed often.

 

[Tom]

Thank you for the help abit of a silly question how do you work out how many bags i would need for a 4ftlong by 2ft wide viv she only in a viv due to having a dog in the house when she outside she got a big rabbit run that is cover that i setup for warmer days

Also how deep would i need it atm i use around 20kg of grass pellet

Your enclosure is WAY too small for an adult hermanni. Vivariums are great, contrary to what you often see recommended, but 2x4 is for starting a baby. An adult needs something around 4x8 feet (122x244 cm). Tortoises need very large enclosures compared to most other reptiles.

Please read these two threads for more helpful info, and answers to your questions:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

Questions are welcome.