Hello Tortoise Forum!
I've spent a lot of time lately researching bioactive and planted indoor tortoise enclosures. I'd like to create one of my own for my 4 month old redfoot. I have found a great deal of conflicting information, and I was hoping I could get some input from those of you who have some experience with these enclosures. Here are my plans so far, and I welcome any and all advice or recommendations for the best way to proceed.
Thanks in advance for your help!!
I've spent a lot of time lately researching bioactive and planted indoor tortoise enclosures. I'd like to create one of my own for my 4 month old redfoot. I have found a great deal of conflicting information, and I was hoping I could get some input from those of you who have some experience with these enclosures. Here are my plans so far, and I welcome any and all advice or recommendations for the best way to proceed.
- I have a giant plastic storage container that is about 16 inches deep
- I plan to put a layer of lava rock for drainage in the very bottom
- Next, a layer of active charcoal
- I've read conflicting opinions on this. Is it necessary and what function does it serve?
- Then a layer of topsoil
- This is where I could really use some help. What type of topsoil do people recommend? I found this organic raised bed soil at home depot, will it work?
- I've also read that some people mix the topsoil with sand, does anyone recommend this? I haven't included it yet as I've read there's a risk for impaction if ingested.
- Next layer is this sphagnum peat moss
- Should I also mix this with cypress mulch or is just the peat moss fine?
- I will purchase some isopods to serve as a trusty clean up crew
- I have a bromeliad, spider plant, polka dot plant, and pothos which I will plant directly in the substrate, and then likely move to pots once my tort gets a little bit bigger and turns into a trampler.
- after I got the pothos plant I read some conflicting reports. Safe or not?
- I also have cat grass and wheat grass seeds which I will plant in the top layer of soil
- What is the best method for watering? Injecting via tube down to the bottom of the tub? How can the water level be measured down there?
Thanks in advance for your help!!