Does anyone know the best place to order sphagnum moss in bulk? I'm working on my new table and will need lots and lots of substrate SOON!
Any suggestions?
Personally, I wouldn't use sphagnum moss as the substrate for a whole enclosure. I've used it in the past inside a hiding place to provide humidity, but I much prefer the small grade orchid bark for the whole enclosure. If you're bound and determined, you can buy it in large dehydrated blocks at any garden store and most big box home improvement stores in the garden section.
Torts eat the long fibered sphagnum moss and it can cause impaction. The dirt like sphagnum moss causes carapace damage. Neither should be used in a tortoise enclosure.
Fine grade orchid bark can be found in bulk at garden centers. Not hardware store with a garden section, but actual plant nurseries. I get 2.0 cubic foot bags for $11 here at two different nurseries.
My Redfoot also eat moss.
I also use Orchid bark. It's more expensive, but lasts a long time if you spot clean it and not change it all out regularly.
Orchid bark also seems to hold moisture better without being soaking wet.
I plan to have moss and bark in the upper, partially covered, top table section. Plus an enclosed lower level. There will be sliding plexiglass doors on the front.
What substrate would be ideal for my enclosed lower level to my tortoise table?