Is this normal?

[lucky_tortoise]

When I first got my russian tortoise in September, I bought few bricks of coco coir and as instructions said I soaked them into water. After two days I noticed white stuff on it(algae or fungus not sure)

I

I replaced it right away.i use reptile bark now but after reading so many forums on substrate I believe coco coir is best for tortoises. Please look at the picture and help me understand if this is normal and I should not worry?



Thank you
Nick

 

[StarSapphire22]

Not normal, no. Not unheard of, but not normal.

Was the substrate pure coir?

 

[SunnySideUp]

That doesn't look normal to me. Did you mix the coco coir with anything else? Or is it 100% coco coir?

 

[StarSapphire22]

It looks like there's a pellet type bedding mixed in, which is notorious for molding when wet.

 

[SunnySideUp]

That's what I was thinking because I thought I heard coco coir was very mold resistant. Lucky_tortoise, if this is the case, I would suggest that you scrap the pellet bedding and instead mix the coco coir with some organic top soil. That should be much less prone to molding

 

[StarSapphire22]

Sphagnum moss is acidic and should help prevent mold as well.

 

[Tom]

It looks to me like there are some rabbit pellets, or something similar, mixed in. That would be the source of the problem.


Also, those water bowls are literal tortoise death traps. I would remove it right away and replace it with a terra cotta plant saucer sunk into the substrate. These only cost a couple bucks and any hardware or garden store.

Those ramped bowls are great for lizards and snakes if you have any of those.

 

[lucky_tortoise]

Tom, these pictures are old. I don't use this water dish, replaced it with terra cotta.

Since I am building his new enclosure I wanted to make sure that he gets what's best for him. Thanks for your input.