Mixing?

[BearTheTurtle]

Is it okay if I mix eco earth with a little bit of peat moss for substrate for my three toed box turtle? This is the peat moss I want to use with the zoo med eco earth. Thank you!

 

[jaizei]

Why? What benefit are you trying to get? Eco earth (coir) is usually used as a substitute for sphagnum peat moss.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I think the trouble with peat moss is something to do with the ph, but wait for some more experienced folks to chime in

 

[Markw84]

Peat moss, or sphagnum peat moss is not a good substrate at all for tortoises. It is way too acidic and will cause plastron problems.

 

[BearTheTurtle]

I’m trying to make it a bit cheaper. Maybe I should just use eco earth tough.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I’m trying to make it a bit cheaper. Maybe I should just use eco earth tough.

Yeah I’d just stick to that

 

[jaizei]

I’m trying to make it a bit cheaper. Maybe I should just use eco earth tough.

The 5kg blocks of coir are usually cheaper than eco earth. just give it a once over after rehydrating it to make sure theres no plastic in it.

 

[BearTheTurtle]

Okay! I will stick to the eco earth! Thanks

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Okay! I will stick to the eco earth! Thanks

Look for the coco coir bricks in the gardening stores or plant nurseries. They can be magnitude cheaper per liter than Eco Earth.

As a downside, they can be harder to rehydrate. But not that much if you hit them with a hammer (for example) to create some cracks in the brick and then rehydrate in hot water.

 

[BearTheTurtle]

Look for the coco coir bricks in the gardening stores or plant nurseries. They can be magnitude cheaper per liter than Eco Earth.

As a downside, they can be harder to rehydrate. But not that much if you hit them with a hammer (for example) to create some cracks in the brick and then rehydrate in hot water.

Thanks!

 

[BearTheTurtle]

Do you think it would be fine if I mixed these 2?

 

[jaizei]

Do you think it would be fine if I mixed these 2? View attachment 373854View attachment 373855

Miracle gro anything usually contains some sort of fertilizer. What are you trying to accomplish with the mix? If you're trying for something like a bioactive substrate, or to grow plants in the substrate, something similar to an ABG mix is usually used.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Never use any kind of soils unless you’ve composted them yourself safely, the trouble with organic soils is there’s no knowing what kind of plants have go into it, could be something toxic

 

[BearTheTurtle]

Thanks!

 

[Tom]

Do you think it would be fine if I mixed these 2? View attachment 373854View attachment 373855

No. Not safe. Plain coco coir or orchid bark is best.

You can order 10 pound blocks of coco coir online and have it delivered to your door. I get them at my local nurseries too, as Alex suggested. I lay them flat in a large plastic tub, dump 2 or 3 gallons of water on them and let them rehydrate over night.

 

[BearTheTurtle]

No. Not safe. Plain coco coir or orchid bark is best.

You can order 10 pound blocks of coco coir online and have it delivered to your door. I get them at my local nurseries too, as Alex suggested. I lay them flat in a large plastic tub, dump 2 or 3 gallons of water on them and let them rehydrate over night.

Do you think one of the 10 gallon bricks would fill my 40 gallon long tank?

 

[Tom]

Do you think one of the 10 gallon bricks would fill my 40 gallon long tank?

Oh yes. Half of one would be plenty for a 40. I used to get the 10 pound blocks for $11 at my local nurseries. Now I get it online and the price is up to around $20, but one block goes a long way.

Hand pack it firmly to make it easier for him to walk on it. He will still be able to easily dig in to it if he wants to. Make about an eight inch thick fluffy layer, and then spend a few minutes packing it down firmly and flattening it. You'll end up with two or three inches. Keep it damp by periodically dumping water into it, as needed. Don't let it dry out.

 

[BearTheTurtle]

Thanks