New enclosure advice

[Alex and the Redfoot]

That's a good catch with his old hide. If you have some other old decor to put in the new viv - this will also help him to settle.

Please keep us updated!

 

[cpl1307]

That's a good catch with his old hide. If you have some other old decor to put in the new viv - this will also help him to settle.

Please keep us updated!

I've just quite a few things in from it now. It honestly instantly settled him. Don't worry, I will definitely keep you updated . Thank you again for your help. I'd be lost!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

. However, unless you have a large enough enclosure breaking this habit is barely possible.

And even then it takes time... My rescue Russian tortoise was used to being picked up every time he made a fuss in the enclosure scratching the walls...

 

[cpl1307]

Update- ive just received 75 litres of orchid bark. 50 litres are immaculate, but 25 of it is infested with small white insects and flys. It states its for Tortoises. What are your suggestions on this. Return and buy more or will it be ok to use?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Update- ive just received 75 litres of orchid bark. 50 litres are immaculate, but 25 of it is infested with small white insects and flys. It states its for Tortoises. What are your suggestions on this. Return and buy more or will it be ok to use?

You can bake it in the oven to get rid of bugs. These are, likely, fungus gnats (harmless, annoying) and springtails (harmless, useful little janitors).

 

[cpl1307]

You can bake it in the oven to get rid of bugs. These are, likely, fungus gnats (harmless, annoying) and springtails (harmless, useful little janitors).

Ive got 3 separate brands. 1 x propep which is quite fine, but not cause for concern fine, then ive got 20 litres of premium coarse bark and then ive got 25 litres of heat and steam treated bark, which is quite like mulch and wet. Which would you have as the top layer.
First picture is the coarse bark, 2nd is fine grade bark and 3rd picture is the mulch like bark. What do you think? For comfort

 

[cpl1307]

Ive got 3 separate brands. 1 x propep which is quite fine, but not cause for concern fine, then ive got 20 litres of premium coarse bark and then ive got 25 litres of heat and steam treated bark, which is quite like mulch and wet. Which would you have as the top layer.
First picture is the coarse bark, 2nd is fine grade bark and 3rd picture is the mulch like bark. What do you think? For comfort

Or should I just mix all 3. I sound silly I know, but I'm not messing this up this time. The sand with limestone has gone THANK GOD, He has scracted the glass with the limestone, plus i was worried he was going to eat the limestone. It has been the worst substrate I have ever had and today has been the first day he was settled, now he's going to have to start all over again. I will place everything the same, but I have some painted nettles ive grown myself that are really bushy and 2 different varieties. They look stunning. Im going to fill his bed with coco coir to sleep in because he liked that in his old bed, but i can't fill the tank with it because as much as ive sealed it, I know it will rot the wood again. The softer bark is gonna be good for holding moisture.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Ive got 3 separate brands. 1 x propep which is quite fine, but not cause for concern fine, then ive got 20 litres of premium coarse bark and then ive got 25 litres of heat and steam treated bark, which is quite like mulch and wet. Which would you have as the top layer.
First picture is the coarse bark, 2nd is fine grade bark and 3rd picture is the mulch like bark. What do you think? For comfort

I think you’ll be fine mixing them all! And like Alex suggested you can try cleaning the stuff that seems particularly ‘buggy’ lol

 

[cpl1307]

I think you’ll be fine mixing them all! And like Alex suggested you can try cleaning the stuff that seems particularly ‘buggy’ lol

Thank you. I'm getting there! It's only been 6 hours of cleaning the sand off!!

 

[cpl1307]

Or should I just mix all 3. I sound silly I know, but I'm not messing this up this time. The sand with limestone has gone THANK GOD, He has scracted the glass with the limestone, plus i was worried he was going to eat the limestone. It has been the worst substrate I have ever had and today has been the first day he was settled, now he's going to have to start all over again. I will place everything the same, but I have some painted nettles ive grown myself that are really bushy and 2 different varieties. They look stunning. Im going to fill his bed with coco coir to sleep in because he liked that in his old bed, but i can't fill the tank with it because as much as ive sealed it, I know it will rot the wood again. The softer bark is gonna be good for holding moisture.

Its in. Ive got loads left. Infact all full untouched bag.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Its in. Ive got loads left. Infact all full untouched bag.

Fab!if you do get a springtail boom, don’t panic, keep turning the substrate over, they start to die off eventually and numbers will even out, we went through it with ours

 

[cpl1307]

Fab!if you do get a springtail boom, don’t panic, keep turning the substrate over, they start to die off eventually and numbers will even out, we went through it with ours

Thank you . It looks really good now I've got some painted nettle plants in "Home grown", I'm overrun with them now