Ordering Redfoot Substrate Online

[Champagne21]

I'm looking for the perfect substrate for my Redfoots enclosure that I can order online, does anyone have a good idea of where to look or if not what I should be looking for around town?

 

[Ryancmo7]

I personally got two bulk packs of Aspen bedding from Petco, reasonably priced in my opinion. I use it for my two red foots.

 

[Beck]

I use plain top soil from Walmart ($2 for .75 cubic feet), and Mosser Lee sphagnum moss from Home Depot ($3 for 7L). Some use coco coir but I don't know prices. What stores are local for you? Places other than pet stores typically have options for substrate at cheaper prices (ie, at my petsmart moss costs more than four times as much).

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[Yvonne G]

Aspen bedding is not good for Redfooted tortoises, which have to be kept on a moist substrate. If you moisten aspen it will mold.

It usually is not a good idea to buy substrate online. Because of the weight of it, the shipping would be very high.

Go to a home improvement store and buy it there. Mark (madkinns007) has said before that any hardwood mulch would be ok to use. Lots of members just use soil, either potting soil or dirt from your yard.

I like orchid bark. Any plant nursery sells it.

 

[theelectraco]

I personally got two bulk packs of Aspen bedding from Petco, reasonably priced in my opinion. I use it for my two red foots.

What Yvonne said. Aspen is not appropriate for Redfoots.


0.1.0 Dachshund
0.0.1 Redfoot
1.0.0 Greek

 

[mike taylor]

If you use yard dirt freezing it over night will kill any harmful pest. I use dirt and a mix of cypress mulch. Works well and holds humidity awesome .

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[Ryancmo7]

I personally got two bulk packs of Aspen bedding from Petco, reasonably priced in my opinion. I use it for my two red foots.

What Yvonne said. Aspen is not appropriate for Redfoots.


0.1.0 Dachshund
0.0.1 Redfoot
1.0.0 Greek

I suppose maybe a mixture then? Since I've already had the aspen laid out for so long (and more to spare). I find it odd though, this forum is where I got the idea in the first place.

 

[theelectraco]

I have never seen anyone recommend aspen for any tortoise let alone Redfoots. I wouldn't do even a mixture with it. I do a coco coir and cypress mulch mixture and have been very happy with it.


0.1.0 Dachshund
0.0.1 Redfoot
1.0.0 Greek

 

[FLINTUS]

Aspen can also cause fires easily.

 

[jaizei]

If you use yard dirt freezing it over night will kill any harmful pest. I use dirt and a mix of cypress mulch. Works well and holds humidity awesome .

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What pests are you targeting by freezing?

 

[mike taylor]

Well any wood and heat lamps can make a fire . Thats why you have to be careful with all lighting . Red footed tortoises need humidity. Dirt,coco chore ,cypress are all great for this with no harmful mold . But you have to keep the top of the substrate dry . So thats why I use the dirt and cypress. The cypress stays dry but the dirt is holding in humidity and the tortoise can dig down to get more humidity.

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[Yvonne G]

Quite a few people who keep the Mediterranean species will use aspen bedding. But I don't know of any who use it for redfooted.

 

[zenoandthetortoise]

If you access to Zoo med products, their 'repti-bark' is fir bark, which is the same thing that is sold as orchid bark. Probably more expensive but may be easier to find. I use it as the top substrate layer for my redfoot