Thanks for the info Ihave read everything here already. I use cypress for my red foots, just wanted other opinions. The guy I got them from used rabbit pellets, but I dont really like to use them.
Please never use rabbit pellets. They hold no humidity, and they are hard for the tortoises to walk on. It can create muscle, bone, and joint problems and deformities.
Cypress mulch is probably the most used substrate, along with coconut coir, and orchid bark.
i would never use rabbit pellets myself. i think he used them because he fed right on them. iguess to lazy to wash a bowl. He said they also ate them. i feed spring mix,cactus,dandelions ,and other weeds. Ialso give some cactus flowers. they are in a packer right now as i am quarinteening them in my bedroom away from other tortoises. will build them a larger house when they are out of quariteen. i have room for a 3by7 cage. it will have rock hides and be much better than now.
since i got my pancakes several months ago, i've used eco earth - keeping it moist but not damp. i built my pancakes a rock shelter so they never sleep on the coir (a tip i picked up from the world chelonian trust website).
Every site I've found information on says the opposite of another...but from what I've gathered the eco earth and sand combo works the best (and safest for your tortoises). I've had mine for over a year with no issues. Feel free to fire off any more questions you might have and good luck!