Red Foot Substrates?

[Kenzi W]

Hi! I am looking to find a different substrate for my red footed tortoise. I have been using coconut fiber but it gets his food and water really dirty. I have heard topsoil and playground sand are good? I'm worried it might get into his eyes or something!
Just looking for some recommendations......
Thanks in advance!

 

[dmmj]

Sand would be even messier IMHO,

 

[dmmj]

Not to sound like a jerk, but any substrate makes a mess, I think what you are currently using is one of the best, maybe large orchid bark might be cleaner.

 

[Kenzi W]

Ok thanks

 

[HLogic]

I use cypress mulch. Cheap & easily obtainable.

 

[MikeCow1]

I use a mix of coir and cypress mulch. Still a little messy, but nothing like it was with straight coir. Been thinking about switching to orchid bark just to try it, seem kind of splintery though

 

[Kenzi W]

I used cypress mulch for the longest time because a sales person at the pet store recommended it. I had trouble keeping the humidity up with my red foot. Its great for Russians tho! I think I'm going to try orchids bark! Thanks everyone!

 

[Kenzi W]

**orchid

 

[HLogic]

Using the shredded cypress mulch has made keeping humidity constant much easier than with the chunky type. I found it at WalMart.

 

[Turtlepete]

Shredded cypress mulch is my definite favorite. Never have had issues maintaining humidity with it, in fact it's always worked better then other substrates for me.

 

[lisa127]

I use 100% organic peat moss for my box turtle. Nothing mixed into it. I like it so much better than coco coir and it's so much cheaper too.

 

[DutchieAmanda]

I heard sand can cause impaction, so it's not recommended with torts. I use coco coir myself, and yes my redfoot is always dirty I put his food on a tile, but he sometimes still drags it into the substrate... For the water bowl I bought a fake grass tile, cut a circle from the middle and put the water bowl in. Stays much cleaner that way. You could also put some rocks around it or use a plastic or wooden tile for this.
My water bowl when it was still work in progress:

 

[Kenzi W]

I think I didn't get good enough cypress mulch.
I like your idea for the water bowl @DutchieAmanda and I might try that...
Thanks everyone!!