Kylee L.
Well-Known Member
Mikeys enclosure is built!!! Now to fill it I have a bag of Eco earth, is any substrate better than another? ive read no sand and possibly just plain top soil....
awesome! that's what I got I've read the same about it that it's safe and stays clean. I have a friend with reptiles and she said she's tried some of the bark products and had trouble with bugs... so not doing that lolI had such trouble with this when I was new...I mean I was sweating this question, some are harmful, some even fatal. To this day I use coco coir with no issues. It is digestible, is not ungodly muddy like top soil when wet (messy still but not bad) and it lasts a LONG time if kept clean. Cost is about 20 bucks for a big brick on ebay. You can expect to need 2 of those for the minimum 4x8 enclosure because it needs to be a good 4 inches deep. I would say replace every 6 months, every 3 if you have trouble keeping it clean.
Keep it moist but not soaking wet. Don't let it get so bone dry it gets dusty.
Repti/fir bark is great and they love to dig in it, but the repti brand is very expensive to try and fill a 4x8.
I prefer coco coir for baby Testudo, but find it too messy for adults. I switch to orchid bark once they get to around 3.5-4 inches.awesome! that's what I got I've read the same about it that it's safe and stays clean. I have a friend with reptiles and she said she's tried some of the bark products and had trouble with bugs... so not doing that lol
is that for an indoor enclosure as well??I prefer coco coir for baby Testudo, but find it too messy for adults. I switch to orchid bark once they get to around 3.5-4 inches.
The "bugs" come from the surrounding environment and colonize our tortoise enclosures because they are warm and damp. These "bugs" will show up no matter what substrate you use. They are harmless detrivores and I just ignore them.
Indoors. Outdoors I just use the ground. Unless I'm using a tub or kiddie pool or something like that for babies. In that case it would be the same substrate choice as indoors.is that for an indoor enclosure as well??
ok, he will be indoors for the most partIndoors. Outdoors I just use the ground. Unless I'm using a tub or kiddie pool or something like that for babies. In that case it would be the same substrate choice as indoors.
How do you afford that? Just a rough guess on the repti brand is pushing a hundred bucks...coco coir is the only affordable substrate I can find. Lowes and Home Depot basically look at me like I'm speaking a different language when I ask for it.I use cypress mulch and orchid bark for my Russian and my redfoot....
Jamie
Lowes and Home Depot basically look at me like I'm speaking a different language when I ask for it.
How do you afford that? Just a rough guess on the repti brand is pushing a hundred bucks...coco coir is the only affordable substrate I can find. Lowes and Home Depot basically look at me like I'm speaking a different language when I ask for it.
Cypress mulch can be found in your part of the world for $3 for a 2.0 cu. ft. bag. The same size bag of orchid bark out here costs about $11. You are looking in the wrong places. Stay out of the pet shop.How do you afford that? Just a rough guess on the repti brand is pushing a hundred bucks...coco coir is the only affordable substrate I can find. Lowes and Home Depot basically look at me like I'm speaking a different language when I ask for it.
I know that this thing about substrates was discussed a lot of times, but still i want to be sure, before choosing the right one. Here are some of them:
1. http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/plantation_soil.php
2. https://www.trixie.de/heimtierbedarf/en/shop/Reptile/TerrariumEquipment/Substrates/?card=26742
3. https://www.trixie.de/heimtierbedarf/en/shop/Reptile/TerrariumEquipment/Substrates/?card=203027
4. https://www.trixie.de/heimtierbedarf/en/shop/Reptile/TerrariumEquipment/Substrates/?card=26739
First of all, for me is my tortoise SAFETY. I mean, if he tries to eat substrate, which of these are digestible and won't make any harm to him?
Second, which of these will help easily maintain required humidity? Thank you for your help.
The exo terra product you linked is fir bark. That is the best stuff to use, but buying it from a pet shop will be stupidly expensive. You can get it in bulk at garden centers, much cheaper.Thanks for reply, and sorry, i forgot to mention. Russian tortoise, adult, about 6 inches. Ok, i think orchid bark is the same as this forest bark
http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/forest-bark.php
am i right? if so, then maybe i could try it, but i'm afraid that my tortoise gonna swallow it and then there will be big problems.
The exo terra product you linked is fir bark. That is the best stuff to use, but buying it from a pet shop will be stupidly expensive. You can get it in bulk at garden centers, much cheaper.
Cypress mulch can be found in your part of the world for $3 for a 2.0 cu. ft. bag. The same size bag of orchid bark out here costs about $11. You are looking in the wrong places. Stay out of the pet shop.