Substrate for best humidity?

[Tom pike]

Hi I'm changing my whole enclose to a closed chamber as I was told a tortoise table would be good for my tortoise when it needs to be humid, and was wondering which substrate is best for to keep the enclosure humid? Many thanks, tom

 

[Yvonne G]

My favorite is the small grade orchid bark. It's not toxic, doesn't cause impaction and doesn't sour when over wet.

 

[lisa127]

I use 100% organic peat moss. I also like long fibred New Zealand sphagnum moss. Many people on the forums like coco coir, though I do not like to use it myself.

 

[wellington]

I love coconut coir. Does not mold and can last for a very long time if you do good spot cleaning. It also does not cause impaction and it can't poke them. I only use the very fine stuff that looks like saw dust. If you use it, wet with warm water and pat down tight, this will help keep it from sticking to your tort. Place flat rocks around the water dish and that will also help to keep it out of the water.
Any that you use can possibly give you little tiny bugs. This can be prevented for the most part by either baking the substrate at 200 for about 2-3 hours or you can boil it.

 

[Jodie]

I am also a coco Coir fan. It and a few spots of sphagnum moss are all I use for my small guys. Bigger messy guys I use coco fiber husks. I have been very happy with Coir. Grass grows great in it too.

 

[Tom pike]

Okay thank you very much

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I have baby R/Fs. I use Orchid bark because as already stated, it doesn't foul. However, I take it a step further: Orchid bark to about 4" with a layer of potting soil over the top. (Potting soil has less sand than top soil.) I pour water into the corners and the Orchid bark soaks it up giving very high humidity. However, the top layer of potting soil remains dry. So you get exactly what you want...High humidity and dry, so no fungal issues for your tortoise. Also, this is quite cheap to do and only requires infrequent spot cleanings and it's very easy to remove poop.