Substrate for RF tortoises???

[KS Ruby RF Slippers]

I am just curious of how many of you use repti bark vs cypress mulch w/ your RF's ?? I sink a shallow tub that is about 6" x 10" full of river pea gravel. Then cover with bark. Bark ends up about 4-6 " deep. Then i pour HOT water into the tub w/ gravel about 4 -5 x's a week while I'm soaking Ruby. So she has a nice humid place to be - or not. Seems to be working so far ??? Also i seen where someone said the lights on screen sort of defeats the V rays ? But I've always had her lights on top of the screen top at one end where she basks. Under there is also a sticky pad . It's her hot spot. LOL

 

[Yvonne G]

I've used ReptiBark in a pinch, but it costs so much to buy it at a pet store as opposed to buying large bags at the Garden Center.

The screen top diffuses a good deal of the UVB rays, however, some get through. Because RF tortoises also eat animal protein, they DO get some vitamin d from their diet, so having full spectrum UVB rays shining on him isn't all that important with RF tortoise.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Indoors I always use Orchid bark.
Outdoors I use mulch.