Substrate suggestions????

[Leo’s Keeper]

Hey everyone!! I reviewed many threads on substrate but didn’t find anything recently posted (may have missed it) and things are always changing!!! Is there a brand of orchid bark/forest floor that you all prefer more than others?? I have an adult Russian tortoise he’s about 7 years old (this is a guesstimate as he was a rescue - no way of knowing). From my understanding through research, the best set up would be hand pack coco coir as the base then topped with orchid bark or forest floor. If this is incorrect, please let me know!! Thank you in advance!

 

[MesoTank]

I use a mix of coco coir and sand for my Greek tortoise (70/30 mix). it holds humidity well and gives enough structure for digging. I don’t see many people use orchid bark but I have seen repti bark used for structure but that can be expensive.

 

[Tom]

Hey everyone!! I reviewed many threads on substrate but didn’t find anything recently posted (may have missed it) and things are always changing!!! Is there a brand of orchid bark/forest floor that you all prefer more than others?? I have an adult Russian tortoise he’s about 7 years old (this is a guesstimate as he was a rescue - no way of knowing). From my understanding through research, the best set up would be hand pack coco coir as the base then topped with orchid bark or forest floor. If this is incorrect, please let me know!! Thank you in advance!

Hello and welcome. This is for you. This question and many others are answered here. Most "research" will find the same old wrong info that has been passed down for decades, and often from seemingly credible sources. Here is the correct care info:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Tom]

I use a mix of coco coir and sand for my Greek tortoise (70/30 mix). it holds humidity well and gives enough structure for digging. I don’t see many people use orchid bark but I have seen repti bark used for structure but that can be expensive.

Sand should never be used for tortoise substrate and certainly not recommended to new forum members. There is no benefit to sand, and substantial risk associated with it.

 

[MesoTank]

Sand should never be used for tortoise substrate and certainly not recommended to new forum members. There is no benefit to sand, and substantial risk associated with it

I’ve had mine on this sand coir mix for 10 years. Always worked for me and my tortoise. Thanks for the input Tommy!

 

[Tom]

I’ve had mine on this sand coir mix for 10 years. Always worked for me and my tortoise. Thanks for the input Tommy!

I don't doubt that. Still not a good idea. I rode a sport bike for 22 years, typically over 100 miles per hour every day, and I'm still alive. Doesn't mean it was a good practice or that I should recommend others do it.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello! The most up to date substrate recommendations are damp coco coir, orchid bark or cypress mulch.

Feel free to check these out!

This thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, definitely double check bulb types, folks unfortunately sold the wrong ones often), correct levels, appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and the tortoise table link

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it, I have a huge back log I need to add

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is good to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope this helps!