substrate

[shane1111]

is sphagnum moss good to use with my red foot?
i was told its good to mix peat moss with the eco earth. will sphagnum do the same thing?

i also read that u should mix sand and eco earth 50/50.

 

[GBtortoises]

Peat moss is basically dead, ground up sphagnum moss. The only advantage that dead sphagnum (peat) moss may have over live sphagnum moss is that it doesn't support some of the fungal and bacterial properties that live sphagnum does.

I've always stayed away from sand as a substrate ingredient for any tortoise species because it sticks to anything damp, including their eyes, mouth & food. I like to use organic potting soil or topsoil and coconut coir (Eco Earth or other sources). The mix percentage will vary based on the species and the amount of substrate moisture that you want to achieve.

 

[Missy]

organic soil is cheaper than Eco Earth and is just fine. I would also leave out the sand and add some peat moss or coconut coir.

 

[shane1111]

the sphagnum looks dead. i have big bags at work its dried and says zoo med on it lol. i was going to buy that and mix it in the eco earth