Substrate

Status
Not open for further replies.

Zeke

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2012
Messages
34
Can any one suggest a good substrate for me to use in my sulcatas home...ive been reading mixed things...but am leaning towards a sand mixture but what else?? Thanks for the advice:)
 

MORTYtheTORTY

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Messages
442
Location (City and/or State)
Cali
Everyone on here will give you diff ideas and it'll be the same as the mixed reviews you've been reading LOL I was using roughly 80/20 Coconut coir and playsand and some do use it and some don't but the majority doesn't recommend it...I would just stick to Coconut coir and temperature and humidity play a major role in the well being of your tort..you have a hatchling or Juvy or adult? If you got yours from a pet store or bad breeder then they will tell you to keep it dry <--I bought one recenetly with possibly an RI or pneumonia and my temps were off and humidity since that guy said to keep it dry and I ended up refunding him and getting 2 more hatchlings from a reputable breeder instead.
I get my coconut coir bricks from Carolinapetsupply.com (5 big bricks) for $25 <--lmk if you find anything cheaper
gluck =D
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
53,937
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
I like coconut coir also. I have a leopard. It is all I use. However if you have a large tort, a hay may be better. Hold for more opinions. It might help to remind us of the size of your tort.
 

Zeke

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2012
Messages
34
Hes 3 months old...i used hay with zeke but have been reading i should change it.
 

MORTYtheTORTY

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Messages
442
Location (City and/or State)
Cali
well he's still a hatchling so use coconut coir and make sure it's damp and keep the humidity up and the temps and he will do fine. They won't eat hay until they are adult. I've seen where one used coir mixed with oraganic soil and hay mixed in there. It's up to you but I got my advice from reputable breeders on here =) gluck, I'm still a newbie tort mom.
 

Zeke

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2012
Messages
34
Thanks everybody! I couldnt find it around here so i must have to order it online
 

MORTYtheTORTY

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Messages
442
Location (City and/or State)
Cali
@zeke...coir is like nutrients and better than soil. I haven't tried it myself yet, just use juffy tubs to plant my tortoise seed mix and flowers and either repot them in the enclosure or pot them where they will eat them in a seperate enclosure.
 

nicoleandrocky

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
969
Location (City and/or State)
California
MORTYtheTORTY said:
@zeke...coir is like nutrients and better than soil. I haven't tried it myself yet, just use juffy tubs to plant my tortoise seed mix and flowers and either repot them in the enclosure or pot them where they will eat them in a seperate enclosure.

:D
 

MORTYtheTORTY

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Messages
442
Location (City and/or State)
Cali
What kind of hay did you buy? I have timothy hay and got it before I found out that hatchlings don't eat hay till a yr or so. What I did was grind it up into small tiny pieces and powder and I sprinkled it on my last torts food every day or every other day. I had to pick through it and take out the sharp hard pieces and only gave the soft...IDK if it's ok to do this but if anyone else knows then please lmk :)
 

StudentoftheReptile

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2011
Messages
1,705
Location (City and/or State)
Alabama
I've been using a mixture of topsoil and cypress mulch. I like it, and Kobe seems to like it as well. Cheap mixture.
 

MORTYtheTORTY

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Messages
442
Location (City and/or State)
Cali
StudentoftheReptile said:
I've been using a mixture of topsoil and cypress mulch. I like it, and Kobe seems to like it as well. Cheap mixture.

How often do you clean it? Curious cuz that last guy had bugs in his bedding from the soil :/
 

StudentoftheReptile

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2011
Messages
1,705
Location (City and/or State)
Alabama
MORTYtheTORTY said:
How often do you clean it? Curious cuz that last guy had bugs in his bedding from the soil :/

I just spot-clean it every few days. I have yet to see any bugs any that enclosure, from using any substrate. Mind you, the tank is 36" x 42" and the substrate about 3-4" deep.
 

MORTYtheTORTY

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Messages
442
Location (City and/or State)
Cali
Do you grow plants/grass in the enclosure? Maybe that's another reason for bugs?
Another thing when do you change out the soil? Like once or twice a yr at least? I read somewhere about them urinating alot when they're older?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

New Posts

Top