Substrate

[micaelalovesmolly]

Hi
I have a 6 year old Greek tortoise and I use sand as a substrate but every day his food and water is all full of sand and his eyes I want to switch substrate but don't know what one
Thanks

 

[wellington]

I am not totally familiar with a proper substrate for your species. However, sand is not recommended, cause blocking problems. So, good thing you want to change. Cypress mulch, coconut coir and plain dirt, not sand are all good.

 

[Kristina]

For my Greek I prefer a mix of organic humus, coco coir, and long fiber sphagnum moss. And in fact, as time goes on, I am starting to really get hooked on using the moss alone.

Sand should not be used alone, it is too drying and can cause impactions and eye infections.

 

[micaelalovesmolly]

Where can i get Coco coir I've never heard of it

 

[Kristina]

I'm not sure where in Ireland to get it. Here we can buy it at Petstores like Petsmart or Petco. It is sold under names like EcoEarth and BedABeast. It comes in a hard brick that you soak in warm water until it expands. Maybe you can order it somewhere online.

Word of caution - coconut shell CHIPS are also sometimes called "coir" and are not the same thing. You want the stuff that is soft once it expands.

 

[micaelalovesmolly]

What is long fiber sphagnum moss

 

[Kristina]

It is usually used in potting plants. I buy the Mosser Lee brand here.

Again, keep in mind that you want the long fiber moss, NOT "sphagnum PEAT moss." It isn't the same thing.

 

[micaelalovesmolly]

And if the digest it ??

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Could I use peat moss

 

[Kristina]

Peat moss is not the same thing. It is actually quite acidic and can cause issues with shell rot, and if it dries out, it gets VERY dusty. I do not recommend it.

If they eat a little of the sphagnum, it won't hurt them one bit. Much better in the belly than sand.

 

[colatoise]

I use topsoil and cypress mulch mix. Keep a gradient of 4 inches on shallow side to 8 inches on other side for burrowing. Very easy to clean!

 

[micaelalovesmolly]

Would it be better if I mix top soil with the sand or should I just get rid of it altogether

 

[dexter1323]

Would it be better if I mix top soil with the sand or should I just get rid of it altogether

i would recommend to get rid of the sand altogether...we have a golden greek and he had the same issue...he loved the sand...loved to walk in it, burrow, eat it, step in his water and food and bring the sand with him in there...it ends up being too much ingestion of sand, no matter how little sand you use...

 

[micaelalovesmolly]

Okay thanks I thing I'll just get the wood chips tomorrow

 

[r5az]

I am not totally familiar with a proper substrate for your species. However, sand is not recommended, cause blocking problems. So, good thing you want to change. Cypress mulch, coconut coir and plain dirt, not sand are all good.

Some people are saying to wet the Substrate or spray it what does this mean?

 

[micaelalovesmolly]

I think wet/spray the substrate to make it humid in the enclosure

 

[dexter1323]

if you wet the substrate, don't over do it - keep it at low humidity. golden greeks do not do require a lot of humidity.

 

[Yvonne G]

Some people are saying to wet the Substrate or spray it what does this mean?

The tortoise in this thread is 6 years old. When we talk about a moist substrate, we're referring to baby tortoises under a year of age. Dry is fine for an older tortoise.