Sulcata substrate

[LuckyS]

Hi.
I think there is a major misconception regarding the "pine bark" sold in Indonesia versus the "orchid bark" recommended in the US, they dont come from the same tree.

In Indonesia, local bark is sourced from Pinus merkusii, which is heavily laden with terpenes, phenols, and resins (turpentine). When placed under basking lamps, the heat bakes these toxic oils out of the wood and directly into the air. Breathing in these pine phenols, especially inside a closed enclosure, I think it can cause severe eye irritation and potentially lead to lung damage or respiratory infections (RI).

In the US, the highly recommended "orchid bark" is actually made from Douglas Fir bark, not pine. Fir bark lacks these toxic phenols and is completely safe to use under high heat.

For my own Sulcata, I used damp coco peat from the time he was a hatchling (5cm) until he reached about 20cm, at which point he moved out to the back garden full-time. During his entire time in a closed enclosure, he never experienced eye irritation, RI, or constipation.

Here is the exact routine that worked for me:

1. Sterilization and Moisture Control: I hydrated the coco coir using boiling water. (I tried baking it to sterilize it, but using boiling water is much faster for large batches). I do not routinely spray the enclosure. Instead, I let the top layer of the coir dry out slightly, and I only pour boiling water into the substrate again, mix it a bit when the hygrometer drops below 80%. (I put back my baby when the temperature is back to normal).
2. 
   
3. Dedicated Feeding Loft: I created a second level in the enclosure lined with a rubber mat and a pee pad (diaper sheet) underneath. I serve all greens up there so the food never touches the coco peat. I clean up leftover greens daily, and if he pees on the mat, I change the pad underneath immediately.
4. Feeding Pellets Outside: I feed him Mazuri pellets completely outside of the enclosure. This ensures that soggy pellets don't get lost in the coco peat and become a breeding ground for mold.
5. Daily Soaking Routine: I soak him daily, which trains him to poop in the water rather than in his enclosure. On days when I can't soak him, he will poop in the enclosure, but I spot-clean and remove it the second I see it.

 

[Tom]

Hi.
I think there is a major misconception regarding the "pine bark" sold in Indonesia versus the "orchid bark" recommended in the US, they dont come from the same tree.

In Indonesia, local bark is sourced from Pinus merkusii, which is heavily laden with terpenes, phenols, and resins (turpentine). When placed under basking lamps, the heat bakes these toxic oils out of the wood and directly into the air. Breathing in these pine phenols, especially inside a closed enclosure, I think it can cause severe eye irritation and potentially lead to lung damage or respiratory infections (RI).

In the US, the highly recommended "orchid bark" is actually made from Douglas Fir bark, not pine. Fir bark lacks these toxic phenols and is completely safe to use under high heat.

For my own Sulcata, I used damp coco peat from the time he was a hatchling (5cm) until he reached about 20cm, at which point he moved out to the back garden full-time. During his entire time in a closed enclosure, he never experienced eye irritation, RI, or constipation.

Here is the exact routine that worked for me:

1. Sterilization and Moisture Control: I hydrated the coco coir using boiling water. (I tried baking it to sterilize it, but using boiling water is much faster for large batches). I do not routinely spray the enclosure. Instead, I let the top layer of the coir dry out slightly, and I only pour boiling water into the substrate again, mix it a bit when the hygrometer drops below 80%. (I put back my baby when the temperature is back to normal).
2. 
   
3. Dedicated Feeding Loft: I created a second level in the enclosure lined with a rubber mat and a pee pad (diaper sheet) underneath. I serve all greens up there so the food never touches the coco peat. I clean up leftover greens daily, and if he pees on the mat, I change the pad underneath immediately.
4. Feeding Pellets Outside: I feed him Mazuri pellets completely outside of the enclosure. This ensures that soggy pellets don't get lost in the coco peat and become a breeding ground for mold.
5. Daily Soaking Routine: I soak him daily, which trains him to poop in the water rather than in his enclosure. On days when I can't soak him, he will poop in the enclosure, but I spot-clean and remove it the second I see it.

Thank you for this clarification! Having never been to Indonesia, I'm totally unaware of what products and materials are used over there. I hope your post helps other people in Indonesia to choose the right substrates.

Your routine all sounds good, but I'm dying to know what number 2 is all about...

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hi.
I think there is a major misconception regarding the "pine bark" sold in Indonesia versus the "orchid bark" recommended in the US, they dont come from the same tree.

In Indonesia, local bark is sourced from Pinus merkusii, which is heavily laden with terpenes, phenols, and resins (turpentine). When placed under basking lamps, the heat bakes these toxic oils out of the wood and directly into the air. Breathing in these pine phenols, especially inside a closed enclosure, I think it can cause severe eye irritation and potentially lead to lung damage or respiratory infections (RI).

In the US, the highly recommended "orchid bark" is actually made from Douglas Fir bark, not pine. Fir bark lacks these toxic phenols and is completely safe to use under high heat.

For my own Sulcata, I used damp coco peat from the time he was a hatchling (5cm) until he reached about 20cm, at which point he moved out to the back garden full-time. During his entire time in a closed enclosure, he never experienced eye irritation, RI, or constipation.

Here is the exact routine that worked for me:

1. Sterilization and Moisture Control: I hydrated the coco coir using boiling water. (I tried baking it to sterilize it, but using boiling water is much faster for large batches). I do not routinely spray the enclosure. Instead, I let the top layer of the coir dry out slightly, and I only pour boiling water into the substrate again, mix it a bit when the hygrometer drops below 80%. (I put back my baby when the temperature is back to normal).
2. 
   
3. Dedicated Feeding Loft: I created a second level in the enclosure lined with a rubber mat and a pee pad (diaper sheet) underneath. I serve all greens up there so the food never touches the coco peat. I clean up leftover greens daily, and if he pees on the mat, I change the pad underneath immediately.
4. Feeding Pellets Outside: I feed him Mazuri pellets completely outside of the enclosure. This ensures that soggy pellets don't get lost in the coco peat and become a breeding ground for mold.
5. Daily Soaking Routine: I soak him daily, which trains him to poop in the water rather than in his enclosure. On days when I can't soak him, he will poop in the enclosure, but I spot-clean and remove it the second I see it.

Yeah, here in Finland our pine bark for gardening/bulk purposes is Pinus sylvesteris which is also the wrong kind afaik. And the orchid bark for orchid plants here is made from Pinus pinea. Also the wrong kind.

I guess the moral of the story is, if possible, check the Latin names.

 

[lovesulcata]

Hi.
I think there is a major misconception regarding the "pine bark" sold in Indonesia versus the "orchid bark" recommended in the US, they dont come from the same tree.

In Indonesia, local bark is sourced from Pinus merkusii, which is heavily laden with terpenes, phenols, and resins (turpentine). When placed under basking lamps, the heat bakes these toxic oils out of the wood and directly into the air. Breathing in these pine phenols, especially inside a closed enclosure, I think it can cause severe eye irritation and potentially lead to lung damage or respiratory infections (RI).

In the US, the highly recommended "orchid bark" is actually made from Douglas Fir bark, not pine. Fir bark lacks these toxic phenols and is completely safe to use under high heat.

For my own Sulcata, I used damp coco peat from the time he was a hatchling (5cm) until he reached about 20cm, at which point he moved out to the back garden full-time. During his entire time in a closed enclosure, he never experienced eye irritation, RI, or constipation.

Here is the exact routine that worked for me:

1. Sterilization and Moisture Control: I hydrated the coco coir using boiling water. (I tried baking it to sterilize it, but using boiling water is much faster for large batches). I do not routinely spray the enclosure. Instead, I let the top layer of the coir dry out slightly, and I only pour boiling water into the substrate again, mix it a bit when the hygrometer drops below 80%. (I put back my baby when the temperature is back to normal).
2. 
   
3. Dedicated Feeding Loft: I created a second level in the enclosure lined with a rubber mat and a pee pad (diaper sheet) underneath. I serve all greens up there so the food never touches the coco peat. I clean up leftover greens daily, and if he pees on the mat, I change the pad underneath immediately.
4. Feeding Pellets Outside: I feed him Mazuri pellets completely outside of the enclosure. This ensures that soggy pellets don't get lost in the coco peat and become a breeding ground for mold.
5. Daily Soaking Routine: I soak him daily, which trains him to poop in the water rather than in his enclosure. On days when I can't soak him, he will poop in the enclosure, but I spot-clean and remove it the second I see it.

Are u from indonesia? If u are from indonesia, can u give me link shopee of coco peat block?? because i dont know which one to order. Ah so i cant use pinebark then (ordered it already but im canceling it) Okay ill buy coco coir block instead. Thank you for telling me this!! I thought pine bark indo and orchid bark from zoomed was the same.

 

[LuckyS]

Yes I am from Indonesia, I use the brand Agropin. Here’s the link if you’d like to check it out: https://s.shopee.co.id/1103wB0nTx?share_channel_code=1

As for sterilizing with boiling water, I can't say for certain if it prevents mold, but I personally haven't had any mold issues when doing it. If you try the boiling water method, please be careful and have an adult help you. It takes a few hours to cool, so my routine is to do this in the morning, keep my baby in a temporary enclosure, and put him back in the afternoon once it's safe.

As for hiding spots, my baby absolutely loves them. I provide three different ones for sleeping and napping: an upside-down plastic pot with a doorway cut out, along with two half-pots. When he's ready to call it a day, he almost always retreats into the upside-down pot and digs around until the coco peat blocks the entrance. In the morning, he comes out on his own, and during the day, he prefers using the half-pots for his naps.

I hope the best for your Sulcata! By the way, how old are they?

 

[LuckyS]

Thank you for this clarification! Having never been to Indonesia, I'm totally unaware of what products and materials are used over there. I hope your post helps other people in Indonesia to choose the right substrates.

Your routine all sounds good, but I'm dying to know what number 2 is all about...

Haha, oops! Number 2 was just a total typo on my end, my brain must have skipped a line!

I really wanted to take a moment to say a huge thank you @Tom , though. I actually read through your posts and followed your exact advice to raise my Sulcata. Your guidance has been so incredibly helpful to me.

By the way, my baby plastron is already 29cm! Is it possible to figure out the gender at this size? He is going to be 2 years old in two months

 

[Tom]

Haha, oops! Number 2 was just a total typo on my end, my brain must have skipped a line!

I really wanted to take a moment to say a huge thank you @Tom , though. I actually read through your posts and followed your exact advice to raise my Sulcata. Your guidance has been so incredibly helpful to me.

By the way, my baby plastron is already 29cm! Is it possible to figure out the gender at this size? He is going to be 2 years old in two months

In most cases, you can't tell until they are around 40cm. Some of my faster growers didn't show until 48cm.

And you are very welcome. Glad the info helped!

 

[lovesulcata]

Yes I am from Indonesia, I use the brand Agropin. Here’s the link if you’d like to check it out: https://s.shopee.co.id/1103wB0nTx?share_channel_code=1

As for sterilizing with boiling water, I can't say for certain if it prevents mold, but I personally haven't had any mold issues when doing it. If you try the boiling water method, please be careful and have an adult help you. It takes a few hours to cool, so my routine is to do this in the morning, keep my baby in a temporary enclosure, and put him back in the afternoon once it's safe.

As for hiding spots, my baby absolutely loves them. I provide three different ones for sleeping and napping: an upside-down plastic pot with a doorway cut out, along with two half-pots. When he's ready to call it a day, he almost always retreats into the upside-down pot and digs around until the coco peat blocks the entrance. In the morning, he comes out on his own, and during the day, he prefers using the half-pots for his naps.

I hope the best for your Sulcata! By the way, how old are they?

Yes I am from Indonesia, I use the brand Agropin. Here’s the link if you’d like to check it out: https://s.shopee.co.id/1103wB0nTx?share_channel_code=1

As for sterilizing with boiling water, I can't say for certain if it prevents mold, but I personally haven't had any mold issues when doing it. If you try the boiling water method, please be careful and have an adult help you. It takes a few hours to cool, so my routine is to do this in the morning, keep my baby in a temporary enclosure, and put him back in the afternoon once it's safe.

As for hiding spots, my baby absolutely loves them. I provide three different ones for sleeping and napping: an upside-down plastic pot with a doorway cut out, along with two half-pots. When he's ready to call it a day, he almost always retreats into the upside-down pot and digs around until the coco peat blocks the entrance. In the morning, he comes out on his own, and during the day, he prefers using the half-pots for his naps.

I hope the best for your Sulcata! By the way, how old are they?

Good! aku pakai bahasa indo aja ya agak susah pake inggris. Jadi aku hrs rendam coco block nya pake air panas dulu trus di diemin 1 jam baru boleh ditaro di kandang? Tapi nanti klo coco peat nya udh kering (gak lembab) di kandang, aku harus basahin nya gimana ya?? direndam air panas lagi? Oh iya Kalau ga sengaja kemakan sm kura2nya aman kah? sulcata ku udah 2 tahun

 

[LuckyS]

Good! aku pakai bahasa indo aja ya agak susah pake inggris. Jadi aku hrs rendam coco block nya pake air panas dulu trus di diemin 1 jam baru boleh ditaro di kandang? Tapi nanti klo coco peat nya udh kering (gak lembab) di kandang, aku harus basahin nya gimana ya?? direndam air panas lagi? Oh iya Kalau ga sengaja kemakan sm kura2nya aman kah? sulcata ku udah 2 tahun

Wah sama dong, kura kita seumuran.. jangan2 saudaaraan (sama tokonya hahaha..)

Pastinya butuh waktu lebih dari 1 jam, soalnya panas banget, kalo udah dingin normal, baru masukin ke dalam kandang, nyiramnya pas pagi aja, terus di angin-anginin, nanti pas sore sudah dingin lg, nyobanya pake tanggan jadi pasti aman ke kura nya..
Btw, kalo enggak salah 1KG cocopeat block itu butuh 6 liter air(cek lagi di kemasannya).. jadi pas awal banget siapin wadah besar taruh cocopeat trus tuang air mendidih sesuai takarannya. Btw, cocopeatnya bakal ngembang lumayan banyak jadi pastiin wadahnya cukup besar. Panas-panas, aduk sedemikian supaya semua cocopetnya kena airpanas.. saya ngaduknya pake sekop tangan dari besi yang buat nanam2 (yang baru ya biar steril)

Nah yang bahaya tuh pas nuang di dalam kandang, nyiramnya pake feeling supaya jangan kebanyakan, kalo kebanyakan, nanti harus kamu peres airnya keluar (Kamu harus trial n error, kalo saya biasanya mending kedikitan daripada kebanyakan, kalo kedikitan bisa tuang lg besok paginya, setelah beberapa kali, punya feelingnya butuh berapa banyak), o ya, tuang air panas ke empat ujungnya, aduk2 supaya cocopeat yang masih panas itu ke cocopeat sekitar (ini panas banget ya, jadi ati2 banget, kalo misalnya kepanasan, tunggu dingin-an, pastiin pintu enclosurenya terbuka, jadi lebih cepet dingin.
Kalo saya, habis itu saya tinggal kerja, nanti pas sore baru saya test pake tangan, di semua beberapa tempat, masttin aman buat si kura dan ngerasain apa masih kurang basah, kalo kurang basah besoknya saya tambahin lagi.

(Saya pake sekitar 5Kg Cocopeat kering, waktu ngelempabin ulang pas rada kering, biasanya saya tuang sekitar 6-8 liter air panas ke ujung kiri dan kanan, berapa banyaknya itu tergantung dari berapa kering di cocopeatnya - setelah beberapa kali dapat feelingnya)

Aman kok kalo kemakan, pertama kali pake cocopeat, kuraku tuh penasaran jadi sengaja di makan gt, awalnya takut, tapi setelah 2-3 harian aku liat dy tetep sehat, plus awal2 sebelum aku buatin lantai dua buat tempat makan, sayurannya tuh suka berantakan kena cocopeat, sama si kura dengan asik di makan terus dan gk pernah sakit. Kadang2 serat cocopeat yang panjang juga kemakan, nah ini serat kadang masih nyantol setengah di dalam pas dy BAB, kl gini, biasamya ak tarik pelan pelan, kl kaya stuck gk bisa di tarik, ak potong serat yang gantung.. sehari-hari kalo aku liat ada serat panjang di cocopeat, langsung ak buang..

 

[lovesulcata]

Wah sama dong, kura kita seumuran.. jangan2 saudaaraan (sama tokonya hahaha..)

Pastinya butuh waktu lebih dari 1 jam, soalnya panas banget, kalo udah dingin normal, baru masukin ke dalam kandang, nyiramnya pas pagi aja, terus di angin-anginin, nanti pas sore sudah dingin lg, nyobanya pake tanggan jadi pasti aman ke kura nya..
Btw, kalo enggak salah 1KG cocopeat block itu butuh 6 liter air(cek lagi di kemasannya).. jadi pas awal banget siapin wadah besar taruh cocopeat trus tuang air mendidih sesuai takarannya. Btw, cocopeatnya bakal ngembang lumayan banyak jadi pastiin wadahnya cukup besar. Panas-panas, aduk sedemikian supaya semua cocopetnya kena airpanas.. saya ngaduknya pake sekop tangan dari besi yang buat nanam2 (yang baru ya biar steril)

Nah yang bahaya tuh pas nuang di dalam kandang, nyiramnya pake feeling supaya jangan kebanyakan, kalo kebanyakan, nanti harus kamu peres airnya keluar (Kamu harus trial n error, kalo saya biasanya mending kedikitan daripada kebanyakan, kalo kedikitan bisa tuang lg besok paginya, setelah beberapa kali, punya feelingnya butuh berapa banyak), o ya, tuang air panas ke empat ujungnya, aduk2 supaya cocopeat yang masih panas itu ke cocopeat sekitar (ini panas banget ya, jadi ati2 banget, kalo misalnya kepanasan, tunggu dingin-an, pastiin pintu enclosurenya terbuka, jadi lebih cepet dingin.
Kalo saya, habis itu saya tinggal kerja, nanti pas sore baru saya test pake tangan, di semua beberapa tempat, masttin aman buat si kura dan ngerasain apa masih kurang basah, kalo kurang basah besoknya saya tambahin lagi.

(Saya pake sekitar 5Kg Cocopeat kering, waktu ngelempabin ulang pas rada kering, biasanya saya tuang sekitar 6-8 liter air panas ke ujung kiri dan kanan, berapa banyaknya itu tergantung dari berapa kering di cocopeatnya - setelah beberapa kali dapat feelingnya)

Aman kok kalo kemakan, pertama kali pake cocopeat, kuraku tuh penasaran jadi sengaja di makan gt, awalnya takut, tapi setelah 2-3 harian aku liat dy tetep sehat, plus awal2 sebelum aku buatin lantai dua buat tempat makan, sayurannya tuh suka berantakan kena cocopeat, sama si kura dengan asik di makan terus dan gk pernah sakit. Kadang2 serat cocopeat yang panjang juga kemakan, nah ini serat kadang masih nyantol setengah di dalam pas dy BAB, kl gini, biasamya ak tarik pelan pelan, kl kaya stuck gk bisa di tarik, ak potong serat yang gantung.. sehari-hari kalo aku liat ada serat panjang di cocopeat, langsung ak buang.

Wah sama dong, kura kita seumuran.. jangan2 saudaaraan (sama tokonya hahaha..)

Pastinya butuh waktu lebih dari 1 jam, soalnya panas banget, kalo udah dingin normal, baru masukin ke dalam kandang, nyiramnya pas pagi aja, terus di angin-anginin, nanti pas sore sudah dingin lg, nyobanya pake tanggan jadi pasti aman ke kura nya..
Btw, kalo enggak salah 1KG cocopeat block itu butuh 6 liter air(cek lagi di kemasannya).. jadi pas awal banget siapin wadah besar taruh cocopeat trus tuang air mendidih sesuai takarannya. Btw, cocopeatnya bakal ngembang lumayan banyak jadi pastiin wadahnya cukup besar. Panas-panas, aduk sedemikian supaya semua cocopetnya kena airpanas.. saya ngaduknya pake sekop tangan dari besi yang buat nanam2 (yang baru ya biar steril)

Nah yang bahaya tuh pas nuang di dalam kandang, nyiramnya pake feeling supaya jangan kebanyakan, kalo kebanyakan, nanti harus kamu peres airnya keluar (Kamu harus trial n error, kalo saya biasanya mending kedikitan daripada kebanyakan, kalo kedikitan bisa tuang lg besok paginya, setelah beberapa kali, punya feelingnya butuh berapa banyak), o ya, tuang air panas ke empat ujungnya, aduk2 supaya cocopeat yang masih panas itu ke cocopeat sekitar (ini panas banget ya, jadi ati2 banget, kalo misalnya kepanasan, tunggu dingin-an, pastiin pintu enclosurenya terbuka, jadi lebih cepet dingin.
Kalo saya, habis itu saya tinggal kerja, nanti pas sore baru saya test pake tangan, di semua beberapa tempat, masttin aman buat si kura dan ngerasain apa masih kurang basah, kalo kurang basah besoknya saya tambahin lagi.

(Saya pake sekitar 5Kg Cocopeat kering, waktu ngelempabin ulang pas rada kering, biasanya saya tuang sekitar 6-8 liter air panas ke ujung kiri dan kanan, berapa banyaknya itu tergantung dari berapa kering di cocopeatnya - setelah beberapa kali dapat feelingnya)

Aman kok kalo kemakan, pertama kali pake cocopeat, kuraku tuh penasaran jadi sengaja di makan gt, awalnya takut, tapi setelah 2-3 harian aku liat dy tetep sehat, plus awal2 sebelum aku buatin lantai dua buat tempat makan, sayurannya tuh suka berantakan kena cocopeat, sama si kura dengan asik di makan terus dan gk pernah sakit. Kadang2 serat cocopeat yang panjang juga kemakan, nah ini serat kadang masih nyantol setengah di dalam pas dy BAB, kl gini, biasamya ak tarik pelan pelan, kl kaya stuck gk bisa di tarik, ak potong serat yang gantung.. sehari-hari kalo aku liat ada serat panjang di cocopeat, langsung ak buang..

bisaa jadi saudaraan wkwk, Oohh oke brarti tiap hari (1 hari cm 1x?) coco peatnya di tuang pake air panas ya biar ttp lembab tapi jgn terlalu banyak air nya(pas di kandang) Terus kira2 ganti coco peatnya tiap kapan ya, tiap 1 bulan sekali? lalu coco peat agropin tuh harus dipake smua ya gabisa setengah2? soalnya aku takutny kebanyakan di kandangnya krn kan ngembang 6x lipat

 

[LuckyS]

bisaa jadi saudaraan wkwk, Oohh oke brarti tiap hari (1 hari cm 1x?) coco peatnya di tuang pake air panas ya biar ttp lembab tapi jgn terlalu banyak air nya(pas di kandang) Terus kira2 ganti coco peatnya tiap kapan ya, tiap 1 bulan sekali? lalu coco peat agropin tuh harus dipake smua ya gabisa setengah2? soalnya aku takutny kebanyakan di kandangnya krn kan ngembang 6x lipat

bukan setiap hari di siram air panas. Siram cuma pas kalo rada kering (Kalo saya bisa sekitar 2-3 minggu-an baru rada kering).

Kalo sehabis dituang air panas, gak bisa dirasakan apa cukup lembab atau tidak karena masih panas (Ngerasain cukup lembab pakai tangan - bukan pakai mata ya!). Saya kan kerja, jadi saya ceknya cuma bisa pas sore/malem. Kalo lagi saya siram air panas di pagi hari, kura2nya saya pindahkan dulu ke taman bagian yang gk panas (pake batu hebel buat kandang sementara,atasnya tutup pake mesh biar gk diganggu kucing atau binatang gede lainnya)

Pas sore/malem (setelah cocopeatnya dingin), cek pake tangan kelembabannya. kalo belum cukup lembab, besok paginya saya siram air panas lagi (Kuranya sya tempatkan dulu ke taman yang gak kena panas). Saya gk siram air panas lagi pas sore/malem karena kura2 saya butuh enclosure indoornya buat tidur malem biar aman dari tikus.. (tempat saya tikusnya aktif kalo malem)

Awal2 saya siram air panas itu butuh 2 kali/hari, karena hari pertama kurang lembab, terus hari kedua saya siram lagi baru pas kelembabannya. Setelah melakukan beberapa kali, saya tau perkiraannya butuh berapa banyak..

Nah saya juga pernah kebanyakan di hari pertama, yang saya lakukan di sore hari, saya peres cocopeat basahnya nya segenggam demi segenggam ke ember supaya jangan kebasahan - ini rada cape dan makan waktu.. Makanya saya lebih milih nuang air panasnya kedikitan daripada kebanyakan.

Saya gak pernah ganti cocopeatnya selama 1 tahun lebih itu sejak pake rutin yang saya jelasin sebelumnya.
Awal pake cocopeat, saya siram pake air biasa, terus 2 minggu kemudian saya liat ada mold alus di permukaan cocopeat di area yang paling dingin. Nah waktu saya liat itu, langsung saya buang cocopeat lamanya, saya disenfektan permukaan kandangnya, tempat hiding, tempat makan dan minum dan cocopeat baru sebagian itu saya oven (makan waktu banyak karena oven saya kecil), sebagian lagi saya siram air panas. Sejak itu gk pernah ganti cocopeat lagi ampe kura saya full time di halaman belakang.
Intinya selama bersih - gk ada makanan ato kotoran, terus rutin di siram air panas pas rada kering, plus tiap hari kena lampu pemanas pas siang dan malem, harusnya aman sih...

O iya, btw yang paling penting dari cocopeat, pastikan kamu punya lampu pemanas siang dan lampu pemanas malem (CHE) ya dan di kandang itu suhu terendah 28/29C. Alasannya: sewaktu kamu pake cocopeat yang lembab, ini sumber dingin kalo gk ada lampu pemanas, kuranya bisa sakit (saya kenal 1 orang yang sulcatanya sakit (masih bayi banget 5cm-an) karena ganti ke cocopeat lembab tapi gk pake lampu pemanas). Jadi pastikan lampunya ada dulu baru ganti ke cocopeat lembab..

 

[Grandma Jean]

I use Timothy Hay I buy compressed bales from Tractor Supply it not all only cushions them but they eat it and when it is soiled I compost it for my garden where I raise greens for them.

I also follow Beauford's routine for a substrate. Today I just purchased another bale of Timothy hay for my adult sulfate which she eats and sleeps on in cooler weather in s. Fl. I still have to muck out her poops daily and fluff it up like a big nest and spread it around the landscape around the plants to fertilize the surrounding hibiscus hedges.

 

[lovesulcata]

bukan setiap hari di siram air panas. Siram cuma pas kalo rada kering (Kalo saya bisa sekitar 2-3 minggu-an baru rada kering).

Kalo sehabis dituang air panas, gak bisa dirasakan apa cukup lembab atau tidak karena masih panas (Ngerasain cukup lembab pakai tangan - bukan pakai mata ya!). Saya kan kerja, jadi saya ceknya cuma bisa pas sore/malem. Kalo lagi saya siram air panas di pagi hari, kura2nya saya pindahkan dulu ke taman bagian yang gk panas (pake batu hebel buat kandang sementara,atasnya tutup pake mesh biar gk diganggu kucing atau binatang gede lainnya)

Pas sore/malem (setelah cocopeatnya dingin), cek pake tangan kelembabannya. kalo belum cukup lembab, besok paginya saya siram air panas lagi (Kuranya sya tempatkan dulu ke taman yang gak kena panas). Saya gk siram air panas lagi pas sore/malem karena kura2 saya butuh enclosure indoornya buat tidur malem biar aman dari tikus.. (tempat saya tikusnya aktif kalo malem)

Awal2 saya siram air panas itu butuh 2 kali/hari, karena hari pertama kurang lembab, terus hari kedua saya siram lagi baru pas kelembabannya. Setelah melakukan beberapa kali, saya tau perkiraannya butuh berapa banyak..

Nah saya juga pernah kebanyakan di hari pertama, yang saya lakukan di sore hari, saya peres cocopeat basahnya nya segenggam demi segenggam ke ember supaya jangan kebasahan - ini rada cape dan makan waktu.. Makanya saya lebih milih nuang air panasnya kedikitan daripada kebanyakan.

Saya gak pernah ganti cocopeatnya selama 1 tahun lebih itu sejak pake rutin yang saya jelasin sebelumnya.
Awal pake cocopeat, saya siram pake air biasa, terus 2 minggu kemudian saya liat ada mold alus di permukaan cocopeat di area yang paling dingin. Nah waktu saya liat itu, langsung saya buang cocopeat lamanya, saya disenfektan permukaan kandangnya, tempat hiding, tempat makan dan minum dan cocopeat baru sebagian itu saya oven (makan waktu banyak karena oven saya kecil), sebagian lagi saya siram air panas. Sejak itu gk pernah ganti cocopeat lagi ampe kura saya full time di halaman belakang.
Intinya selama bersih - gk ada makanan ato kotoran, terus rutin di siram air panas pas rada kering, plus tiap hari kena lampu pemanas pas siang dan malem, harusnya aman sih...

O iya, btw yang paling penting dari cocopeat, pastikan kamu punya lampu pemanas siang dan lampu pemanas malem (CHE) ya dan di kandang itu suhu terendah 28/29C. Alasannya: sewaktu kamu pake cocopeat yang lembab, ini sumber dingin kalo gk ada lampu pemanas, kuranya bisa sakit (saya kenal 1 orang yang sulcatanya sakit (masih bayi banget 5cm-an) karena ganti ke cocopeat lembab tapi gk pake lampu pemanas). Jadi pastikan lampunya ada dulu baru ganti ke cocopeat lembab..

Ooo oke, lampu uva ku selalu nyala juga. agropin nya udah sampe tp blom kucoba wkwk,oh iya kk nya ada tiktok ga biar lebih gampang chat? Cara bedain coco peatnya lembab atau kering gmn ya, dr teksturny ya. Boleh liat setup kandang mu gaa