Terra Cotta Water Dish

[aclesi11]

Hello,

I recently took the advice that I have seen online to use a large terra cotta plant saucer as a water dish for tortoises. When I fill it with water, it absorbs the water and remains constantly damp and eventually grows mold. Does anyone else have this problem? Could it just be a lower grade saucer that doesn't keep water out?

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Every now and then someone gets a "dud". Take it back or buy another one. They don't all do that...but some seem too.
I have a dozen of them. Not one absorbs water like you (and others have) describe.
Good thing they are inexpensive.

 

[T33's Torts]

I have 9 and all are perfect.... Maybe its a user error Just kidding.

 

[bouaboua]

I also have/use many of them. One of them are just like you described, I use that one as Tortoise dinner plat, other I serve water.

So they all worked well. One way or the other.

 

[T33's Torts]

Hey bouaboua, I just realised you're in SoCal! We're practically neighbors!

 

[bouaboua]

Hey bouaboua, I just realised you're in SoCal! We're practically neighbors!

Well, couple blocks more.

I'm in San Francisco Bay Area. San Jose, Heart of the Silicon valley.

Hello Neighbor! ! ! ! !

 

[Saleama]

I test all of the ones I buy. if they do not hold water, I mark them (hit them on the side with a hammer) so I know which are dinner plates and which are water dishes. They are only $1.98 for the 8" so I have about 6 - 10 of them. I have never had one get mold on it though. That is new to me.

 

[Elohi]

I have one that seems to slowly soak up and leak water. But it's in with my boxie and it helps water the plant that's behind the dish haha. I it doesn't leak fast enough for me to worry about though.

 

[Tom]

I've had a few seepers over the years. Like Saleama, those ones become food bowls.

How could it grow mold if you are changing the water and rinsing it out daily? Are you sure is not just substrate collecting in the bottom.