Urgent substrate question

[LeBeauMonde]

I purchased a hatchling Hermann's Tortoise yesterday and I am trying to solve the issue of substrate. I have fine play sand (plenty) and I bought a few bricks of eco-earth/coco coir, but I need some sort of compost or soil to mix with the sand. But! All of the composts and soils I find have perlite in them and manure. I can find mulches but they all have cedar or pine. I've looked at Star Nursery, Home Depot, and Lowes. Can anyone tell me what to try? A brand or type? I want to get the tortoise settled, but I can't seem to find the right stuff. How about peat moss? I have a 6 foot by 3 foot enclosure that is deep . . .

 

[MikeCow1]

Why not just use the Eco-Earth?

 

[LeBeauMonde]

Why not just use the Eco-Earth?

I purchased a fair amount (pricey) but I think the ratio of sand would still be very high. Around 80%, but then I am new to this - is that not a problem?

 

[Yvonne G]

I don't like to use sand. Quite a few people do use it in a 30/70 sand/eco earth ratio, but I don't use sand at all.

 

[LeBeauMonde]

I don't like to use sand. Quite a few people do use it in a 30/70 sand/echo earth ratio, but I don't use sand at all.

What do you use then? That's the problem I am trying to solve. Everyone has a reason not to use something - I can't find anything and it is beginning to get rather frustrating.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

Get organic top soil. You can find bags
(large) at most home improvement stores.

 

[LeBeauMonde]

Get organic top soil. You can find bags
(large) at most home improvement stores.

even if they have perlite? I thought that was a major no?

 

[Beck]

I'm sure you know this, but just in case, the bricks expand with water -- one brick makes 6-7 liters of substrate.

Don't want you panicking if you have enough substrate already!

I buy plain top soil from Walmart -- Scott's Premium Top Soil. I believe I've seen it at Lowe's as well. I find anything that isn't "top soil" usually has perlite or manure in it. I buy Mosser Lee's long-fibered sphagnum moss from Home Depot.

 

[Cetacea]

Lowes is the only place I have ever been able to find nice plain organic soil.