What are you using as substrate?

Status
Not open for further replies.

s.w.larkin

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2013
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Canada
I am getting my pen and setup all ready for the arrival of my new RT.

I have read so many different things about substrate I was wondering if there was a Consensus of what is best to use?
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
49,660
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
I don't have a Russian yet. But in reading on them, plain dirt would be my pick. My Russian when he comes next week will have a mixture of bark, dead evergreen stuff and I will be adding some dirt to that. The bark and dead evergreen stuff is just what is already in the area.
 

Cowboy_Ken

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Nov 18, 2011
Messages
17,560
Location (City and/or State)
Suburban-life in Salem, Oregon
For me, my consensus with me, myself, and I, is a 50/50 mix by volume of organic top soil and peat moss. Top soil, not potting soil. Manure free. I live in a very fertile valley, and the soil is good.
 

theelectraco

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2012
Messages
1,484
Indoors coco coir, with a little cypress mixed in...outdoors..top soil and mulch.


0.1.0 Dachshund
0.0.1 Redfoot
1.0.0 Greek
0.0.1 Crested Gecko
 

jjsull33

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Messages
646
Location (City and/or State)
Denver, Colorado
My russians get top soil inside and out, the indoor one I usually mix in some coco fiber as well, like 70/30.
 

mctlong

Moderator
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 17, 2009
Messages
2,653
Location (City and/or State)
SF Valley, SoCal
Curretly, my Russian lives outdoors on dirt/topsoil. His hide is packed with dry moss (a recent addition that he seems to really like). Any of the substrates mentioned in the above posts will work well. My advice is to try a couple diiferent ones and see which you like best.

The main thing to keep in mind is that Russians LOVE to burrow, so use something that they can dig into.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,270
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Outdoors? What ever dirt is already sitting where I build the enclosure is what I use.
 

knichols239

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
3
I use top soil and coco coir

Sent from my LG-MS770 using TortForum mobile app
 

Spn785

New Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2012
Messages
809
Location (City and/or State)
Mid-Missouri
I currently use top soil inside, but I will be mixing in some sphagnum moss before too long.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top