What do You use for Subtrate?

[Alyssadaunvoit]

I have 2 pretty fully grown Russian torts and I have been told that a mix of top soil (dirt) and play sand works good. I have been doing the 50/50 mix for quite some time now but I'm curious if that's a good substrate?

What do you use?

 

[CourtneyAndCarl]

Top soil mixed with play sand is a good substrate, except I've been told the mix should be more like 70/30 or 80/20, with way more top soil. Sand can get really dusty which can be bad for the torts, even when it's mixed with top soil.

The only real benefits of mixing the sand into the top soil at all is to add a little traction, the sand helps it clump easier, which torts just love for digging in

My indoor enclosure has a mix of probably 60/30/10 with coco coir being the main "ingredient", then top soil and sand. The coco coir helps keep in moisture. My outdoor enclosure is all organic gardening soil, with a thin layer of cypress mulch on top. The cypress mulch is also a huge help for keeping in humidity, I may add some to my indoor enclosure soon, and it also helps me tell where my baby tort has been digging

 

[Alyssadaunvoit]

Top soil mixed with play sand is a good substrate, except I've been told the mix should be more like 70/30 or 80/20, with way more top soil. Sand can get really dusty which can be bad for the torts, even when it's mixed with top soil.

The only real benefits of mixing the sand into the top soil at all is to add a little traction, the sand helps it clump easier, which torts just love for digging in

My indoor enclosure has a mix of probably 60/30/10 with coco coir being the main "ingredient", then top soil and sand. The coco coir helps keep in moisture. My outdoor enclosure is all organic gardening soil, with a thin layer of cypress mulch on top. The cypress mulch is also a huge help for keeping in humidity, I may add some to my indoor enclosure soon, and it also helps me tell where my baby tort has been digging

Thank you! Good info! I'm going to build a new tortoise table so I'll use fresh substrate with a higher top soil in the mix!

I'm always just on the lookout to make sure I'm doing the right things

 

[wellington]

The biggest reason to not use a lot of sand is it can cause an impaction. Thats why it should always be mixed with something else. I have a leopard and I use only the coconut coir. I like it the best as it holds humidity the best and won't mold. However, my leopard needs more humidity then a Russian.

 

[Alyssadaunvoit]

The biggest reason to not use a lot of sand is it can cause an impaction. Thats why it should always be mixed with something else. I have a leopard and I use only the coconut coir. I like it the best as it holds humidity the best and won't mold. However, my leopard needs more humidity then a Russian.

Yeah, I ran into that problem previously of it being to humid for my torts! I didn't know that info about sand though! Thanks! I'll definitely make sure to put more top soil in

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

100% coco coir.

 

[mctlong]

I really like 100% cypress mulch. I was using a 50/50 (by weight, not volume) coco-coir/sand mix and the mix got moldly and full of gnats. I have a severe mold allergy, so I had to switch. I've never had any issues with the cypress mulch, it holds moisture very well and doesn't mold. Also,it doesn't seem to attract gnats the way the coco-coir did. I'm not sure why. It does seem to attract more crickets....

 

[NudistApple]

I use 100% topsoil.

 

[Ashliewood]

100%topsoil, haven't had any problems with it, Mr. Tortie doesn't seem to have any objections either

 

[Tortoise Hub]

Are you able to keep them outside? For outside I use soil because its the cheapest thing I can find and it works great. For inside I only use orchid bark or cypress mulch. Both smell good and are easy to clean up.

 

[Alyssadaunvoit]

Are you able to keep them outside? For outside I use soil because its the cheapest thing I can find and it works great. For inside I only use orchid bark or cypress mulch. Both smell good and are easy to clean up.

Yes I put them outside when it's nice out. What makes you not want to use soil indoors? Just curious.

And I'm glad to know I have been doing the right thing

 

[Tortoise Hub]

Are you able to keep them outside? For outside I use soil because its the cheapest thing I can find and it works great. For inside I only use orchid bark or cypress mulch. Both smell good and are easy to clean up.

Yes I put them outside when it's nice out. What makes you not want to use soil indoors? Just curious.

And I'm glad to know I have been doing the right thing

Soil is extremely messy and some bags I have gotten smelled like the dickens.

 

[Alyssadaunvoit]

Good to know, thanks!

I'll definitely remember that.