What substrates to use?

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fenderpicks

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I got a 1 month old Sulcata tortoises.
We been using the Zoo Med repti bark

But im looking to change the substrate to something else.
I searched that many of you suggests cypress mulch or coconut coir

I was wondering if i do get the cypress mulch, will the ones made by Zoo med be fine?
If not where should i get my cypress mulch from?
 

Minority1

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you'll most likely get it cheaper by going to your local hardware/gardening stores or even buying it online. Quality is just as good if not better and more variety.
 

fenderpicks

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oh, i thought some manufacture use better quality than others...
just trying to see what most fellas here are using, so i can jump on the bandwagon lol
 

jaizei

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Is there a particular reason why you want to switch from the repti bark?
 

kjr153

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I use Coconut Coir, the only real problem I have is that the Tort gets the water really messy from it. Otherwise, I love it. It holds moisture really well.
 

fenderpicks

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I rarely see people mention they use repti bark as substrate.
So i want to try cypress mulch
 

argus333

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cypress all the way here, stays humid easy to clean and not messy.
 

Tom

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I use orchid bark (Reptile-Bark). It's my first choice now. Yvonne, one of our moderators has said she prefers this too.

Switch if you want to, but the orchid bark works well too.
 

wellington

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I LOVE COCONUT COIR:D BTW, have you check out Toms great threads on raising sulcatas? They are at the bottom of my post.he has some good threads at the bottom of his post too. Not sure if they are the same.
 

mctlong

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I'm a cypress mulch fan. I like that its not too messy, doesn't mold, and doesn't smell. The zoomed brand is fine, but the stuff at the hardware store is just as good (and cheaper).

Another good option, IMO, is top soil. You can buy a good-sized bag of this stuff at Home Depot for under $3. It holds moisture well, but is a little messier than the cypress mulch. Its good for burrowing.

Coco-coir is another good option. Very similar to the topsoil in that it holds moisture well. Its a little messier than cypress mulch, but better for burrowing.
 

theelectraco

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I would go with the orchid bark over reptibark. Reptibark is so ridiculously overpriced its not even funny.
 

fenderpicks

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The Zoomed reptibark is leaving stains everywhere.
Even on my tortoises skin, hands, legs EVERYWHERE pretty much.
Like the color of the bark is coming off....
 
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