Bedding causing problems

dl450

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I have My hermanns on an eco earth mix with some top soil and whenever he goes to his water dish he always pushes a lot of the bedding in it and I was wondering could that cause impaction and if so how do I prevent it
(He also gets it on his food)
 

JoesMum

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A picture of the floor of the enclosure with the dish would help.

Substrate doesn't tend to get drunk by accident. It's the deliberate eating of mouthfuls of the stuff that's a problem particularly with sand or larger pieces of bark.

Substrate does get dragged into the water dish, you can reduce it by making sure your substrate is damp (not wet) and firm it down with your hand. Surrounding the dish with rocks or slate pushed down to make a hard surface round the dish can help too.
 

dl450

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Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Messages
18
A picture of the floor of the enclosure with the dish would help.

Substrate doesn't tend to get drunk by accident. It's the deliberate eating of mouthfuls of the stuff that's a problem particularly with sand or larger pieces of bark.

Substrate does get dragged into the water dish, you can reduce it by making sure your substrate is damp (not wet) and firm it down with your hand. Surrounding the dish with rocks or slate pushed down to make a hard surface round the dish can help too.
 

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JoesMum

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The dish you have is designed for reptiles but not tortoises. It's hard for them to use and is a tipping hazard. Use a terracotta plant saucer for water and a piece of flat rock or slate (or even the back of a bathroom tile) as a food plate which will also help to keep your tort's beak worn down.

Make sure your substrate is damp - take everything out, tip in some water and mix it thoroughly with your hands. Do it a little at a time so you don't end up with mud. Firm the damp substrate down.

Push the plant saucer into the substrate so it's level with the substrate. Surround it with those rocks you have in the corner :)
 

dl450

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Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Messages
18
The dish you have is designed for reptiles but not tortoises. It's hard for them to use and is a tipping hazard. Use a terracotta plant saucer for water and a piece of flat rock or slate (or even the back of a bathroom tile) as a food plate which will also help to keep your tort's beak worn down.

Make sure your substrate is damp - take everything out, tip in some water and mix it thoroughly with your hands. Do it a little at a time so you don't end up with mud. Firm the damp substrate down.

Push the plant saucer into the substrate so it's level with the substrate. Surround it with those rocks you have in the corner :)
Thanks for the advice means a lot :)
 

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