Can topsoil and cococoir cause impaction?

JaySparks

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So i've been using cocoir and topsoil in a 50/50 mix. I was wondering weather ingesting some soil or coir will cause impaction.
 

Tom

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Anything can cause impaction in the wrong conditions. In the right conditions, neither of those should cause any impaction issues.
 

JaySparks

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Anything can cause impaction in the wrong conditions. In the right conditions, neither of those should cause any impaction issues.
would you recommend orchid bark to top the top layer? I noticed my tortoise nails tend to clump with soil.
 

Tom

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would you recommend orchid bark to top the top layer? I noticed my tortoise nails tend to clump with soil.

For babies, I prefer coco coir. I use a thick layer, hand pack it down and keep it damp. For adults, I prefer fine grade orchid bark.

I don't care for bought in a bag soil because its messy (Sound familiar?) and because you can't know what composted plant waste it is made from. It might be safe, or it might be composted oleander or chemically treated yard grass.
 

Maitaimommy

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I tried various soils and sands early on but didn't care for them. Where can the fine grade orchid bark be purchased?
 

Tom

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I tried various soils and sands early on but didn't care for them. Where can the fine grade orchid bark be purchased?
You can buy it at a pet store, but its expensive for a small quantity there. | buy it at my local garden center for about $10 for a 2.0 cubic foot bag.
 

Maitaimommy

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Thanks Tom. I've heard it mentioned quite a bit but I've never seen it anywhere.
 
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