substrate

lskaife

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how often should I be changing out the substrate for my tort completely?? I obviously spot clean but when should i change it out completely to eliminate any chance of issues.
 

jaizei

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What type of substrate are you using?
 

cathy111111

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Hi I use coir and sterile top soil mix for my horsefields. I spot clean daily and then do a total clean and change every two months x
 

Yvonne G

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Because my only indoor habitats are during the winter, I start fresh annually, and keep the same substrate all winter.
 

Yvonne G

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Most all topsoil one buys at a nursery or big box home improvement store has been sterilized. But you have to watch for additives. You don't want one with fertilizers, pesticides or perlite or vermiculite in it.
 

Tom

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how often should I be changing out the substrate for my tort completely?? I obviously spot clean but when should i change it out completely to eliminate any chance of issues.

I never change mine, unless I move the tortoise to a new enclosure. In that case, I throw out the old substrate and I replace it whenever I'm going to move a new tortoise into that enclosure.
 

TerrapinStation

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I think if you spot clean any waste/food, you should be fine with keeping it for long periods of time, as Tom said. They can be messy creatures, but all in all a pretty "clean" animal.....

Just keep an eye out for mold/rot (which there shouldn't be any if temps are correct?) and stray food that might get dragged in to hides.....
 

Wherethetortiroam

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Depending on size of environment I would say yearly. Provided that you pick up turds tha stand out from time to time.

I guess you can't change it to often but that stuff gets pricey
 
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