What is THE best substrate for indoor enclosures?

[Flowingfins]

I have the wrong substrate in my Russians tank(I am also upgrading him to a tortoise table, and eventually outside) it's playsand and coconut fiber mixed together. I can't come to a conclusion on what the best substrate is. What is THE best substrate for him? Thanks everyone in advance

 

[Jodie]

I prefer coco Coir. You keep it moist and it is great for digging. I top it with coco husk in the water and food area for easier clean up. Others like orchids bark too. As long as it hold moisture for humidity, it is your preference. Some use top soil or simply dirt from outside.

 

[Flowingfins]

Thanks
Where do you find the coco husk? I have never seen it in a store before.

 

[leigti]

This comes down to personal preference at a certain level. I like coconut coir The best. But in my indoor enclosure I mix it with orchid bark. it is much easier to say what is not a good substrate such as sand, pine or cedar shavings, newspaper etc.

 

[bouaboua]

Coco coil! ! !

I also use tiles but flip them over use the back side. where I put their water dish.

 

[Flowingfins]

Which is the safest? I don't want to hurt him. I know sand causes gut impaction and eye irritations.

 

[Flowingfins]

I didn't see you post bouaboua. I like the idea with the tiles. I feed him on a ceramic plate. Just out of curiosity, what type of plant is that? Do your torts eat it? Timmy attacks aloe plants and I want to find an alternative.

 

[leigti]

I think that coconut coir is the safest.

 

[Flowingfins]

Thanks leigti

 

[leigti]

I think the plant in the picture is a spider plant. I have those in my Russian enclosure. I also have pothos, and Dracaena, and Jade. Russians are notoriously hard on plants. Mine tour one right out of the pot and drug it across the enclosure you can try herb plants, the tortoise won't eat them and they might hide under them instead.

 

[WillTort2]

I like a mix of plain topsoil and coco coir. Gives good moisture retention and has enough firmness for walking or digging. Most top soil will have a small amount of sand in the composition, but not enough to cause an issue. I like to keep their food on a slate tile to avoid the substrate sticking to the food, how ever the tort will often have other ideas.

Good luck.

 

[dmmj]

You don't ask this question in a tortoise forum, it's like asking who the best super hero is in a comic book store, guaranteed to start a fight.
I also like coco coir.

 

[Flowingfins]

Sorry dmmj…
I think I'll go with coconut coir.
Thanks for the plant ideas leigti

 

[lisa127]

I really do not like coco coir. I use 100% organic peat moss. Much easier to work with and much cheaper.

 

[jaizei]

You don't ask this question in a tortoise forum, it's like asking who the best super hero is in a comic book store, guaranteed to start a fight.
I also like coco coir.

I thought this was settled last time...

 

[johnsonnboswell]

That plant looks like some sort of dracena.

 

[Tom]

I prefer coco coir for young russians and orchid bark for older ones. Plain yard dirt can work too. That's what they will live on once they move outside, right?

You can buy orchid bark or coco coir much cheaper in bulk at any nursery or gardening store. Usually the chain hardware stores don't have coco coir.

 

[Flowingfins]

He will live on yard dirt when he moves outside. I might as well use it now. Thanks guys