An idea for the reptarium to get the substrate deeper for my Russian/Horsfield.

Vold-e-torte

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I've had an idea of how I can get the substrate much deeper for Timothy, I've just ordered a heavy duty pond liner that I can then staple gun into the correct size. This means that even in the reptarium I should be able to achieve a 10cm depth. I'll add a front wooden panel to cover the liner, and then a decorative strip to make sure we don't get any glass bashing... Although to be fair, as timothy grew up with front glass, he's just not that bothered.....

I also think this will make for hugely improved time in cleaning? So remove quite a bit of the substrate and then just lift the pond liner out.?

Thoughts - from the Tort experts?

I've included a picture of Timothy Vold-e-torte - completely asleep (to be fair, he'd done a couple of laps of the garden before this....) - He's so handsome!
 

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Blackdog1714

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Sounds good! To do a deep clean just remove the substrate and wipe down the pond liner it will last longer that way. It stiffens over time and less movement is better.
 

Tom

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The pond liner idea works, but I agree with just removing the substrate when needed, which should be hardly ever. I scoop it out with a dust pan and then shop vac the rest.

The substrate you are using is extremely dangerous and should be switched ASAP. Encouraging a tortoise to eat its sandy substrate to satisfy calcium cravings is a terrible idea. That stuff should not be sold, and I can't imagine what was going though the head of the person who thought that up.
 

Vold-e-torte

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Aug 2, 2020
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Location (City and/or State)
Birmingham, UK
The pond liner idea works, but I agree with just removing the substrate when needed, which should be hardly ever. I scoop it out with a dust pan and then shop vac the rest.

The substrate you are using is extremely dangerous and should be switched ASAP. Encouraging a tortoise to eat its sandy substrate to satisfy calcium cravings is a terrible idea. That stuff should not be sold, and I can't imagine what was going though the head of the person who thought that up.
I am changing it on the next clean. I do mist and I’ve got other stuff on order.
 
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