Any ideas

[cpl1307]

Hi,
Since I got my russian, I have always used komodo or branded bark as his substrate and if im being honest the prices for it are getting ridiculous and also the bark pieces for some reason are getting bigger, So its taking a lot more to fill my viv up with and hes not liking it because he cant dig into it. I want to change it and wanted to see if anybody had any ideas. I cant use soil because it will rot the floor if the vivarium. Ive seen pellets, hemp bedding and ive just come across coconut chip substrate, which would be cost affective, or if anybody has any ideas of what I could use as a replacement, because its taking 3-4 bags of my current bark to fill at £12 a bag. If the bark chiping hadnt of gone so large I could use it. Any help would be great. I used to use hemp chippings, but was told to stop. Ive attached a couple of pictures of the new bedding ive found. Be brutally honest with me, because I dont want to go backwards after everything ive learnt.

 

[_The_Beast_]

Can you find coco coir instead of coconut chips? I don't think coconut chips are safe for torts (someone else with more knowledge will surely chime in) but coco coir is. I use coco coir for my russian. It holds moisture well (be sure to hand pack it in the viv) and mine loves to burrow in it way more than other substrates. You can also look for orchid bark (without perlite!). Both can generally be found cheaply at garden centres.

How often are you changing your substrate? You may be able to go longer without changing it if old food is being removed and spot cleaning is sufficient.

 

[wellington]

Stop replacing it so often. With daily spot cleaning the substrate should last a year or more.
Orchid bark, fir bark or coconut coir or chips all should be fine to use
Never soil , pellets or hemp.

 

[Sarah2020]

Assume your UK Lancashire? Another option is orchid bark I get mine from swell reptile online

Swell Premium Orchid Bark Coarse

Orchid bark is a woody substrate that is perfect for any rainforest setups Retains moisture and can be used to raise humidity Great for forest dwelling species

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

or prorep
ProRep Bark Chips,Coarse Grade, 10 Litre https://amzn.eu/d/bPA1Rfx

and change every 4 to 6 months and put it out on the garden beds when done. How old is your tort I use course for 3 years plus or mix fine and course.

 

[cpl1307]

Can you find coco coir instead of coconut chips? I don't think coconut chips are safe for torts (someone else with more knowledge will surely chime in) but coco coir is. I use coco coir for my russian. It holds moisture well (be sure to hand pack it in the viv) and mine loves to burrow in it way more than other substrates. You can also look for orchid bark (without perlite!). Both can generally be found cheaply at garden centres.

How often are you changing your substrate? You may be able to go longer without changing it if old food is being removed and spot cleaning is sufficient.

About every 3 months for a full change. When you say coconut coir, is the espanding type ok. The one you can add to water and it exands?

 

[cpl1307]

Stop replacing it so often. With daily spot cleaning the substrate should last a year or more.
Orchid bark, fir bark or coconut coir or chips all should be fine to use
Never soil , pellets or hemp.

The wood underneath the top layer is going wet and disintegrating. Especially under the waterbowl.

 

[cpl1307]

Stop replacing it so often. With daily spot cleaning the substrate should last a year or more.
Orchid bark, fir bark or coconut coir or chips all should be fine to use
Never soil , pellets or hemp.

I can get 75l out of this? Would you use it?

 

[cpl1307]

Can you find coco coir instead of coconut chips? I don't think coconut chips are safe for torts (someone else with more knowledge will surely chime in) but coco coir is. I use coco coir for my russian. It holds moisture well (be sure to hand pack it in the viv) and mine loves to burrow in it way more than other substrates. You can also look for orchid bark (without perlite!). Both can generally be found cheaply at garden centres.

How often are you changing your substrate? You may be able to go longer without changing it if old food is being removed and spot cleaning is sufficient.

I can get 75l out of this? Would you use it?

 

[cpl1307]

Stop replacing it so often. With daily spot cleaning the substrate should last a year or more.
Orchid bark, fir bark or coconut coir or chips all should be fine to use
Never soil , pellets or hemp.

Or this?

 

[cpl1307]

Can you find coco coir instead of coconut chips? I don't think coconut chips are safe for torts (someone else with more knowledge will surely chime in) but coco coir is. I use coco coir for my russian. It holds moisture well (be sure to hand pack it in the viv) and mine loves to burrow in it way more than other substrates. You can also look for orchid bark (without perlite!). Both can generally be found cheaply at garden centres.

How often are you changing your substrate? You may be able to go longer without changing it if old food is being removed and spot cleaning is sufficient.

Or this

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

The wood underneath the top layer is going wet and disintegrating. Especially under the waterbowl.

You have to line the bottom of the enclosure with something waterproof. Shower curtain, mulching film, good tarp and such.

With any kind of substrate you have to keep bottom layers damp.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

About every 3 months for a full change. When you say coconut coir, is the espanding type ok. The one you can add to water and it exands?

Usually substrate lasts for one year or more (if tortoise is soaked regularly and goes to the soaking tub and spot cleaning is done timely).

Yes, expanding coco coir bricks are fine. Just hand pack coir after putting in the enclosure.

 

[cpl1307]

You have to line the bottom of the enclosure with something waterproof. Shower curtain, mulching film, good tarp and such.

With any kind of substrate you have to keep bottom layers damp.

I never knew that. The bottom is always damp. But doing that would protect my viv. Would you ever use any of these?

 

[cpl1307]

Usually substrate lasts for one year or more (if tortoise is soaked regularly and goes to the soaking tub and spot cleaning is done timely).

Yes, expanding coco coir bricks are fine. Just hand pack coir after putting in the enclosure.

Thank you Alex

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I can get 75l out of this? Would you use it?

I would opt for this one instead of chips. Easier to burrow and walk on. And no long strands which (in theory) may cause problems when eaten.

 

[cpl1307]

Or this

Yeah i can find it easy and it would save me a fortune

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you Alex

You are always welcome! Ask any questions you might have!

 

[cpl1307]

I would opt for this one instead of chips. Easier to burrow and walk on. And no long strands which (in theory) may cause problems when eaten.

I will order it now. I will cut something to the size to go underneath

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I will order it now. I will cut something to the size to go underneath

Leave some liner for the sidewalls and duct tape it. If water gets under the liner - it will stay there forever and ruin the viv.

You will need something like 4-6 inches of substrate, so you need to protect wooden walls at this height as well.

 

[cpl1307]

Leave some liner for the sidewalls and duct tape it. If water gets under the liner - it will stay there forever and ruin the viv.

Yeah i was thinking of that. I will try that. Ive just ordered the 75l one. I think he will love the stuff to be honest. Especially for digging in