can orchid bark cause impaction?

[EddieAndHannah]

I saw someone say orchid bark could cause impaction, but i’ve never heard anyone say about orchid bark causing impaction, so i’m here to ask is it true? because i’ve heard it’s great for russian tortoises. I’d like to know as i’m going to buy new substrate tomorrow and I just want to get the safest one.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I saw someone say orchid bark could cause impaction, but i’ve never heard anyone say about orchid bark causing impaction, so i’m here to ask is it true? because i’ve heard it’s great for russian tortoises. I’d like to know as i’m going to buy new substrate tomorrow and I just want to get the safest one.

Sure it can.
But it doesn't normally get eaten.
If your tortoise is eating it, you have other issues.
It's perfectly safe as well as inexpensive

 

[Maggie3fan]

I have been using fine grade orchid bark for 18-19 years and not one tort or turtle that have passed thru here has ever gotten impacted from orchid bark.

 

[Skip K]

I use coconut coir partly because of impaction worry. No matter what steps I take...our torts...especially the young ones...have two rules...1: they are immediately going to walk through their just cleaned and filled water dishes and dirty it up with substrate and poop...and 2: they are going to walk through their food first ( usually after step 1 ) knocking much into the substrate before eating . They have been able to easily pass any CC they have accidentally ingested since they were hatchlings

 

[SoCalGreek]

I have been using fine grade orchid bark for 18-19 years and not one tort or turtle that have passed thru here has ever gotten impacted from orchid bark.

What brand do you use?

 

[harrythetortoise]

I use coconut coir partly because of impaction worry. No matter what steps I take...our torts...especially the young ones...have two rules...1: they are immediately going to walk through their just cleaned and filled water dishes and dirty it up with substrate and poop...and 2: they are going to walk through their food first ( usually after step 1 ) knocking much into the substrate before eating . They have been able to easily pass any CC they have accidentally ingested since they were hatchlings

I use coco coir for these reasons as well.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Home Depot sells this.
Get the pure POTTING MEDIA. Not the one that says POTTING MIX. The mix has other things mixed in with it.
They sell two size bage. They're a few dollars each.

 

[Tom]

I saw someone say orchid bark could cause impaction, but i’ve never heard anyone say about orchid bark causing impaction, so i’m here to ask is it true? because i’ve heard it’s great for russian tortoises. I’d like to know as i’m going to buy new substrate tomorrow and I just want to get the safest one.

Have you been on FB? Those people are crazy and will ban you if you try to tell them what really works and what doesn't. Its fine to look at the pretty pictures there, but taking any advice is likely to confuse and frustrate you, as well as do harm to your tortoise.

Anything can cause impaction, but in decades of use with dozens of reptile species and thousands of individuals, I've never had any tortoise, turtle, lizard or snake get impacted on orchid bark.

 

[EddieAndHannah]

Have you been on FB? Those people are crazy and will ban you if you try to tell them what really works and what doesn't. Its fine to look at the pretty pictures there, but taking any advice is likely to confuse and frustrate you, as well as do harm to your tortoise.

Anything can cause impaction, but in decades of use with dozens of reptile species and thousands of individuals, I've never had any tortoise, turtle, lizard or snake get impacted on orchid bark.

ah ok, I was confused because someone said not to use it as it could cause impaction but I seen it’s a great substrate. thank you, I’m going to go later to look for substrate so i’ll look for orchid bark or coco coir

 

[EddieAndHannah]

Home Depot sells this.
Get the pure POTTING MEDIA. Not the one that says POTTING MIX. The mix has other things mixed in with it.
They sell two size bage. They're a few dollars each.View attachment 317901

ahh i’m in the uk so sadly no home depot here ?

 

[EddieAndHannah]

I have been using fine grade orchid bark for 18-19 years and not one tort or turtle that have passed thru here has ever gotten impacted from orchid bark.

ah alright great thanks

 

[Tom]

ahh i’m in the uk so sadly no home depot here ?

ZooMed sells it under the label of "Repti-Bark". I think ZooMed products are sold over there.

Just stay away from the Pets At Home stuff with the sand and limestone bits in it. That stuff is all wrong, dangerous, and shouldn't be sold. What a terrible idea that is. "Hey! Let's put lime stone bits in this sandy substrate to encourage tortoises to eat sand when they have calcium cravings!" Pure idiocy.

 

[EddieAndHannah]

ZooMed sells it under the label of "Repti-Bark". I think ZooMed products are sold over there.

Just stay away from the Pets At Home stuff with the sand and limestone bits in it. That stuff is all wrong, dangerous, and shouldn't be sold. What a terrible idea that is. "Hey! Let's put lime stone bits in this sandy substrate to encourage tortoises to eat sand when they have calcium cravings!" Pure idiocy.

oh thanks I will look for the zoomed brand. And yeah I agree, I got that type of substrate once and it was taken out a day later ?‍♀️

 

[Yossarian]

oh thanks I will look for the zoomed brand. And yeah I agree, I got that type of substrate once and it was taken out a day later ?‍♀️

Swell Premium Orchid Bark Fine

Fine, woody substrate that is perfect for any rainforest setups Retains moisture and can be used to raise humidity Great for forest dwelling species and amphibians

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

Swell is a UK business and prices are pretty good.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

ahh i’m in the uk so sadly no home depot here ?

I didn't see that fact.
Hopefully its something that you can get easily

 

[EddieAndHannah]

Swell Premium Orchid Bark Fine

Fine, woody substrate that is perfect for any rainforest setups Retains moisture and can be used to raise humidity Great for forest dwelling species and amphibians

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

Swell is a UK business and prices are pretty good.

thank you!

 

[KT1]

Home Depot sells this.
Get the pure POTTING MEDIA. Not the one that says POTTING MIX. The mix has other things mixed in with it.
They sell two size bage. They're a few dollars each.View attachment 317901

I recently bought some of that. The pieces were pretty large. Does it come in different sizes?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I recently bought some of that. The pieces were pretty large. Does it come in different sizes?

No.
I've used it with success in my hatchling closed chamber enclosure.
I also dump two bags into my heated outdoors night houses every 4 months for my sub adults. (It breaks down into soil after that length if time)
I'm not aware of any FINE Orchid bark out there. But it makes sense that there might be.

 

[KT1]

No.
I've used it with success in my hatchling closed chamber enclosure.
I also dump two bags into my heated outdoors night houses every 4 months for my sub adults. (It breaks down into soil after that length if time)
I'm not aware of any FINE Orchid bark out there. But it makes sense that there might be.

Thanks for the info, all good to know.

I found fine orchid bark at an orchid supply place, and it is much smaller, also more expensive.
I was happy to get the larger CHEAPER orchid bark at Lowes lol!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Thanks for the info, all good to know.

I found fine orchid bark at an orchid supply place, and it is much smaller, also more expensive.
I was happy to get the larger CHEAPER orchid bark at Lowes lol!

I guess you could chop it up as small as you'd like. All the way down to a powder. But you'll be fine with it the way it pours out of the bag. It lays down pretty flat. And you can tamp it down even more with the palm of your hand.
It really works great.
And it's nice and cheap.