Changing Substrate.

[Steve_carter]

Good day to you all.

So I am thinking of changing my substrate. My Russian tort has been on hemp since the day we got him. He gets himself buried in it and builds his own trenches and seems to okay with it but I am considering to move to top soil. (Might leave some hemp in it on a transition period) I have attached an image of what I am considering of buying.

Just looking for some feedback on the item & thoughts on the top soil.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hey, Steve, long time no see.
Personally, I wouldn't.
Sterilised with what ?
Also what's it made of ?
Some of the natural plant remains may be not good for tortoises, poisonous even.
I'd stick to coco coir, cypress mulch or orchid bark, myself.

 

[Steve_carter]

Hey, Steve, long time no see.
Personally, I wouldn't.
Sterilised with what ?
Also what's it made of ?
Some of the natural plant remains may be not good for tortoises, poisonous even.
I'd stick to coco coir, cypress mulch or orchid bark, myself.

Long time no see indeed. How are you? Keeping well?

Well that's why I thought I best get myself back on here with some feedback. It was the 'sterilised' that got me thinking. Just heard it's a great substrate for Russians. I've heard organic top soil is better suited?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Long time no see indeed. How are you? Keeping well?

Well that's why I thought I best get myself back on here with some feedback. It was the 'sterilised' that got me thinking. Just heard it's a great substrate for Russians. I've heard organic top soil is better suited?

Again you just don't know what's in it unless you get a full ingredients list.
Sometimes they contain organic materials from plants that are not good for torts.
I'm good ta, happy and busy doing nothing.

 

[Tom]

I wouldn't use any kind of store bought "soil" in a bag. As Adam stated, there is no way to know what composted material it is made of.

If you want something of that consistency, I would use coco coir.

Personally, I prefer to use fine grade orchid bark (aka fir bark) for adult russians.

 

[Steve_carter]

I wouldn't use any kind of store bought "soil" in a bag. As Adam stated, there is no way to know what composted material it is made of.

If you want something of that consistency, I would use coco coir.

Personally, I prefer to use fine grade orchid bark (aka fir bark) for adult russians.

Thanks Tom. Thinking the orchid bark maybe a substrate when he gets abit bigger. I'll look into the coco coir.

Is this a good substrate for them to dig into and do you need to mist it down every so often? Never used the coco coir.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

I use coir .
It's great for holding moisture , I mix it in by hand, misting doesn't do it for me..
It's great for digging into, but I understand that some little torts get it in the eyes and find it irritating .
Which is maybe why Tom uses orchid bark, i suspect.
Others find it not to be a problem.

 

[Steve_carter]

I use coir .
It's great for holding moisture , I mix it in by hand, misting doesn't do it for me..
It's great for digging into, but I understand that some little torts get it in the eyes and find it irritating .
Which is maybe why Tom uses orchid bark, i suspect.
Others find it not to be a problem.

That's one thing I was a little concerned about... eye irritation with the coir....? My tort is roughly just over 1year old. after looking at the orchid bark it seems to look similar to the hemp substrate?
Giving me a headache all these substrates. Not sure the direction to go in..

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

That's one thing I was a little concerned about... eye irritation with the coir....? My tort is roughly just over 1year old. after looking at the orchid bark it seems to look similar to the hemp substrate?
Giving me a headache all these substrates. Not sure the direction to go in..

Well, I don't think anyone much uses hemp anymore and I've even seen warnings about it somewhere.
I think you have to make a choice between coco coir and orchid bark.
Some owners prefer one to the other and some torts also seem to have a preference. !
You have to experiment and see what works for you.

 

[Tom]

I like coir for babies and orchid bark for adults.

I don't have a problem with the coir getting in their eyes as long as its kept damp and hand packed down. I have to dump water into the substrate. Misting doesn't do much.

 

[Steve_carter]

I like coir for babies and orchid bark for adults.

I don't have a problem with the coir getting in their eyes as long as its kept damp and hand packed down. I have to dump water into the substrate. Misting doesn't do much.

Thank you for the advice. I've gone and purchased coco coir it's arriving tomorrow. (Love Amazon prime) haha. My table bottom is exterior marine plywood 19mm.

So I shouldn't have to line the bottom with anything will I? As the wood is designed for external use and weather bartering I'm sure coir won't harm it?

 

[Tom]

Thank you for the advice. I've gone and purchased coco coir it's arriving tomorrow. (Love Amazon prime) haha. My table bottom is exterior marine plywood 19mm.

So I shouldn't have to line the bottom with anything will I? As the wood is designed for external use and weather bartering I'm sure coir won't harm it?

I have no experience using marine plywood. Hopefully someone reading does have experience and will chime in...

 

[JoesMum]

Marine plywood delaminates less easily, but it will still rot. Boats made of it are still varnished.

You cannot get out of using a liner as the continuous contact with damp substrate won't do it any good.

EDIT

I just read up. True marine ply should be waterproof, but is very expensive. From what I have seen, sealing it is still advised, but you might get away with it.

Exterior ply definitely requires a liner

 

[Steve_carter]

Marine plywood delaminates less easily, but it will still rot. Boats made of it are still varnished.

You cannot get out of using a liner as the continuous contact with damp substrate won't do it any good.

EDIT

I just read up. True marine ply should be waterproof, but is very expensive. From what I have seen, sealing it is still advised, but you might get away with it.

Exterior ply definitely requires a liner

Thank you for your input. It is true marine ply & it cost a lot more than exterior ply alone.

I have not long ago extended the table & the old pieces are outside at the moment for waste. We have had terrible weather here from rain, frost & ice. I've checked them pieces to see how they are coping & they are all fine. I have also took a section to work to dry out and they haven't even warped. It's almost like the water does not penetrate it.

This makes me think it'll be okay without a liner....? But if I am taking all his substrate out it's not going to take long to add one. To play safe. Would any thick plastic liner do the trick? Just cautious that if he digs he'll get through the liner too, defeating the object. Haha.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Shower curtains, pond liners, anything of that ilk.

 

[Steve_carter]

Shower curtains, pond liners, anything of that ilk.

Thanks Adam