Eco-Earth & Sand... but why?

[Shelli]

(sorry can someone move this to products)
I have done a search but couldnt' find really why the Eco-Earth/Bed a Beast, coco-coir is mixed with sand other than everyone does it..
I had bought some Eco Earth for Olive and had it in for her for about 4 days then started to panic (but I didnt' know why) to go out and get some sand to mix in so the day before yesterday I mixed it with 30% sand..
Just wondering why I did that

Tx

 

[BigBiscuit]

The eco-earth isn't going to spoil when the torts urinate on it, and when mixed with sand, it does a good job of simulating real soil. Also, the eco-earth can hold a lot of moisture if needed. With the mixture, they can burrow easily.

 

[tortoisenerd]

The sand supposedly makes it hold it shape more for the tort to dig in. The coconut coir on its own tends to be too moist unless dried out a bit first for species like a Russian. Make sure the coir is fully expanded. Substrate is a personal choice, so even if something is popular, that doesn't mean you have to use it. Pick what is safe, and what you and the tort like. For a Redfoot, you may prefer not to use sand to keep it more moist and like a rain forest, texture-wise. Many use sphagnum moss for all or part of the enclosure.

 

[Madkins007]

Sand also helps with drainage and humidity control- the more sand, the more drainage and the drier the mix.

With my Red-foots I prefer to add sand to the mix to keep it from turning into a hard, wet mass and to better simulate the soils of their home.