Good cheap substrate?

[TuckerDucker]

My dude's about to get a BIG upgrade from a Rubbermaid tub to a 5x6 enclosure (he's still a baby so the tub is fine, but I wanted to move him into something that will last a few years so I don't have to think about it.)
For his tub I've been using coconut soil from pet stores and cypress mulch, but it'd be super expensive to fill a 5x6 with what I've been using.
Would top soil be okay? Any recommended brands?
Thanks

 

[Toddrickfl1]

Cypress mulch, it's about $3 a bag at home depot.

 

[drew54]

My dude's about to get a BIG upgrade from a Rubbermaid tub to a 5x6 enclosure (he's still a baby so the tub is fine, but I wanted to move him into something that will last a few years so I don't have to think about it.)
For his tub I've been using coconut soil from pet stores and cypress mulch, but it'd be super expensive to fill a 5x6 with what I've been using.
Would top soil be okay? Any recommended brands?
Thanks

You can get coco coir 8qt bags at lows for $4 a bag. Top soil I wouldn't buy it from anywhere because you don't know what's in it. I would just use your yard soil if its chemical free.

You will have to post pics!

 

[TuckerDucker]

Thank you guys!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Orchid bark isn't as cheap. But you can spot clean it. And keep it for many, many months. So it's actually economical.