what percentage of sand + john innes is best?

scrambled legs · 04-06-2007, 12:26 PM

hullo.

i've nearly finished building my tort table, i've learned a lot since using this forum and i'm moving on to sand and soil..

what is the best ratio to use, ... i'm sure its preference, but is there a standard ratio before i can work out whats best?

i'm using the correct sand too just in case you wondered.

thanks.,

Neil.

Dazza · 04-06-2007, 12:47 PM

normally 50/50 but some of the john innes can be sandy anyway !!

04-06-2007, 01:53 PM

i use 40% play sand & 60% top soil

**sarah** · 04-06-2007, 02:05 PM

I tend to use more top soil than sand like Linda.

04-06-2007, 02:18 PM

Hi, we also use a 60/40 ratio of soil to sand

tortoiseguy · 04-06-2007, 07:15 PM

We used 50/50 but it got very dusty and dry so we now do 40% sand 60% top soil

**sarah** · 04-06-2007, 08:25 PM

I also use a layer of hemp on top. Because i find that they walk in their water bowl then get soil stuck to them.

scrambled legs · 04-06-2007, 08:41 PM

that sounds great to me, .. i did 60 soil 40 sand.

the torts have had about an hour in the new table. i noticed the difference in the behaviour of the shy one immediately, he's walking about, . really active! it was really worth making. it seems they are both instantly comfortable.

there is loads of soil in the water, however this is always changed regularly.

one of the leopards doesn't seem to let the other eat, she'll park herself in front of her and sit on the greens so the other can't get any. Ive gone for the option of seperate feeding now, i'll take the dominant one out and leave the smaller one in each time, that way they both get fed.

here are some pictures.

nina · 04-06-2007, 09:56 PM

If you are using John Innes, use John Innes no. 1, as no. 2 and no.3 will have fertilizer added. Personally I'd use topsoil instead of John Innes (you can buy it in bags at any garden centre).

tortoiseguy · 04-06-2007, 10:35 PM

We just buy the top soil and B & Q and it costs less as well, bonus!

04-06-2007, 12:26 PM	#1
scrambled legs Member Hatched Join Date: May 2007 Location: suffolk Posts: 413	what percentage of sand + john innes is best? hullo. i've nearly finished building my tort table, i've learned a lot since using this forum and i'm moving on to sand and soil.. what is the best ratio to use, ... i'm sure its preference, but is there a standard ratio before i can work out whats best? i'm using the correct sand too just in case you wondered. thanks., Neil.

04-06-2007, 12:47 PM	#2
Dazza Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2,486	normally 50/50 but some of the john innes can be sandy anyway !! __________________ www.inkaproducts.co.uk www.megaray.co.uk

04-06-2007, 02:05 PM	#4
sarah Administrator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle-Under-Lyme Posts: 11,914	I tend to use more top soil than sand like Linda. __________________ Click: www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk STRUGGLING TO FIND WEEDS? LOOK AT OUR DRIED WEEDS 'READY TO FEED' Home of 'Grow Your Own Food' Bearded Dragon, Tortoise, Rabbit, Hamster seed mixes from 89p FREE POST Livefood, Thermostats, Housing, Heating, Mercury Vapour bulbs, UVB etc etc CHEAP PRICES TORTOISES ARE MY PASSION

04-06-2007, 08:25 PM	#7
sarah Administrator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle-Under-Lyme Posts: 11,914	I also use a layer of hemp on top. Because i find that they walk in their water bowl then get soil stuck to them. __________________ Click: www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk STRUGGLING TO FIND WEEDS? LOOK AT OUR DRIED WEEDS 'READY TO FEED' Home of 'Grow Your Own Food' Bearded Dragon, Tortoise, Rabbit, Hamster seed mixes from 89p FREE POST Livefood, Thermostats, Housing, Heating, Mercury Vapour bulbs, UVB etc etc CHEAP PRICES TORTOISES ARE MY PASSION

04-06-2007, 08:41 PM	#8
scrambled legs Member Hatched Join Date: May 2007 Location: suffolk Posts: 413	that sounds great to me, .. i did 60 soil 40 sand. the torts have had about an hour in the new table. i noticed the difference in the behaviour of the shy one immediately, he's walking about, . really active! it was really worth making. it seems they are both instantly comfortable. there is loads of soil in the water, however this is always changed regularly. one of the leopards doesn't seem to let the other eat, she'll park herself in front of her and sit on the greens so the other can't get any. Ive gone for the option of seperate feeding now, i'll take the dominant one out and leave the smaller one in each time, that way they both get fed. here are some pictures. __________________ Neil.

04-06-2007, 01:53 PM	#3
aprillinda Guest Posts: n/a	i use 40% play sand & 60% top soil

04-06-2007, 02:18 PM	#5
Glitter Guest Posts: n/a	Hi, we also use a 60/40 ratio of soil to sand

04-06-2007, 07:15 PM	#6
tortoiseguy Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Manchester Posts: 1,020	We used 50/50 but it got very dusty and dry so we now do 40% sand 60% top soil

04-06-2007, 09:56 PM	#9
nina Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oxford Posts: 2,337	If you are using John Innes, use John Innes no. 1, as no. 2 and no.3 will have fertilizer added. Personally I'd use topsoil instead of John Innes (you can buy it in bags at any garden centre). __________________ http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk l

04-06-2007, 10:35 PM	#10
tortoiseguy Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Manchester Posts: 1,020	We just buy the top soil and B & Q and it costs less as well, bonus!

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