Coco coir - amazing!

[cherylahutch]

I tried the pets at home one it's pretty good but expensive will have a look for the one at Ikea ;0)

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by ibizathetort

For all those that, like me, has spent most of their tortoise keeping lives moaning about topsoil that has bits in it, too dusty or those annoying little flies in it, try the coco coir substrate from pets @ home! Ive been so impressed with it, its really clean smells fresh and very warm, my hatchlings love to bury themselves in it. Really can't recommend it enough.

Have you got any pictures of this in your enclosure? Really interested in what it looks like when all hydrated etc?

Thanks

[yuna1971]

Me too, same question as Row. I gather they don't try and ingest it? That it doesn't cause harm if they do...? xx

[Herpard]

You can see pictures here

http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...hp?albumid=361

[pwinkie03]

great pics yea it sort of looks like compost... not much different in appearance really!

[Herpard]

Here's a list of pros about the stuff.

Copied from another topic I posted in.

When it dries out it doesn't get dusty

The tortoises love to dig in it. My Hermanns only ever dig in this substrate

It weighs less than soil so you don't have to worry about the weight if your tortoises are upstairs.

To reuse is all you have to do I scoop it up, add another brick and water.

It looks nicer than soil, soil looks Greyish next to it.

It doesn't have bits of glass,twigs,stones,plastic ect

It smells nicer than soil too

It's not very expensive, you can buy it from pet shops, online, ikea.

And you don't have to worry about the weight of it in your car either.

[Taszia]

I have just used the pets t home one nd beer again! Is this stuff all the same or are some better than others ? The one I tried this week I have taken out my torts have long stick bits stuck theyr tiny eyes theyr swallowing it and it caused poop problems so I have taken it out as it is causin problems . Is the ikea one any better smaller and finer coz this stuff is almost like stringy hay . Such ashame coz they loved burying in it xx

[Herpard]

I've never had problems with it??!

Did you put the right amount of water, not putting enough won't allow it to expand properly so you end up with big chunks.

[Taszia]

Not chunks its fine like straw with long bits in Ivor dodo just get the dodgy batch ? X

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by Taszia

I have just used the pets t home one nd beer again! Is this stuff all the same or are some better than others ? The one I tried this week I have taken out my torts have long stick bits stuck theyr tiny eyes theyr swallowing it and it caused poop problems so I have taken it out as it is causin problems . Is the ikea one any better smaller and finer coz this stuff is almost like stringy hay . Such ashame coz they loved burying in it xx

When you say it cause problems wit their poo, what did you mean? Only asking as I'm thinking of trying this and want to know all the pro's and cons.

Does anyone know if there is any adverse affect if they do ingest it?

Just want to know as much as poss before I try.

Thanks,