problems with substrate

shafach · 23-12-2008, 06:05 PM

Hi all...
Am worried about the substrate i am using for the torts... Since i have had them they have had a mix of hemp and chips, its what was recommended at the time. Due to concerns about using hemp, i tried them on topsoil/playsand mix, but they wouldnt stop eating it, so i swapped back...
Have noticed that recently there has been quite a bit of hemp in their poos... am worried this could be dangerous for their insides...
Anyhow, what do people recommend to use as an alternative? my tort vet has recommended timothy hay - any thoughts on what it is like as a substrate? or should i try the soil/sand mix again?

Any ideas would be much appreciated...

Shafach

jimmystar · 23-12-2008, 06:30 PM

i too am having substrate worries , am off to the country in a few days will get some dirt and mix in about 30% sand , as thats what seems to be the most popular thing , but it is a worry when they eat it , i was silly enough to use gravel once too untill i saw it eating it so i am going for the dirt/sand combo .

Kirkie · 23-12-2008, 07:33 PM

Hi Shafach,

I've been using a layer of readi grass over the soil for my Hermanns. They have a nibble of it and it makes their poo easier to spot

Had to take the readi grass out as I'm winding them down and was concerned about them eating it but it'll be back in there when they wake up.

I've also got hold of some really big, flat pieces of cork bark 3 foot by 1 foot and I've been using this , its a "feature" but you don't lose any floor space. They spend most of their time climbing over this when their up. It's easy to keep clean you just soak it in boiling water and let it dry out.

shafach · 23-12-2008, 08:14 PM

Thanks Jimmy and Kirkie for your suggestions... will have to get some of the readigrass - have heard others mentioning it... have got pebbles and cork bark in their enclosure, will take a deep breath and try them on the soil/sand mix tomorrow and see how they go...

Paulg1 · 24-12-2008, 03:00 AM

I use timothy hay/soil mix/cypris mulch. So far no problems. If your guys eat their substrate you may want to go with just the readigrass or timothy.

23-12-2008, 06:05 PM	#1
shafach Member Juvenile Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 795	problems with substrate Hi all... Am worried about the substrate i am using for the torts... Since i have had them they have had a mix of hemp and chips, its what was recommended at the time. Due to concerns about using hemp, i tried them on topsoil/playsand mix, but they wouldnt stop eating it, so i swapped back... Have noticed that recently there has been quite a bit of hemp in their poos... am worried this could be dangerous for their insides... Anyhow, what do people recommend to use as an alternative? my tort vet has recommended timothy hay - any thoughts on what it is like as a substrate? or should i try the soil/sand mix again? Any ideas would be much appreciated... Shafach __________________ Shafach two hermanns - Mikey and Ralph two moggies -Kenny and Roisin one hamster -Trev

23-12-2008, 08:14 PM	#4
shafach Member Juvenile Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 795	Thanks Jimmy and Kirkie for your suggestions... will have to get some of the readigrass - have heard others mentioning it... have got pebbles and cork bark in their enclosure, will take a deep breath and try them on the soil/sand mix tomorrow and see how they go... __________________ Shafach two hermanns - Mikey and Ralph two moggies -Kenny and Roisin one hamster -Trev

24-12-2008, 03:00 AM	#5
Paulg1 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,116	I use timothy hay/soil mix/cypris mulch. So far no problems. If your guys eat their substrate you may want to go with just the readigrass or timothy. __________________ 0.1.0 G. sulcata/Larry 0.1.0 G. pardalis babcocki/Leo 1.0.0 G. pardalis pardalis/Tino "Stop the world, I want to get off!"

23-12-2008, 06:30 PM	#2
jimmystar Member Egg Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 80	i too am having substrate worries , am off to the country in a few days will get some dirt and mix in about 30% sand , as thats what seems to be the most popular thing , but it is a worry when they eat it , i was silly enough to use gravel once too untill i saw it eating it so i am going for the dirt/sand combo .

23-12-2008, 07:33 PM	#3
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Hi Shafach, I've been using a layer of readi grass over the soil for my Hermanns. They have a nibble of it and it makes their poo easier to spot Had to take the readi grass out as I'm winding them down and was concerned about them eating it but it'll be back in there when they wake up. I've also got hold of some really big, flat pieces of cork bark 3 foot by 1 foot and I've been using this , its a "feature" but you don't lose any floor space. They spend most of their time climbing over this when their up. It's easy to keep clean you just soak it in boiling water and let it dry out.

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