Should I water the substrate?

[Asti73]

Hi,
I have put my tortoises on top soil and play sand mix, do I need to keep it moist? I went to a reptile shop to get a bulb and asked the man there who has kept tortoises for 44yrs! He said to I shouldn't as it creates too much humidity. But Im sure I have read somewhere that you should as it would be too dry. They are Horsefields I own. Thanks

[Merlin M]

I dampen it once or twice a week!

[Suze65]

I don't mix sand in, just use top soil or top soil and coco coir mix. And damp down about twice a week as Merlin said. The substrate needs to be kept slightly moist , particularly below the surface , so when they dig down they create a slightly humid micro climate. This is important to help with hydration and therefore good shell growth. Keep it moist under the hide to create a humid hide.
For med tortoises humidity under the hide needs to be about 55-70%, particularly for hatchlings as they can dehydrate very quickly over night.