I'm new here! And a brand new Tortoise Owner/Slave

[LadyT]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for letting me join the forum

I just brought home a 6 week old Hermann Tortoise and I want to make sure I do everything correct. I'm very nervous. I have never had a Tortoise before only a Red Eared Slider Turtle. I still have her and she is now 11 years old. I got her as a hatchling.

Anyways, I want to switch my little Tort over to a different Substrate. He/She is currently on Bark Chips and they are really dusty. I would like to switch to top soil but I am confused about which type? I know it cannot have fertilizers in it but what about fish fertilizer? Is that still bad?

Oh just a bit of an intro. I am 39 years old, married, no kids just pets. We have 2 rabbits and 4 guinea pigs that live outside and in a shed/barn. I'm allergic to their hay and dander - the guinea pigs. And of course, the red eared slider Lady Thompson.

I live on Vancouver Island British Columbia Canada... and work in health care.
Well, I guess that is all for now!

If someone can advise about the top soil that would be great. Thanks!

[emma_mcraf]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on buying your new little tortoise. Hermanns are wonderful
I have a rabbit and two guineas and am allergic to them and their hay too! Tortoises make lovely non-allergenic pets.
Ensure your topsoil is sterilised and it should be okay. I'm in the UK so can't advise the best store to buy it from.
Photos of your new tort and your slider would be great.

[becciwales]

Hi and welcome, I too have Hermanns They're fab. xx

[fifi and the flowertorts]

Hi and welcome to you and your gorgeous tort xx

[lonelylayla]

Hello and welcome from me too

[Merlin M]

Hello and welcome!

[LadyT]

Hi Everyone
My little Tort is up and about today. He is so cute! I still haven't picked out a name.
I'm setting up a new environment for him. It is bigger than the rubber maid container he is currently in. It is a old guinea pig cage I have. Plastic bottom and wire top. I have bought some top soil and am currently sterilizing it in the oven on some pans. LOL.

And I have bought some sand to mix with it. I also bought terra cots pot and saucers, for food and hiding places.

I gave him a little bath this morning for ten minutes in lukewarm water and then after he ate. Then he had a wander about and ate again. Another wander about and he ate again.

Now he is walking around investigating everything.

Here is a picture of my 11 year old slider named Lady Thompson. I Just moved her outside in her stock tank for the spring/summer. That is my husband in the background.

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[becciwales]

Oh, she's lovely, I have mine torts in indoor guinea pig cages too x

[LadyT]

Originally Posted by becciwales

Oh, she's lovely, I have mine torts in indoor guinea pig cages too x

Thank you I love her so much even though she tries to bite me all the time. lol

[lynnedit]

Originally Posted by LadyT

Hi Everyone,

Anyways, I want to switch my little Tort over to a different Substrate. He/She is currently on Bark Chips and they are really dusty. I would like to switch to top soil but I am confused about which type? I know it cannot have fertilizers in it but what about fish fertilizer? Is that still bad?
Thanks!

You live on Vancouver Island. Any organic topsoil is fine. Basically no chemical fertilizers or animal poo. Most other products are fine.
Do you have ACE hardware stores up there? Their topsoil brand is a favorite of many of us with tortoises in our area.

Welcome!