Spot cleaning and full Clean

This weekend I have got my two adult tortoises that my friends parents no longer wanted, and have them in the inside enclosure, I am using the hemp type substrate,wood chippings(from the reptile centre) and special soil.
How often do I need to change the substrate? I am going to do spot cleans every day by removing uneaten food,change the water etc. How do I check for their poo? I have read on forums that this has to be removed but mine seem to dig and then do it, trying to see it in the substrate seems to be hard can anyone help?
Thanks

Carl

[Alan1]

If you bathe them every morning and for long enough then they very often do it in the bath or within a few minutes of taking them out of it. I only use top soil in the enclosure and can usually see if they've 'made a drop' but after a few laps of the track it gets covered over with soil but you can still often tell what it is by the shape of it.

Usually in the enclosure mine tend to do it in the same area, near the lamps and often within minutes of each other but not always.

I change the soil about once a month but others wait longer than that because it depends on what size the enclosure is, a smaller one will need to be and be easier to clean out more often.

Edit> I'm not sure that it HAS to be removed, I'd think it's just that if you can spot it then remove it just for the sake of it. They pee huge amounts at a time, best if they can do that in the bath instead of stinking out the enclosure

[anna m]

I clean mine every 6 weeks, empty the pit, put the soil in plastic tub then reuse for plants. You will get to know the size and shape of the solids you need to remove

Thanks I was going to do mine every four weeks if not before, the guy in my local reptile shop said every week? is this right or is he just trying to make money on the hemp and bark substrate I bought from him?

[anna m]

Not sure about hemp and bark (That might be right) I use top soil

[Alan1]

The Tortoise Trust recommends 50/50 topsoil and sand but many people have found it to be too much sand and just use topsoil. This is from the TT website

Substrates
A suitable substrate, or terrarium ground
cover material, for Mediterranean tortoise
enclosures indoorsmay be provided bymixing
soft (play) sand with topsoil at an approximate
50/50 ratio. This is easy to keep clean, is safe
and non-flammable, and we have used it with
complete success for very many years. Such a
substrate should be at least 50 mm (2”) deep
for small tortoises, and 75 mm (3”) deep for
larger tortoises. This will allow then to partially
bury themselves if desired, thereby stabilising
their temperature and reducing fluid loss
from evaporation. In addition, a covered
shelter should also be included as this helps
with thermoregulation and the creation of
appropriate micro climates. A feeding area of
easy-to-clean tiles will prevent the substrate
adhering to the food and will greatly assist
with maintaining hygiene. These tiles can be
removed and washed daily.
Substrates made of hemp, bark,
commercial reptile sand or wood chips should
not be used as all of these have been repeatedly
associated with deaths due to impaction or
toxicity.We have been using this type of opentopped
‘tortoise table’ indoor habitat for many
years now, andwe are completely satisfied that
they offer a safe, humane and effective
environment that is far better than that which
can easily be achieved using traditional glass or
wooden tank type vivariumsystems.

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/Downloa...toises_web.pdf

I am confused as I have read elsewhere not to use sand as it is bad for them in an enclosure. If hemp substrate is bad why do all the shops sell it and even house there own in it? I used a hemp, reptile bark and a special soil husk pack that expanded in water. They seem happy enough and dig into it. With the soil does this not get too wet with their pee! Does it not get in their nose etc?
what do you suggest?

[anna m]

Use topsoil. There can be a problem with hemp if they swallow it

[lindso3000]

What type of tortoises are they?
For my horsfields and Herman I use sand soil mix and in their bedding part I use hemp or readigrass. Reptibark can become expensive so mayb worth sticking to the sand soil as it's more natural for them also. But it depends on the type of tortoise

[Alan1]

Originally Posted by barney

I am confused as I have read elsewhere not to use sand as it is bad for them in an enclosure. If hemp substrate is bad why do all the shops sell it and even house there own in it?

To make money, they are in business to make money. They will also try to sell you a vivarium when you buy a tort for the same reason.

I used a hemp, reptile bark and a special soil husk pack that expanded in water. They seem happy enough and dig into it.

They might seem happy but they are natural diggers so they will dig anyway. They will seem happy to dig in soil too.

With the soil does this not get too wet with their pee! Does it not get in their nose etc?

It doesn't get any wetter than hemp or bark, bark holds moisture and is used for planting orchids because it takes so long to dry out.
Does soil get up their nose? They live in it in the wild so they must can handle it.

what do you suggest?

I use topsoil and no sand. Four 25l bags for £10 in B&Q just now. I don't know how that compares with other substrates but it's quite cheap I think, and natural