100% Sand?

[Alan1]

Originally Posted by sandy

Someone was bored:0)
And nobody in their right senses uses just sand:0)

Not quite, I'm just not quite convinced that there is topsoil in the deserts but I haven't actually been to see for myself

[becciwales]

I don't think there is top soil in the desert. But I haven't seen it either.

[Catwoman63]

No sterilised topsoil in the deserts only sand and very dry soil I would imagine, so is it so wrong to use sand? My horsfields like the sandy area next to their enclosure, although weather worn and hard so not dusty....but I would imagine the desert sand would be very dusty x

Yes Gordon we need a "both button" x

[sandy]

Originally Posted by Alan1

Not quite, I'm just not quite convinced that there is topsoil in the deserts but I haven't actually been to see for myself

How many tortoises live in a desert?
One species in the states.
Egyptians probably, but not many others.
The most commonly kept species certainly not:0)

[becciwales]

We have that Sahara sand that blows over, that's very fine and dusty isn't it? I'm by no means advising the use of sand though, I'm very new to this tort game

[Alan1]

I know that quite a lot of folk use a mix of both Bev but I wanted to know if anyone used only sand on its own - that's why I didn't give the option of both.
Topsoil pretty much turns into sand and is very dusty so I don't see the benefit of it to be honest, I used it for long enough. It doesn't hold moisture very well and when it dries out it's very hard to get moisture back into it as it has broken down into such fine particles, basically dust. Coco coir holds moisture better I have found.

There are different types of sand.. sharp, building, silver, coral etc, some hold moisture and some don't and I've come across no good reason for not to use any of them especially as some types of tortoise actually live in it in the wild. Perhaps someone would like to give a good reason for not using it?

[becciwales]

I prefer the coco coir to the soil. It's easier to damp when it dries and less dusty in general.
Is that what you use Alan? I can't say I didn't like the soil but prefer the coir. x

[Alan1]

Originally Posted by becciwales

I prefer the coco coir to the soil. It's easier to damp when it dries and less dusty in general.
Is that what you use Alan? I can't say I didn't like the soil but prefer the coir. x

Yes I'm using that at the moment. I don't think sand is such a mental substrate though whereas woodchips, newspaper, those pellet things and reptile carpet are all used by people yet are not quite found in the wild

[becciwales]

Lol. I've only used the soil or coir

[Catwoman63]

Sharp/grit sand is good it's not like fine play sand I don't mind it at all x