Shelled Warriors Forums
 

Go Back   Shelled Warriors Forums > Tortoise Information > Evolving Husbandry

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 13-01-2018, 05:37 PM   #1
leanneb85
Junior Member
Egg
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1
Default coco coir

I've decided to use coco coir for my russian tortoise as im fed up of top soil as the last 3 batches have been riddled with fly eggs. i've bought the canna coco coir in a bag does this need soaking or is it already damp enough?
leanneb85 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-01-2018, 02:01 PM   #2
Alan1
Super Moderator
Adult
 
Alan1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Sunny Scotland
Posts: 21,512
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by leanneb85 View Post
I've decided to use coco coir for my russian tortoise as im fed up of top soil as the last 3 batches have been riddled with fly eggs. i've bought the canna coco coir in a bag does this need soaking or is it already damp enough?
I've never tried that type nor heard of it but I used to get the blocks from IKEA that were about £2 or something and called Kokosnot and when you soaked them they expanded massively. I would say if it's damp it will be ok, you can always spray it with water afterwards anyway. I don't know if IKEA still sells it
Alan1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-01-2018, 11:07 AM   #3
CherryBrandy
Senior Member
Adult
 
CherryBrandy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SE England
Posts: 4,259
Default

welcome Leanne, and rusky tort,

yes canna is good make - no additives. Some coco can come in bricks and you soak them to rehydrate and disperse it - canna doesn't usually , its loose soil. the soaking you may be thinking of is the misting each day to gain the humidity - you would have to do this regardless if top soil or coco coir as the humidity needs maintaining daily. Hope that helps. apologies if it is a brick constituted product ! you would see the difference definitely. your first 5 posts are sanitised / filtered so delays will occur after that you are live time posting, CB
__________________
Horsfields, Spur Thighed, & Marginata
CherryBrandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16-01-2018, 03:40 PM   #4
Ozric Jonathan
Senior Member
Adult
 
Ozric Jonathan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: West of Scotland
Posts: 4,226
Default

Hi there

The flies might not be specific to topsoil as I've had some nuisance with tiny flies that were living in coir. I use the blocks that expand on soaking and have not tried canna. When the tiny flies problem started I thought I might be plagued with them permanently but this didn't happen and most of time they are not there.

I really like the coir for a load of reasons including it is not full of bits of plastic and glass. Bagged topsoil, even from a good source, can contain all kinds of junk. The garden centres etc. expect us not to notice which we wouldn't if we were putting the topsoil in the garden.
__________________
Testudo Hermanni Hermanni (Corse) tortoises
Ozric Jonathan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-01-2018, 09:58 PM   #5
sky
Senior Member
Adult
 
sky's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: South Wales
Posts: 2,901
Default

I use amix of top soil ( I prefer wilkinson but) and coir find it mixes well and nice texture for torts.
__________________
Kayx
2.7.4 THB
0.3.0 Gpigs
1 grumpy husband
sky is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:35 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.