Shelled Warriors Forums
 

Go Back   Shelled Warriors Forums > Tortoise Information > Housing

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-09-2015, 11:40 PM   #1
abbie227
Member
Egg
 
abbie227's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 50
Default Which substrate?

What is the best substrate for a hermanns hatchling? Iv read sand is dangerous? Is just plain simple soil the best?
abbie227 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2015, 07:13 AM   #2
Stellanne
Member
Hatchling
 
Stellanne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 686
Default

Indoor?.... I use coco coir for mine now. I did use just plain topsoil but found it was always 'dusty' and I was forever watering it (and it played havoc with my nails). Coir seems to hold moisture much longer. I was told once that coir wasn't too great for hatchlings as they might eat it and it could 'swell' in their stomachs but I have only heard that once and no one on this forum has made such comment, and if they have tested it out, which it am sure they have, I haven't had any problems. X x xx. Hugs x x x
Stellanne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2015, 08:45 AM   #3
Suze65
Senior Member
Adult
 
Suze65's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 6,769
Default

Coco coir is absolutely fine for hatchlings, it's nice and soft for burying into, you can mix in some top soil, this makes a very good substrate for all torts. This way you get the best of both, top soil holds the moisture better and coco coir makes it softer and less dusty.
__________________
Suze.

3 THB, Sammy, Jemima, & Phoebe
7 Marginated, Tabitha, Ptolome, Tatiana, Noah,Lottey, Lulu & Poppy
1 TGG (Emma) RIP Feb 2012
Suze65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2015, 09:28 AM   #4
Arcadiajohn
Member
Hatched
 
Arcadiajohn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: West sussex
Posts: 424
Default

Just as an FYI, we launched an organic, bio-active substraight just last Friday called Arcadia EarthMix.

As I said it is organic and totally safe. It is also supercharged with minerals and volcanic matter.

Suitable for all species as dry or live planted wet.

Just thought I'd let you know as it is such a new product.

John
__________________
John courteney-smith MRSB
Arcadia reptile products manager
MBD and reptile nutrition books OUT NOW
www.arcadia-reptile.com/reptile-care-books

Please join us on Facebook, Arcadia reptile
www.Arcadia-reptile.com
Arcadiajohn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2015, 10:29 AM   #5
Gordon
Senior Member
Adult
 
Gordon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 5,672
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Arcadiajohn View Post
Just as an FYI, we launched an organic, bio-active substraight just last Friday called Arcadia EarthMix.

As I said it is organic and totally safe. It is also supercharged with minerals and volcanic matter.

Suitable for all species as dry or live planted wet.

Just thought I'd let you know as it is such a new product.

John
Do you sell it in bulk recon I would need a fair bit for my lot.
Gordon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2015, 10:31 AM   #6
CherryBrandy
Senior Member
Adult
 
CherryBrandy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SE England
Posts: 4,259
Default

John - does it smell at all ?
And will it be going to a well know distributing site for sale.....

Abbie I use coco coir pending experimenting with new Earth Mix, I find it great for torts, it warms up nice, is fluffy to the touch, doesn't smell, easy to clean up, pick up and doesn't clump. like stellanne says I found top soil can get dusty and I found heavy. I buy Coco coir loose in a bag not the ones you water down, brick form so can't comment and without the extra nutrients as not sure what that would do if ingested. I also mix a little sand in one area and shingle just to make a different substrate to walk on, CB
__________________
Horsfields, Spur Thighed, & Marginata
CherryBrandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2015, 10:49 AM   #7
abbie227
Member
Egg
 
abbie227's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 50
Default

Thanks guys, coco coir it is! wheres the best place to buy it from? I have never heard of it lol x
abbie227 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2015, 11:45 AM   #8
CherryBrandy
Senior Member
Adult
 
CherryBrandy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SE England
Posts: 4,259
Default

I get mine from a company operating from south America - well known if you just search on the name coco coir or suss out Arcadia's new Earth Mix and feedback ! CB
__________________
Horsfields, Spur Thighed, & Marginata
CherryBrandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2015, 07:50 PM   #9
Suze65
Senior Member
Adult
 
Suze65's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 6,769
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by abbie227 View Post
Thanks guys, coco coir it is! wheres the best place to buy it from? I have never heard of it lol x
Pets at home
Swell reptiles
Other on line reptile suppliers
__________________
Suze.

3 THB, Sammy, Jemima, & Phoebe
7 Marginated, Tabitha, Ptolome, Tatiana, Noah,Lottey, Lulu & Poppy
1 TGG (Emma) RIP Feb 2012
Suze65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2015, 08:54 PM   #10
abbie227
Member
Egg
 
abbie227's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 50
Default

How deep would u recommend?
abbie227 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 09:02 PM.


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