30-09-2013, 12:58 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Egg
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 21
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Should I water the substrate?
Hi,
I have put my tortoises on top soil and play sand mix, do I need to keep it moist? I went to a reptile shop to get a bulb and asked the man there who has kept tortoises for 44yrs! He said to I shouldn't as it creates too much humidity. But Im sure I have read somewhere that you should as it would be too dry. They are Horsefields I own. Thanks |
30-09-2013, 01:07 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 4,186
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I dampen it once or twice a week!
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30-09-2013, 01:48 PM | #3 |
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Adult
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 6,769
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I don't mix sand in, just use top soil or top soil and coco coir mix. And damp down about twice a week as Merlin said. The substrate needs to be kept slightly moist , particularly below the surface , so when they dig down they create a slightly humid micro climate. This is important to help with hydration and therefore good shell growth. Keep it moist under the hide to create a humid hide.
For med tortoises humidity under the hide needs to be about 55-70%, particularly for hatchlings as they can dehydrate very quickly over night.
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