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Old 05-03-2011, 12:04 AM   #1
**Carol**
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Default Substrate and cleaning query

Hi Everyone,
I'm sorry if this sounds like a very silly question but how often should substrate such as topsoil be changed?
When my hermans was younger he just had newspaper which I would change every 2-3 days but obviously that's not really a reasonable timeframe for changing topsoil. But what is? 3 weeks? a month? Do you scoop off any visible poos to stop it becoming smelly?
Also, what is the advantage of mixing sand with the topsoil?
Thanks for all your help in advance,
Carol (and Reggie)
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Old 05-03-2011, 07:24 AM   #2
Alan1
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if you can get them to pee in the bath tub and scoop up visible poops and old food then you should get a couple of months out it but the smaller the enclosure the shorter the time before a change is needed.

the poops dry up quite quick and don't smell as much as urine does. they eat the dry poops if not removed
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Old 05-03-2011, 10:30 AM   #3
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I would spot clean everyday - if I see a poo then I pick it up

Alan is right - it's all good if they do their business in the bath, less mess in the enclosure.

I also agree with him in that the bigger the enclosure the longer you could leave it.

With a small enclosure I'd do it every week/ couple of weeks depending on how much mess is in there.

Sand and soil should be mixed to try and replicate a more natural substrate and to avoid possible impaction from the sand
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Old 05-03-2011, 11:49 AM   #4
**Carol**
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Thanks guys that's really helpful. Unfortunately Reggie has worms at the moment so I will have to be extra vigilant of removing fresh wees and poos and then give everything a good scouring after he's recovered!
Carol
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Old 05-03-2011, 02:28 PM   #5
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Carol if he's been diagnosed and is being treated for worms then I'd keep him on newspaper until the treatment is finished.

Much easier to change and I'd do it much more regularly, maybe even everyday...
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Old 07-03-2011, 10:47 PM   #6
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Thanks Bindi I will do!
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Old 08-03-2011, 09:45 PM   #7
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How does a Tortoise catch worms if it lives alone?

Also can I ask if Hemp is a good enough substrate or should I be mixing it with soil?

George the Hernamm is 2 yrs.

Thanks Karin - Newbie to this
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