Coco coir

ibizathetort · 07-09-2012, 08:42 AM

I keep hearing other keepers using this as a substrate on other forums

Does anyone here use it, and have any problems? I am considering swapping from top spoil, I'm fed up of trying different brands of 'sterilised' topsoil only to find stones, twigs, GLASS, flies!

longbowassassin · 07-09-2012, 10:25 AM

prorep tortoise life is very good but difficult keeping it moist, never found anything in the bag other than the substrate either. Not used coco coir but the prorep tortoise life might be a good alternative for you if you've not used it before. Just a thought.

Herpard · 07-09-2012, 12:59 PM

It's brilliant stuff.

Looks nicer than soil and the tortoises prefer it!!

Mighty_Quinn · 07-09-2012, 03:45 PM

I used tortoise life from homebase but I found it very dry, i'm now using steralised topsoil from wickes and had to sieve it using garden sieve/riddle when first putting it into the table to take out the pieces of root, bits of ceramic and stones out of it. Now every 3-4 nights when i spray it to keep it moist i put the top couple of inches through a kitchen sieve which is finer.....it takes out alot of the stones and crap but then 3-4 nights later all the rubbish has risen to the top again, glad the topsoil is cheap!!

Might try this coco coir for a section of the table.

Easter Bunny · 07-09-2012, 04:04 PM

I've never had a problem with wickes A graded topsoil, not found any bits in it apart from maybe a couple of twigs.

It would be good to hear what others think of the coco coir though as its always good to know for a bit of a change x

Mighty_Quinn · 07-09-2012, 04:11 PM

I bought three bags and took out numerous piece of patterned pieces of ceramic looked like bits from plates/cups etc. Quinn definitely alot happier in the topsoil compared to the Aspen or beech chips his eyes didnt seem as clear and had a few bubbles on his nose.......not seen anything since in his top soil.

Dexieii · 10-09-2012, 08:23 AM

I tried it but found that it grew mould easily, I soon went back to topsoil.

Herpard · 10-09-2012, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dexieii

I tried it but found that it grew mould easily, I soon went back to topsoil.

I used it for over 1 year and it never went moldy.

I changed it every 8 week's like the packaging said.

07-09-2012, 08:42 AM	#1
ibizathetort Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cheshire UK Posts: 2,453	Coco coir I keep hearing other keepers using this as a substrate on other forums Does anyone here use it, and have any problems? I am considering swapping from top spoil, I'm fed up of trying different brands of 'sterilised' topsoil only to find stones, twigs, GLASS, flies! __________________ C r i s t i a n o - Ibizathetort 20 year old 1000g Female Horsfield - Eivissa 3 year old 220g Female Horsfield - Ibiza Hatchling Horsfield - Bora Hatchling Horsfield - Bossa Hatchling Horsfield - Jet

07-09-2012, 03:45 PM	#4
Mighty_Quinn Member Hatchling Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: East Scotland Posts: 500	I used tortoise life from homebase but I found it very dry, i'm now using steralised topsoil from wickes and had to sieve it using garden sieve/riddle when first putting it into the table to take out the pieces of root, bits of ceramic and stones out of it. Now every 3-4 nights when i spray it to keep it moist i put the top couple of inches through a kitchen sieve which is finer.....it takes out alot of the stones and crap but then 3-4 nights later all the rubbish has risen to the top again, glad the topsoil is cheap!! Might try this coco coir for a section of the table. __________________ Last edited by Mighty_Quinn; 07-09-2012 at 03:50 PM.

07-09-2012, 04:04 PM	#5
Easter Bunny Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 5,337	I've never had a problem with wickes A graded topsoil, not found any bits in it apart from maybe a couple of twigs. It would be good to hear what others think of the coco coir though as its always good to know for a bit of a change x __________________ Lynne x Last edited by Easter Bunny; 07-09-2012 at 07:05 PM.

07-09-2012, 04:11 PM	#6
Mighty_Quinn Member Hatchling Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: East Scotland Posts: 500	I bought three bags and took out numerous piece of patterned pieces of ceramic looked like bits from plates/cups etc. Quinn definitely alot happier in the topsoil compared to the Aspen or beech chips his eyes didnt seem as clear and had a few bubbles on his nose.......not seen anything since in his top soil. __________________

10-09-2012, 08:23 AM	#7
Dexieii Member Egg Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SE Kent Posts: 76	I tried it but found that it grew mould easily, I soon went back to topsoil. __________________ 1.0.0 TGG 2.7.2 THB www.cinqueportsrescue.co.uk

07-09-2012, 10:25 AM	#2
longbowassassin Member Hatched Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lancashire... Posts: 333	prorep tortoise life is very good but difficult keeping it moist, never found anything in the bag other than the substrate either. Not used coco coir but the prorep tortoise life might be a good alternative for you if you've not used it before. Just a thought.

07-09-2012, 12:59 PM	#3
Herpard Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Norton Canes, UK Posts: 2,330	It's brilliant stuff. Looks nicer than soil and the tortoises prefer it!!

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