substrate is getting messy porblem with sand/soil

turpz · 20-11-2009, 12:41 AM

hi, im new to keeping tortois's and have just get hold of my first one. im havgine problems with the substrate. iv read that i should use a mix of sand soil (40%-60%), but my tiny tort is getting so messy and im worried because its getting in his eyes. is this a problem?. also how do you keep the water dish clean, because hes getting messy in dirt then going into the water dish and geting that all muddy then he gets out wet and so even more dirt sticks to him.

please help.
thanks.

linda · 20-11-2009, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turpz

hi, im new to keeping tortois's and have just get hold of my first one. im havgine problems with the substrate. iv read that i should use a mix of sand soil (40%-60%), but my tiny tort is getting so messy and im worried because its getting in his eyes. is this a problem?. also how do you keep the water dish clean, because hes getting messy in dirt then going into the water dish and geting that all muddy then he gets out wet and so even more dirt sticks to him.

please help.
thanks.

hi welcome to sw

most people use less play sand to soil
try soil 90% play sand 10%
this ratio is less irritating to the eyes
some keepers just use 100% steralised soil
over a period of time you will find out which ratio your tort prefers

soil in the eyes doesnt usually cause a problem
sand in the eyes may irritate

with regards to the water dish
yes mine usually ends up like a mud bath

you can try to help stop this
by placing stones pebbles or pieces of slate around the water dish

torts do not mind being muddy lol lol

a_fisher · 20-11-2009, 07:53 AM

As above. FYI I use 100% organic top soil.

It has been suggested that a good way to keep the water dish clean is to put it on a piece of slate so they don't walk direcly from/into mud when using their water bowl.

sandy · 20-11-2009, 08:06 AM

Tortoises are not tidy animals, you just have to keep changing the water:0)

turpz · 21-11-2009, 02:57 AM

should there be another substrate on top of the sand and soil? i have read that there should be hemp bedding on top. but iv seen pics without this?

a_fisher · 21-11-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turpz

should there be another substrate on top of the sand and soil? i have read that there should be hemp bedding on top. but iv seen pics without this?

Soil/sand substrate is used on its own. Some people use hemp as an alternative.

Here's a little warning about using hemp as a substrate:
http://shelledwarriors.co.uk/forum/s...ead.php?t=7003

locker18 · 24-11-2009, 03:52 PM

How often does the sand/soil mix have to be changed? x

jayne2942 · 24-11-2009, 04:23 PM

Hi,
I change the sand and soil about once a month and daily just clean it.

Alistair&Robyn · 24-11-2009, 07:49 PM

You can use reptibark as well, but this is preferred for tortoises that need much higher humidity levels, like non-med species.

Caroline McI · 25-11-2009, 02:58 PM

I use all Homebase sterilised top soil, got bags of the stuff in the conservatory. Buy 3 get the 4th free. I sprinkle Aspen on a patch of it, and Cookie seems to be pretty happy with that. I do a check for any pooh's etc every day and do the big clean about every 4 wks.

20-11-2009, 12:41 AM	#1
turpz Junior Member Egg Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	substrate is getting messy porblem with sand/soil hi, im new to keeping tortois's and have just get hold of my first one. im havgine problems with the substrate. iv read that i should use a mix of sand soil (40%-60%), but my tiny tort is getting so messy and im worried because its getting in his eyes. is this a problem?. also how do you keep the water dish clean, because hes getting messy in dirt then going into the water dish and geting that all muddy then he gets out wet and so even more dirt sticks to him. please help. thanks.

20-11-2009, 07:53 AM	#3
a_fisher Member Hatched Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Nr Bristol Posts: 343	As above. FYI I use 100% organic top soil. It has been suggested that a good way to keep the water dish clean is to put it on a piece of slate so they don't walk direcly from/into mud when using their water bowl. __________________ Adam 0.0.2 T.h.b

20-11-2009, 08:06 AM	#4
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	Tortoises are not tidy animals, you just have to keep changing the water:0) __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

24-11-2009, 03:52 PM	#7
locker18 Member Egg Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Willenhall, West Midlands Posts: 88	How often does the sand/soil mix have to be changed? x __________________ Kim Two Hermans - Taz (f) & Flash (m) Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Meg Ghost Carp Japanese Koi Carp

24-11-2009, 04:23 PM	#8
jayne2942 Member Hatchling Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: WALSALL WOOD,WALSALL Posts: 567	Hi, I change the sand and soil about once a month and daily just clean it. __________________ 3 horsfield torts 1 redfoot tort 1 rabbit pond fish 4 baby horsfield hatchlings

21-11-2009, 02:57 AM	#5
turpz Junior Member Egg Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5	should there be another substrate on top of the sand and soil? i have read that there should be hemp bedding on top. but iv seen pics without this?

24-11-2009, 07:49 PM	#9
Alistair&Robyn Member Hatched Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 442	You can use reptibark as well, but this is preferred for tortoises that need much higher humidity levels, like non-med species.

25-11-2009, 02:58 PM	#10
Caroline McI Member Hatchling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Scotland, moved to Sussex (sunnier for Cookie) Posts: 649	I use all Homebase sterilised top soil, got bags of the stuff in the conservatory. Buy 3 get the 4th free. I sprinkle Aspen on a patch of it, and Cookie seems to be pretty happy with that. I do a check for any pooh's etc every day and do the big clean about every 4 wks. __________________ *********************** Love me, love Cookie R.I.P Lottie, we miss you x

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