Shelled Warriors Forums
 

Go Back   Shelled Warriors Forums > Tortoise Information > Mediterranean Tortoises - Information & Questions

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 22-11-2017, 12:34 PM   #1
hocky
Junior Member
Egg
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 32
Default Substrate changing timescale

I have my 2 year old Herman tortoise in a table with sterilised top soil.
My question is how often should I replace the top soil completely?
hocky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-11-2017, 01:03 PM   #2
emma_mcraf
Senior Member
Adult
 
emma_mcraf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Devon
Posts: 11,364
Default

If you maintain the soil regularly by poop-picking daily, turning it over to keep it fresh, soft and moist but not wet, then I think about every quarter. I've read people doing it every month, but I don't think it's necessary if it's maintained. I often get a trowel, and my hands and just give it a good mix. If the water bowls are wet and not just a swamp, I empty them into the table and mix in with the soil each morning.
In the summer, when torts are outside more and not using their tables so much, I don't tend to change the soil at all. I might top-up with fresh topsoil and mix it in.
__________________
Emma

Testudo Hermanni 5.12.2:Theo, Tamara, Tabitha, Harriet, Isabelle, Clara, Oscar, Hugo, Oliver, Florence, Arabella, Esmé, Aurelia, Felicia, Claudia, Atticus, Celestia, Amaris, Tristan and Clementine
Budgies: Jasper, Ivo, Otis, Henry, Louie and Luca
Doggies: 1.1.0 Chester and Lottie

emma_mcraf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-11-2017, 02:44 PM   #3
tortydat
Senior Member
Sub Adult
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 1,162
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by emma_mcraf View Post
If you maintain the soil regularly by poop-picking daily, turning it over to keep it fresh, soft and moist but not wet, then I think about every quarter. I've read people doing it every month, but I don't think it's necessary if it's maintained. I often get a trowel, and my hands and just give it a good mix. If the water bowls are wet and not just a swamp, I empty them into the table and mix in with the soil each morning.
In the summer, when torts are outside more and not using their tables so much, I don't tend to change the soil at all. I might top-up with fresh topsoil and mix it in.
I agree with Emma I hardly ever change my substrate but brush it over and pick up the obvious bits daily and also tip my water bowls into the soil unless it is soiled and stir it around a bit.
tortydat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-11-2017, 04:12 PM   #4
sandy
Senior Member
Adult
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Kent UK
Posts: 12,144
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tortydat View Post
I agree with Emma I hardly ever change my substrate but brush it over and pick up the obvious bits daily and also tip my water bowls into the soil unless it is soiled and stir it around a bit.
I agree too, and you can always change half the soil now and again if needed, rather than the whole lot:0)
__________________
< > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles
\0/
/_\

http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends
sandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-11-2017, 11:41 AM   #5
hocky
Junior Member
Egg
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 32
Default

ok thanks alot
hocky 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 11:50 AM.


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