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 #1817016


Thaa-One-And-Onlii
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 Substrate HELP PLEASE!!!!

I have a russion tortoise. 5 years old. A boy. We are currently making him a tortoise table
Does any one no any good substrates? Right now he has woodchippings is that ok?
Thank you for anyone that can help.
08/02/08  01:01pm

 #1817154


RepticTay
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   Message To: Thaa-One-And-Onlii   In reference to Message Id: 1817016


 Substrate HELP PLEASE!!!!

Woodchips are fine, mostly not for full term.

I find, the best effects of bedding is a mixture.
Maybe have woodchips in their basking spot, then have soil the rest.

Or Hemp (hemcore or aspen) in the basking, and hide areas, and soil the rest.

It depends i guess.

Many people use timothy hay, others use soil and playsand mixed together.

heres a link! www.russiantortoise.org
08/02/08  03:44pm

 #1817922


Thaa-One-And-Onlii
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   Message To: RepticTay   In reference to Message Id: 1817154


 Substrate HELP PLEASE!!!!

Thanks I might put soil in it, just soil like we have in our garden and wood chipping under its log
08/03/08  09:54am

 #1818134


RepticTay
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   Message To: Thaa-One-And-Onlii   In reference to Message Id: 1817922


 Substrate HELP PLEASE!!!!

Hey again,
Your best bet would go to a garden store and buy a compost/soil that has the following:

NO fertilizers
NO pesticides
NO stones
NO chemicals or fumes

And use that.

I highly recommend John Innes topping soil or loam-based soil.



08/03/08  01:19pm

 #1818227


Thaa-One-And-Onlii
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   Message To: RepticTay   In reference to Message Id: 1818134


 Substrate HELP PLEASE!!!!

Okay so is soil better than wood chippings?



08/03/08  02:47pm

 #1818268


RepticTay
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   Message To: Thaa-One-And-Onlii   In reference to Message Id: 1818227


 Substrate HELP PLEASE!!!!

yes very much, woodchips are dusty, and if eaten causes huge impact and bad stomach pains and what not.

The soil should dry off, before adding to the enclosure.
08/03/08  03:13pm

 #1818511


Thaa-One-And-Onlii
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   Message To: RepticTay   In reference to Message Id: 1818268


 Substrate HELP PLEASE!!!!

Okay i will use soil, you said that wood chipping will be okay in the bit they have shade will soil be better there so he doesnt eat it?
08/03/08  06:06pm

 #1819064


RepticTay
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   Message To: Thaa-One-And-Onlii   In reference to Message Id: 1818511


 Substrate HELP PLEASE!!!!

Its up to you what you have, the better bedding is soil! always will be.

However you can purchase grass turf rolls, and use that...it goes great!



08/04/08  07:59am

 #1820074


Peter Gamble
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   Message To: RepticTay   In reference to Message Id: 1819064


 Substrate HELP PLEASE!!!!

why buy soil?
go to the woods and fill up some five gallon buckets with some good ol’ dirt!
if your not planting a garden, why pay for dirt?
i never housed my torts on anything but dirt, and there lookin good!

Peter
08/04/08  11:52pm

 #1820242


RepticTay
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   Message To: Peter Gamble   In reference to Message Id: 1820074


 Substrate HELP PLEASE!!!!

Hi, the reason you dont go to woods or fields and take dirt from there because you dont know whats been in or on it!

It could contain chemicals or something that may kill or make your tortoise sick.
08/05/08  06:23am


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