Coco fiber?

[MeekoTheKidd]

I’ve been using coco fiber substrate for years, but suddenly I’m seeing a lot of keepers speak out against the product. I was just curious what the negative side of it is that suddenly has people not using it.

 

[Poonjab]

Where did you hear this? My only qualm with it, is that it’s not the most stable in holding structures for fossorial species. I’ve used it for years and have had zero issues.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

What are they saying?

 

[MeekoTheKidd]

Where did you hear this? My only qualm with it, is that it’s not the most stable in holding structures for fossorial species. I’ve used it for years and have had zero issues.

There’s been a good few people that I’ve watched set up enclosures in videos that are saying things like “definitely not coco fiber” and “I never use coco fiber” but they don’t really say why? And I’ve had a few stores tell me only to use potting soil. Idk. I’ve never had any issues with it either.

 

[ccTroi]

I think it’s a matter of preference. I’ve used a variety of substrate mix in the past. I currently use top soil and coco fiber mix (80/20 respectively) mainly for the affordability and appearance. I like the dark, earthy color of top soil with hints of coco fiber brown. I have noticed, though, that straight coco fiber by itself has a far greater tendency to have white, carpet-like mold than top soil itself (I use the 3-pack brick Eco Earth).

iirc @cold blood had a big mite issue where enclosures with coco fiber and others were infested with mites. surprisingly, only his enclosures with top soil had no mites at all.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

potting soil.

Really? I don't use coco but i haven't heard there being anything wrong with it. Potting mix, however, may be a real problem.

 

[Emi248]

Coco fiber is one of the best substrates, tho it tends to collapse deep burrows and I've also heard light problems with insects on it, but Ive used it and it worked flawlessly

 

[MeekoTheKidd]

I think it’s a matter of preference. I’ve used a variety of substrate mix in the past. I currently use top soil and coco fiber mix (80/20 respectively) mainly for the affordability and appearance. I like the dark, earthy color of top soil with hints of coco fiber brown. I have noticed, though, that straight coco fiber by itself has a far greater tendency to have white, carpet-like mold than top soil itself (I use the 3-pack brick Eco Earth).

iirc @cold blood had a big mite issue where enclosures with coco fiber and others were infested with mites. surprisingly, only his enclosures with top soil had no mites at all.

Nice!

 

[l4nsky]

There are pros and cons to it. IMO, pure coco coir dries out a bit too fast and doesn't compact well enough to support extensive burrowing. On the flip side, it's pretty easy to see a moisture gradient (wet coco coir is really dark and dry is really light) and it's not as heavy as an actual soil, keeping the enclosures lighter. It's also pretty easy to spot clean. If you stay on top of bolus removal and don't overwater, it's pretty mold/fungi resistant as well. I use a generous amount of it in my substrate mixture, but it doesn't entirely fit the needs of my collection to be used just by itself.

 

[Poonjab]

There’s been a good few people that I’ve watched set up enclosures in videos that are saying things like “definitely not coco fiber” and “I never use coco fiber” but they don’t really say why? And I’ve had a few stores tell me only to use potting soil. Idk. I’ve never had any issues with it either.

Have you been watching exotics liar again?

 

[cold blood]

but suddenly I’m seeing a lot of keepers speak out against the product. I was just curious what the negative side of it is that suddenly has people not using it.

People get waaaaaaaay too tied up in substrate. Coco fiber has been a hobby staple for 50 years, and its used without issue all over the world.

Here is the truth....there are a few choices, top soil (dirt), coco fiber, peat moss or one of the commercially sold coco fiber variants (like jungle mix for example)
are all fine to use for literally ANY tarantula species. Its one of those things that is keepers choice. Use whatever, or blend them in any manner you see fit.

iirc @cold blood had a big mite issue where enclosures with coco fiber and others were infested with mites. surprisingly, only his enclosures with top soil had no mites at all.

Top soil simply dries out faster, so the mites moved to the coco fiber as it held moisture longer.

Coco fiber is one of the best substrates, tho it tends to collapse deep burrows

It needs to be put in slightly damp and tamped down tightly to hold up to burrows.

 

[Stormsinger]

I want to move away from coco fiber because I don't really like how it looks. It's a good substrate, but it looks really plain by itself. Luckily I ran out or coco fiber a while back so I am trying out topsoil for an upcoming rehouse.

 

[8 legged]

I don't use Coco fiber, but only because I have a lot of plants in my enclosures and I don't like the look. Even think the spider doesn't care, although a digger will certainly have more fun with real earth (I can't prove it, but I assume it is). Furthermore, I almost never change the earth, I still use some of them after the death / sale of an animal. So saving on the substrate is nonsense. My mix: 2 thirds rearing soil (without additives) and 1 third turtle substrate...
But as I said, I do that more for myself and the plants than for the spider. But it's really great when the substrate looks like real dirt

 

[MeekoTheKidd]

Have you been watching exotics liar again?

Haha I do watch that channel

 

[Frogdaddy]

Haha I do watch that channel

Question #1 Why? Zero educational or any redeeming value. It's like watching The Real Housewives of whatever. Gives you something to do for a few minutes, but when you're done you actually killed brain cells.

 

[MeekoTheKidd]

Question #1 Why? Zero educational or any redeeming value. It's like watching The Real Housewives of whatever. Gives you something to do for a few minutes, but when you're done you actually killed brain cells.

Just to see the spiders really lol. Pictures just aren’t the same.m

 

[Frogdaddy]

Just to see the spiders really lol. Pictures just aren’t the same.m

I get that. Videos are different than looking at still photos. I guess if you muted the audio you would get less bad husbandry from Exotic Liar.
But IMO I still think you could be more productive by picking your nose than watching Exotic Liar videos.

 

[ErinM31]

I primarily use coco fiber for my T’s. I have mixed in peat moss for species that do better with some moisture in the substrate, not that it’s necessarily better, but I’ve not had a problem with it in any case.

I’ve recently changed what I use for T’s that want to burrow (fossorial but also terrestrial slings) and started mixing in some excavator clay with the coco fiber. It makes the containers much heavier but it seems to better support their burrows.

 

[MeekoTheKidd]

I get that. Videos are different than looking at still photos. I guess if you muted the audio you would get less bad husbandry from Exotic Liar.
But IMO I still think you could be more productive by picking your nose than watching Exotic Liar videos.

Haha! Yeah I kinda already mute it simply because he typically talks about EVERYTHING random, and then a little about tarantulas lol.

I primarily use coco fiber for my T’s. I have mixed in peat moss for species that do better with some moisture in the substrate, not that it’s necessarily better, but I’ve not had a problem with it in any case.

I’ve recently changed what I use for T’s that want to burrow (fossorial but also terrestrial slings) and started mixing in some excavator clay with the coco fiber. It makes the containers much heavier but it seems to better support their burrows.

Nice suggestion I’ll have to try that out!

 

[Matts inverts]

I use coco choir or peat. I got a bail of peat and it’s taking forever to use. Coco choir is super good because there is nothing toxic or bad and way less things like plastic accidentally mixed in. I have tortoises, frogs, and snakes so I always have a couple bricks around. I haven’t had issues with mold or anything bad. The recommendation to use potting soil is bad for many reasons. You can get super cheap bricks from Home Depot or Lowe’s or any garden store for a couple dollars.