Coconut fibre safe for borrowers?

[thunderthief]

When I got my A. Seemanni I didnt realise it was going to dig such a big burrow. It goes right to the bottom of the substrate and then widens into quite a big opening at the bottom of the tank.

The substrate is 100% Coconut fibre. Today I've been thinking how safe is this? Should I have used a Coconut/Vermiculite mix? And what is the danger of the borrow collapsing on my T?

Cheers

Mike

 

[ErikH]

My g. aureostriata did something similar in its old enclosure, also 100% coconut fiber, and I had no problems with collapsing, so I would say you have nothing to worry about.

 

[thunderthief]

Thanks Erik, that puts my mind at rest.

Cheers

Mike

 

[elyanalyous]

i've not had a problem with it eather

 

[TheNatural]

just remember... coconut fiber + humidity = bad smell

 

[Katronmaster]

No trouble here with it when it comes to burrows, though it can smell a bit unusual and mold.

 

[phil jones]

yes should be ok but i can not say i notice any smell ? with my ones === phil

 

[Pyst]

Huh? Smelly and moldy? Coconut coir is all I've used for over a year for arboreals,terrestrials, burrowers and frogs. I've never had issues with it. The only way I could see either of these issues being even a possible problem is the lack of proper ventilation.

 

[bushbuster]

Yep Pyst, I agree, I have it in my tanks, they smell fresh and clean, but they are also vented well.

 

[nomadofthehills]

I've used cocofiber for reptiles, for a long time. Work in a petstore too. I've never seen cocofiber mold. It normaly smells quite nice, like after rain in the woods.

 

[Lopez]

It is the perfect substrate for burrowers IMO. You may get mold spores and mushrooms growing in it, but neither seem to worry the spider!

 

[PhilR]

Same happens with peat, Lopéz. I had some huge mushrooms sprout up in one end of my C. fimbriatus enclosure. Spider wasn't bothered at all

 

[Mizerie]

I've been using it for my H.lividum sling for about a month now.....so far so good.

 

[thunderthief]

Thanks for all the replies. I was going to order a H. Lividum this week but I think one pet hole is enough for now. So instead Im ordering a T. Blondi. AndI'll keep using my fav substrate the cocnut fibre.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Scorpendra]

just remember... coconut fiber + humidity = bad smell

hmm, i was wondering what that smell in my room was. oh, well. not really too bad in my opinion, just...pungent.

 

[common spider]

I have always used this type of substrate for all my inverts and the mushroom thing I have had that happen also and I thought it looked kind of cool in the tank and it did not seem to upset the T at all.As far as the smell thing goes those type of things have never got to me.It just smells like the earth so its no big deal I kind of like it.

 

[thunderthief]

Its funny really, but the only time I've noticed the smell (and even then I liked it) was when I had a tub I had used for mixing a couple of the blocks. I left the tub once empty in my cuboard, you could smell it when you opened it.
My only concern was that the borrow would collapse on her.

 

[tarsier]

i've used cocofiber with no problems either. ive had no experience with mold because of good ventilation.