Current best pre-made tarantula substrate?

[Sab113]

Hi guys,

What pre-made substrates are do sided the best for tarantulas currently? I know I could make my own but I’d prefer to buy ready made.

I am in the UK.

i used coco fibre for my two largest tarantulas (tliltocatl albopilosus and brachypelma hamorii) but it seems to stagnate. (Yes the enclosure has enough ventilation)

I have seen people use reprisal, spider life etc - any opinions welcome!

 

[viper69]

Cocofiber or topspoil- I dont see the need to buy so-called T, or exotic animal subs. I get mine from botanical supply companies for cheaper than pet stores.

 

[Andrew Clayton]

Hi guys,

What pre-made substrates are do sided the best for tarantulas currently? I know I could make my own but I’d prefer to buy ready made.

I am in the UK.

i used coco fibre for my two largest tarantulas (tliltocatl albopilosus and brachypelma hamorii) but it seems to stagnate. (Yes the enclosure has enough ventilation)

I have seen people use reprisal, spider life etc - any opinions welcome!

I'm UK and only use Coco fibre for most T's, can you post pics of you're set-up, just sounds like you have it far too wet. I've had T's on the exact same cocofibre for years.

 

[Sab113]

I'm UK and only use Coco fibre for most T's, can you post pics of you're set-up, just sounds like you have it far too wet. I've had T's on the exact same cocofibre for years.

I didn’t have any issues with it for months either so not sure what’s going on.
I’ve had to temporarily rehouse into a smaller enclosure with some leftover isopod substrate until I can get a larger volume of something else as I wasn’t happy keeping them on the fibre in its current state.

My partner does most of their maintenance and overflows the water dish every 2-3 weeks, no other moisture but our home is quite humid.

 

[Andrew Clayton]

I didn’t have any issues with it for months either so not sure what’s going on.
I’ve had to temporarily rehouse into a smaller enclosure with some leftover isopod substrate until I can get a larger volume of something else as I wasn’t happy keeping them on the fibre in its current state.

My partner does most of their maintenance and overflows the water dish every 2-3 weeks, no other moisture but our home is quite humid.

Try just top soil you can gets if from B&Q and stuff in 20kg bags. Also if you're home is humid the substrate isn't going to dry out as good so maybe no need to overflow the water dish as much, just a suggestion.

 

[Ramen]

I still use coco, even if certain tarantula YouTubers say not to.

 

[Andrew Clayton]

I still use coco, even if certain tarantula YouTubers say not to.

Same been using it for years.

 

[cold blood]

There is no "best"

 

[Brewser]

One Womans Substrate is another Mans Dirt.
Who's going to Judge?

 

[Introvertebrate]

I like the slightly reddish color of any of the coco fiber mixes. It has a certain warmth to it. Purely cosmetic, I know. It's easy on the eyes. I'll use it on a tarantula's "forever home". For juvies, I'll use whatever works.

 

[invertinverts]

I'm surprised to see so many coco fiber recommendations... I like it mixed in with topsoil, sand, and/or clay but not on its own. I find it loses volume over time (even if you pack it down as much as you can) so your t either ends up with far less substrate than you thought or you have to add more occasionally. Also I could totally see it working alone with dry species but for moisture dependent species where the sub needs to hold some moisture I find something with at least some clay and or topsoil works better.

If you use topsoil, make sure it does not contain conifer products!! This is not an issue in most parts of the world but do check the dirt ingredients and give it a good sniff to see if you smell that pine scent.

As for ready made dirt, I like reptisoil for my frogs (holds burrows, holds moisture well) and the biodude has some good stuff too. Both of those options can get very very pricey and idk if they have those brands in the UK but it's just what I've used

 

[Hardus nameous]

Anymore I mostly use plain topsoil; so far none of the spiders have complained.

 

[Sab113]

I know I could get a 20kg bag of soil from somewhere but I don't drive and I can't store the rest in my flat! Happy to make more for a smaller quantity of 'branded dirt' for ease. Just thought I'd ask for opinions!

Also just realized the typo in my original post which should say reptisoil.

 

[WolfieKate]

Hi guys,

What pre-made substrates are do sided the best for tarantulas currently? I know I could make my own but I’d prefer to buy ready made.

I am in the UK.

i used coco fibre for my two largest tarantulas (tliltocatl albopilosus and brachypelma hamorii) but it seems to stagnate. (Yes the enclosure has enough ventilation)

I have seen people use reprisal, spider life etc - any opinions welcome!

I hate coco fibre, dry dusty stuff and not great in a flat. So all my spiders have been housed in pre-mixed substrate. And they all like it different! I started with spider life but it has big chunks in it which put me off.
So currently using spider shop substrate - Terra Spider. I use the rainforest and arid. Both have been good though with the smaller and tiny slings I have to sift together a much finer mix with less bits (lumps, fibres) in it. I haven’t found it expensive for my 23 spiders.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

I like to use ReptiSoil. It holds moisture well so it's good for Asian fossorials. Not exactly cheap, but it doesn't seem to get as moldy as coco fiber sometimes can.

 

[TenebrisAvicularia]

I got the Tarantula/Scorpion substrate mix from https://www.etsy.com/shop/EZBotanicals?section_id=30240307 and it works great. You can read about the blend on the site.

 

[Dorifto]

Peat and clay based TOPSOIL.

It's cheap and offers way better properties than coco fiber. Spreads and holds moisture more evenly, making it easier to maintain proper moisture levels. Has very good structural properties, so it won't crumble or collapse if it's dry enough, since the clay acts like a bonding agent.

The only time I find coco fiber or peat alone "superior" it's if you need to move your enclosures constantly, as it weights a lot less.

Only few brands offer good soil mix for invertebrates, most of them are basically topsoil with a fancy name.

 

[TechnoGeek]

I make my own substrate and it's pretty easy and it works for almost all species.

1 part cocoa fiber
1 part potting soil mix (fertilizer and pesticide free).
0.25 part sphagnum moss or peat moss

It's good at retaining moisture, porous, and doesn't hold on to moisture forever in my experience unless you like flood it which you shouldn't do with any substrate. It's also exceptionally good at holding a burrow.

I keep about 5-7 kg of this stuff on hand at all times for whenever I need to rehouse an invert or get a new one.

 

[jrh3]

I use reptisoil and coco mixed 50/50. Then add sphagnum moss. Seems to help absorb water better when the substrate gets dry.