Eco-Earth not moist enough?

[MD92]

Hey guys. I use mostly eco earth for both my T's, centpedes and hissing cockroaches, some mixed with plain organic potting soil to help the burrowers (H. gigas), but I've noticed that it seems to dry out fairly quickly. Does anyone else have this problem? What do you do about it? Was thinking of picking up some peat or something to mix in but wanted to explore how exactly anyone else keeps theirs moist (I mist a few days a week and overflow bowls, etc)

Matt

 

[dopamine]

I have the opposite problem with the stuff, it dosen't dry out quick enough... wish i could help

 

[robd]

Well it depends what way you go about it.

I don't feel it's necessary to mix Eco-Earth with potting soil for burrowers. MD92, I would have to assume you're using the 8 quart dry bag. It's as simple as this. Just add water. So long as the enclosure is ventilated and you have some air circulation going around, you won't have to worry about mold.

Dopamine, on the flip side I'd imagine you use the compressed bricks rather than the dry bag. That stuff does take awhile to dry out, but it's good for species like Haplopelma or really any obligate burrower, to include OBT's, KB's, etc.

Obviously you wouldn't need to keep remoistening the substrate for OBT's and KB's though.

 

[Envyizm]

The harder you pack cocoa fiber the longer it will take to dry once damp. I wouldn't advise adding ground peat to the mix as this becomes hard to re-wet when it drys out. If your having problems holding moisture in some of your more high humidity setups toss in some sphagnum moss. You can find it at any garden supply store and since it is commonly used with orchids and bog plants its often 100% organic.

 

[BrynWilliams]

lots of people mix in vermiculite which holds moisture longer, that might help keep it damp