ExoTerra stone desert sand for burrowers

[heering80]

Have anyone tried this product...



...for their Pelinobius muticus or other burrowing desert species from africa? I really like how it looks, and it says it's good for burrowing species (not sure if tarantulas though). Shouldn't collapse. But I'm just wondering will it get too hard to dig. It's meant to be moistened in the beginning, and that's what makes it set.

Anyhow, I have one box drying up, so unless someone says no, I'm going to try how it goes.. In videos where they search P. muticuses in their wild habitat, they are always living in a sand that looks like that.

 

[Frogdaddy]

Please keep us posted. I have not tried this yet, but I'm inter in it's use as a substitute either as a stand alone or as part of a substrate mix.

 

[HooahArmy]

I have tried this for my family's desert New Worlds who are obligate burrowers. It is a tad hard to dig, especially if your T is small; much harder than coir or any other loose substrate I've tried, to be exact. The stuff also does harden quite much over time to the point that I felt it was like natural clay-packed soil to an extent. The only way I could keep it relatively diggable was to keep it moist, and my dry-preferring species, like the A. chalcodes and T. albo, didn't seem to be too happy with the excess moisture (they started clinging to decor to keep their feet dry). When the stuff was drier as well, I likewise saw those fellows and especially the slings, struggle like mad to push the substrate around, since they were the species who liked to landscape daily. I still prefer plantation soil, eco earth, and reptisoil, due to easier digging, potential to hold moisture, comfort for dry-preferring species, and the ability to not collapse as well when the T has a decent web-enforced burrow or when it's slightly moist.

Verdict:
+ Great if you have larger Ts; not too great for smaller Ts.
+ Moves best when moist; thick when dry.
+ Will work if your T makes a burrow and keeps it that way; not preferred for burrow interior designers.
+ Can absorb moisture like a sponge if water is left to sit; better for higher humidity-loving species.
+ Seriously doesn't collapse as it promises.

 

[viper69]

There’s a good product out there - excavator clay

Saw a great video of a gorgeous European design using it

 

[The Snark]

There’s a good product out there - excavator clay

Our Minax, being excavator clay connoisseurs, seem to like 10-20% sandy loam mixed in. Helps with drainage. But near pure compacted clay doesn't restrict them from making 10 inch deep tunnels.

 

[heering80]

I have tried this for my family's desert New Worlds who are obligate burrowers. It is a tad hard to dig, especially...

Thanks for the ultimate review of this product!