Mexican red knee substrate idea

[JW0405]

So my Mexican red knee is getting an upgrade. For most of its life they have been on coconut fiber substrate. However for me I alway want to try and mimic an animals natural habitat as closely as possible. So I’m wondering what substrate or combo of substrate would most closely mimic their natural habitat? Tried searching it up but I found nothing

 

[BoyFromLA]

Top soil, with no fertilizer in it.

 

[DaveM]

Dirt?

To be more helpful, from photos of their native habitat: use top soil (perhaps a top soil somewhat rich in clay), maybe mix in a little bit of course sand, and add some sparse bits of leaf litter strewn over the top.

 

[JW0405]

Dirt?

To be more helpful, from photos of their native habitat: use top soil (perhaps a top soil somewhat rich in clay), maybe mix in a little bit of course sand, and add some sparse bits of leaf litter strewn over the top.

What brand of top soil would you recommend? Also what ratio of sand to topsoil should I use?

 

[DaveM]

What brand of top soil would you recommend? Also what ratio of sand to topsoil should I use?

Any brand with no fertilizer or pesticides will work fine. Couldn't say what brands are sold in Delaware, but at least you won't pay any sales tax.

To achieve maximum authenticity, it depends whether by "Mexican red knee" you mean Brachypelma hamorii or Brachypelma smithi.
For B. hamorii, some Mexican brand that digs top soil from the western foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental and/or Sierra Madre del Sur mountain ranges in the states of Colima, Jalisco, and/or Michoacán -- that would be perfect.
Then for B. smithi, you would have to find a company that digs farther south along the Pacific coast in the state of Guerrero; south of the Balsas River basin is mandatory.
In each of these options, you won't have to worry about adding sand. The levels of clay and sand will already be perfect. Good of you to check. We can't tolerate any deviations from the natural world. Got it?

 

[viper69]

I wouldn’t use sand, makes for looser sub easier to cave-in

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Topsoil is generally a mix of sand, silt, clay, and humus (not to be confused with hummus) anyway so there's no need to add additional sand.

Just get the cheapest stuff you can find (usually marketed for filling holes or lawn renewal, should just be screened for large stones and heat treated to kill off weeds) as it's less likely to contain additives, and avoid anything labelled "organic" ("organic" in this case just refers to the additives used, usually veg scraps/manure as fertiliser, and natural pesticides).

 

[Crazyarachnoguy]

Timberland topsoil!

 

[Chris LXXIX]

(not to be confused with hummus)

 

[JW0405]

Topsoil is generally a mix of sand, silt, clay, and humus (not to be confused with hummus) anyway so there's no need to add additional sand.

Just get the cheapest stuff you can find (usually marketed for filling holes or lawn renewal, should just be screened for large stones and heat treated to kill off weeds) as it's less likely to contain additives, and avoid anything labelled "organic" ("organic" in this case just refers to the additives used, usually veg scraps/manure as fertiliser, and natural pesticides).

Any particular brands you’d recommend?

 

[Matt Man]

Any particular brands you’d recommend?

Timberline seems the one most people choose. Since I know many keepers I respect use it, I would follow their lead. For more $ you can buy reptisoil.

 

[Dorifto]

Timberline seems the one most people choose. Since I know many keepers I respect use it, I would follow their lead. For more $ you can buy reptisoil.

Reptisoil=Cheap topsoil+coal but charging you an extra $$$ for nothing.

Any brand of topsoil will work, but if you want a more real look add a bit of clay, moist it and massage it gently to bond the clay with the substrate, then give the desired shape and let it dry. It will harden like the real substrate.

Ad some woods and a dry grass, to get a desert or dry look, but in reality their habitat is pretty green

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Any particular brands you’d recommend?

I'm based in the UK so I can't give you any recommendations

If anyone from the UK stumbles upon this thread and wants recommendations then I've used Westland topsoil (available from B&M or Wickes) for the last 4 or so years and had no issues with it.

 

[cold blood]

Topsoil

• cold blood
• Dec 29, 2017
• 2

 

[Matt Man]

Reptisoil=Cheap topsoil+coal but charging you an extra $$$ for nothing.

Any brand of topsoil will work, but if you want a more real look add a bit of clay, moist it and massage it gently to bond the clay with the substrate, then give the desired shape and let it dry. It will harden like the real substrate.

Ad some woods and a dry grass, to get a desert or dry look, but in reality their habitat is pretty green

I totally agree @Dorifto, some people just like the peace of mind and not worrying about contamination. Which is why I noted "For more $...."

 

[Dorifto]

I totally agree @Dorifto, some people just like the peace of mind and not worrying about contamination. Which is why I noted "For more $...."

If it worked for soo many people there is no reasons to worry about. Another thing it could be that in your area you don't have a certain brands etc, in that case it could be reasonable. But even in that case, nobody is guarantying you that their substrate is free of contamination too

Usually, the more they invest in marketing, the worse the product is.

 

[Matt Man]

If it worked for soo many people there is no reasons to worry about. Another thing it could be that in your area you don't have a certain brands etc, in that case it could be reasonable. But even in that case, nobody is guarantying you that their substrate is free of contamination too

Usually, the more they invest in marketing, the worse the product is.

The Timberline is harder to find than the Home Depot soil Cold Blood posted. Again, I totally concur on the whole of this

 

[joossa]

If money is not an issue and if it's just one T where you don't need a massive bag of soil, go with Reptisoil. I love the stuff for my Brachypelma. I pack it down good.

 

[JW0405]

Timberline seems the one most people choose. Since I know many keepers I respect use it, I would follow their lead. For more $ you can buy reptisoil.

Do they even still make that brand anymore? Most places around here saying they haven’t had it for a bit.

 

[Edan bandoot]

Figure out what region of Mexico they're from and go on Google earth