Substrate preference poll

[Kumo Punch]

I use 100% peat. Have not tried anything else but this has worked for me so far so see no need to change. Its soft, works well with moisture, good for burrowers, etc. In the future I may try some mixes though just to experiment.

 

[Zoltan]

My fav substrate is peat moss and potting soil 50% each. Sometimes I add some bark chips (non-toxic ones, made for terrariums incl. tarantulas cages), it adds to the look and sometimes they use it in their web, which looks great.

 

[AubZ]

I only use 100% peat. I would love to try and see the coco fibre as I have never seen in available here and everyone keeps giving good feedback on it.
I have never had any problems to date with using Peat and I use it for all my T's.

 

[samsbugs]

Peat just seems to be the best.

 

[Venom]

I use 100% sphagnum peatmoss for most spiders, except for my desert C.cyano. For her, I have a mix of sand and peatmoss, of approximately 60% peat, 40% sand.

 

[loxoscelesfear]

doesn't potting soil have fertilizer / chemicals in it? top soil supposedly does not. i have been sold on cocoa fiber or peat so i don't even to worry about it.

 

[GForce14063]

I use 100% peat moss but I would like to try to mix some vermiculite into the peat I just can't find it anywhere.

 

[johnnyb9999]

40% eco earth, 40% vermiculite and 20% peat moss. I must say this is my first time using vermiculite its seems to be ok so far no signs of mold and retains moisture very well. Does anyone have a brand that they think might be better then others? the brand I am trying is Sta-Green its about $3.95 at Lowes for an 8.8L bag.

 

[robc]

My vote goes for "other" - the coconut fiber EcoEarth.

All of my substrate is eco-earth, all of my backdrops are ecoearth.....rob

 

[davegrimm1]

I can't use the peat becasue it gets the weird yellow fugus all through it.
I think it depends on where it comes from that determines whether the fungus is present or not. I have used the coconut in my spiderlings , but I get fugus in that too. I have used vermiculite for years with no problems, since it is a mineral and non-organic , it does not have the ability to mold unless it is way too wet and organic material is also mixed in.
The best thing that I have found is a locally made organic potting soil which consists of fir bark dust , peat and perlite, plus I mix in the vermiculite.

I have never had problems of any kind with this mixture.

 

[presurcukr]

100% Eco-Earth for all my T's little to no mold problems:clap:

 

[hardlucktattoo]

I am a peat moss kinda guy but I am thinking of swithching to vermiculite for my aborreals

 

[Tobarnis]

Coir.......

 

[ShellsandScales]

vermiculite dust can cause cancer. Have fun with that. Perilite give the benefits of vermiculite without the carcinogens!

 

[Texas Blonde]

I use dirt from my yard. Our soil composition is a mix of sand, clay, and caliche. Mostly sand.

 

[ThistleWind]

My vote goes for "other" - the coconut fiber EcoEarth.

One more vote for Eco-Earth here.

 

[Luke Anthony]

My vote is for eco potting soil or peat moss

 

[dannax]

I just switched all my T's to straight peat moss and I honestly think they like it much better. It seems as though it's going to be great for burrowing! I had a potting soil/peat moss mix and it just seemed too much like dirt and my OBT just didn't burrow. I also noticed it hardened up around the water dish, when it got wet. I would imagine it was the potting soil.

I would definitely say 100% peat moss is the way to go...

 

[Kamikaze]

I use 100% slightly damp cocopeat substrate on most of my T's
For my Brachypelma and Aphonopelma sp, I use dry cocopeat substrate.

 

[Remigius]

Coconut fiber. I'm gonna use some natural substrate, if I need to have it dry.