Tarantula substrate (coir)

[tim smithe]

hi, i just need to ask whether I can use the following coir for my tarantulas?

its in bulk and at a good price in the UK, just wanted to know in general if anyone has used this or whether there would be no harm in using this for substrate for my t's.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elixir-Gar...=1534336534&sr=8-31&keywords=coir+blocks&th=1

(https://www.elixirgardensupplies.co.uk/coir-peat-free-organic-compost-block-optional-fertiliser.html)

 

[Paul1126]

I would avoid

 

[tim smithe]

I would avoid

thanks for the heads up, would either of these 2 be okay? or would you have any suggestions as to a good value based coir in the UK please?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/COCO-COIR-...8&qid=1534423540&sr=8-36&keywords=coir+blocks

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coconut-Re...8&qid=1534423540&sr=8-48&keywords=coir+blocks

anything cheaper in bulk and safe for t's?

 

[Paul1126]

thanks for the heads up, would either of these 2 be okay? or would you have any suggestions as to a good value based coir in the UK please?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/COCO-COIR-...8&qid=1534423540&sr=8-36&keywords=coir+blocks

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coconut-Re...8&qid=1534423540&sr=8-48&keywords=coir+blocks

anything cheaper in bulk and safe for t's?

I would avoid anything that is advertised to help plants grow, just buy something that is designed for animals or just plain top soil...

 

[MikeyD]

Just don’t get the optional fertilizer. Coir is coir. It’s not designed for plants or animals, it’s ground up coconut husk that is marketed for different uses. If you avoid the product that comes with fertilizer then you will have just plain coconut coir.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

I'd avoid buying anything from Amazon, period.

Try online reptile shop or internet reptile, the prices aren't that different, it's actually meant for animals, and they probably aren't tax-dodgers.

 

[tim smithe]

Just don’t get the optional fertilizer. Coir is coir. It’s not designed for plants or animals, it’s ground up coconut husk that is marketed for different uses. If you avoid the product that comes with fertilizer then you will have just plain coconut coir.

this is what I was thinking too, coir is indeed coir, thus would not be a problem using whichever? unless I am wrong.

I'd avoid buying anything from Amazon, period.

Try online reptile shop or internet reptile, the prices aren't that different, it's actually meant for animals, and they probably aren't tax-dodgers.

Thanks for the heads up, I have tried to look online for the best price available here in the UK, and have come across some eBay ones: is this alright to use, it is coir, with nothing added, plain 100% organic coir in brick form:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15-x-10L...484212?hash=item3b0d328174:g:dCwAAOSwDNdVvpYb

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/wCIAAOSwhdRYWZ7U/s-l1600.jpg)

would this be alright to use? safe for t's? it is adequately priced coir. the only difference I find in coir is that they are either branded or not (or would I be assuming incorrectly on this :?), which affects prices overall, other than that they come from the same areas of production (Parts of India) but with different labels/branding.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

would this be alright to use?

I'm probably not the best person to ask as I stopped using coir ages ago, you don't get much for your money and I find it moulds like crazy unless mixed with sedge peat, Westland topsoil is £3 for 35L from my local B&M (I think they sell it in Wickes too).

 

[buzz182]

this is what I was thinking too, coir is indeed coir, thus would not be a problem using whichever? unless I am wrong.



Thanks for the heads up, I have tried to look online for the best price available here in the UK, and have come across some eBay ones: is this alright to use, it is coir, with nothing added, plain 100% organic coir in brick form:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15-x-10L...484212?hash=item3b0d328174:g:dCwAAOSwDNdVvpYb

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/wCIAAOSwhdRYWZ7U/s-l1600.jpg)

would this be alright to use? safe for t's? it is adequately priced coir. the only difference I find in coir is that they are either branded or not (or would I be assuming incorrectly on this :?), which affects prices overall, other than that they come from the same areas of production (Parts of India) but with different labels/branding.

After using the coir I got when purchasing my first T I got more from poundland, I have been using mainly this or mixing it with westland topsoil (which i get for a couple of quid for a 35L/24kg bag from Wickes)

 

[tim smithe]

I'm probably not the best person to ask as I stopped using coir ages ago, you don't get much for your money and I find it moulds like crazy unless mixed with sedge peat, Westland topsoil is £3 for 35L from my local B&M (I think they sell it in Wickes too).

After using the coir I got when purchasing my first T I got more from poundland, I have been using mainly this or mixing it with westland topsoil (which i get for a couple of quid for a 35L/24kg bag from Wickes)

oh nice cheers for the replies, which one is it (sorry just so many are on wickes) the topsoil does not contain anything inside does it? (in the form that its definitely organic with no fertilizers added includes animal waste etc) or will this not matter? can I use the topsoil straight from the bag for my t's without mixing anything into it? or will this be optional as to mix things like vermiculite or coir into it?

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Products/Gardens/Garden-Maintenance/Compost+Topsoil/c/1000742?q=rice-asc

 

[The Grym Reaper]

oh nice cheers for the replies, which one is it (sorry just so many are on wickes) the topsoil does not contain anything inside does it? (in the form that its definitely organic with no fertilizers added includes animal waste etc) or will this not matter? can I use the topsoil straight from the bag for my t's without mixing anything into it? or will this be optional as to mix things like vermiculite or coir into it?

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Products/Gardens/Garden-Maintenance/Compost+Topsoil/c/1000742?q=rice-asc

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Westland-Top-Soil---35L/p/145524 (£2 for 35L) is the stuff I use, it's just screened, no fertilisers etc.

You actually want to avoid anything labelled "organic" as it likely contains manure and vegetable scraps which turns it into a mould/pest factory, just get the cheapest topsoil you can find (not compost)

You can use it straight or mix it with other substrates, I mix it with sedge peat and vermiculite

 

[Vandertern]

I mix it with sedge peat and vermiculite

Can I ask why you mix the substrates up, I was always curious about this.
A friend keeps his collection on coir and I personally never liked the look of it, so when I started out I decided to keep mine on fine grade moss peat only and have always wondered if I am at a disadvantage somehow by not mixing it up with soil or maybe even horticultural sand to help it wet down? But so far I've not had a problem with it dusting up when dry or rewetting it but maybe there is something else I'm missing out on lol?

@timsmithe , you should check in Aldi and Lidl, Tesco or a local Cash and Carry warehouse if you are interested in using peat instead, 100l bales for about 5 or 10 quid is an average price in my experience here

 

[cold blood]

Sub is a matter of personal preference for the keeper... any acceptable sub can be used for any t...none need to be mixed, but all can be mixed.

I have never seen a need to mix any of them together...IMO its just extra work...but its no issue if thats what you want/prefer to do..

I use top soil almost exclusively.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Can I ask why you mix the substrates up, I was always curious about this.

Personal preference, peat reduces the weight somewhat (straight topsoil is heavy) and helps to combat mould, and vermiculite helps with water retention/aerates the soil.

Lots of people use coir without issue but it moulds like crazy for me (even in dry/well-ventilated enclosures) so I don't touch it.

 

[buzz182]

Can I ask why you mix the substrates up, I was always curious about this.
A friend keeps his collection on coir and I personally never liked the look of it, so when I started out I decided to keep mine on fine grade moss peat only and have always wondered if I am at a disadvantage somehow by not mixing it up with soil or maybe even horticultural sand to help it wet down? But so far I've not had a problem with it dusting up when dry or rewetting it but maybe there is something else I'm missing out on lol?

@timsmithe , you should check in Aldi and Lidl, Tesco or a local Cash and Carry warehouse if you are interested in using peat instead, 100l bales for about 5 or 10 quid is an average price in my experience here

For me initially it was a mixture of factors including looks, what was easily available, a little trying a few different things to see what worked and a little experimenting.

 

[Ungoliant]

I have never seen a need to mix any of them together...IMO its just extra work...but its no issue if thats what you want/prefer to do..

Sometimes I add a little coco fiber, peat, and/or vermiculite to soil to improve the texture (and moisture retention for species that aren't kept dry).

 

[tim smithe]

Sub is a matter of personal preference for the keeper... any acceptable sub can be used for any t...none need to be mixed, but all can be mixed.

I have never seen a need to mix any of them together...IMO its just extra work...but its no issue if thats what you want/prefer to do..

I use top soil almost exclusively.

Personal preference, peat reduces the weight somewhat (straight topsoil is heavy) and helps to combat mould, and vermiculite helps with water retention/aerates the soil.

Lots of people use coir without issue but it moulds like crazy for me (even in dry/well-ventilated enclosures) so I don't touch it.

For me initially it was a mixture of factors including looks, what was easily available, a little trying a few different things to see what worked and a little experimenting.

Sometimes I add a little coco fiber, peat, and/or vermiculite to soil to improve the texture (and moisture retention for species that aren't kept dry).

cheers for the replies, i really appreciate the help being provided )

okay as confirmation I will be buying the westland top soil from wickes, and also will be getting the coir from eBay to have a good mix and use of. just for confirmation its definitely okay for the both :

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/wCIAAOSwhdRYWZ7U/s-l1600.jpg

https://cdn.bmstores.co.uk/images/hpcProductImage/imgFull/295037-Top-Soil-Big-Value-Bag-35L1.jpg

thanks in advance, once i get final go ahead from you all then i will go and get this tomorrow

 

[The Grym Reaper]

thanks in advance, once i get final go ahead from you all then i will go and get this tomorrow

That's the right topsoil.

I asked the company that sells the coir about it on their own website and they say it's 100% coco fibre, no added extras. Do with that what you will.

 

[violetsun5]

Is there a reason you can't buy eco earth, or even better, organic peat from a garden center?

 

[tim smithe]

That's the right topsoil.

I asked the company that sells the coir about it on their own website and they say it's 100% coco fibre, no added extras. Do with that what you will.

thanks for the reply and confirmation i appreciate this , i asked them on ebay a week back, but to my avail they did not respond back to me :-(, so I asked here, and got the best answers from you all.

Is there a reason you can't buy eco earth, or even better, organic peat from a garden center?

honestly, i think that the coir is the same, just branded for price variation, which is why i think 3 bricks for £7-9 is not good value (although its the same stuff inside (coir)). whereby i can buy in bulk for bricks of the same stuff (coir) for better prices in this case about £1 per brick for 24 bricks valued at 23 quid.

peat at my local gc cost £21 per bag, not good value, and price here is tad bit higher than most places around the UK, therefore The Grym Reaper suggested top soil from wickes which I am happy about as I can buy bales of this and keep it stored without the need to worry about and go out for emergency bags. sames goes for the coir bricks, buying in bulk for use at my disposal, as i generally tend to be a lazy sod at times