The Hunt for good top soil ?

[Westicles]

The woods. As long as there's no agriculture nearby, ought to be safe. I've collected tons of stuff from nature (woods and desert) and have never lost a spider because of it. Guessing lots of folks would disagree, but I'm not going to stop doing it just because they're worried lol.

So, I've never done that with my Ts, but pretty much all my snakes have collected branches/limbs and I've never had a single issue.

 

[campj]

Perhaps to hunt for tree bark is feasible and I’m planning it eventually but I’m too far away the woods to carry dirt no way I could carry much , bad ankle tendinitis. That’s would mean your wild sourced soil is better then what I got at Home Depot in the past because I’ve had atleast a few bag bags .
now it’s $3 a bag !! Went up a $1 in a few years… Scott’s topsoil I considered trying but it was $3.75 or more .

Was talking about the leaf litter, although I have collected dirt from the desert for Aphonopelma and it was better than anything in the stores.

So, I've never done that with my Ts, but pretty much all my snakes have collected branches/limbs and I've never had a single issue.

Yeah dude, looks much better than store bought and it's FREE!

 

[Westicles]

Was talking about the leaf litter, although I have collected dirt from the desert for Aphonopelma and it was better than anything in the stores.


Yeah dude, looks much better than store bought and it's FREE!

Amen to that!! Climbing limbs for boas and pythons are ridiculous! I collected my own and cleaned for pennies on the dollar. Plus, I can saw and cut to exactly what I need!

 

[WhiteMoss]

Yeah I’ve got no idea we’re to get safe leaf litter

I collect mine outside. I specifically go for hardwood leaves because that's what isopods prefer to eat, but if it's just for esthetics, then any leaf litter will do. When it's dried and crushed it all looks the same lol

As far as safe goes, I used to boil then dry them, but now I just collect and keep them in a bag until I need some. I've never had any issues, mind you I make sure to collect them where I'm certain no pesticides were used.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I haven't personally used that brand, but I've never had a bad experience with the bricks that you have to rehydrate. They're kind of annoying since you have to dry it out afterwards, but it works fine!

What’s the difference between coco coir and fiber ?turns out I bought coir accidentally…

 

[Dementeddoll]

Yeah I’ve got no idea we’re to get safe leaf litter so I been doing it without that . coco fiber works better than peat moss for me .

I believe Josh’s frogs sells safe leaf litter if I’m not mistaken.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I believe Josh’s frogs sells safe leaf litter if I’m not mistaken.

Yeah I looked there good idea , all I wanted was more spiders but I’m under t prohibition for now ..

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I believe Josh’s frogs sells safe leaf litter if I’m not mistaken.

I’m trying to use Home Depot basic brand top soil but I gotta go to the store and find some sort of sifter. The Timberline sucks it’s mostly micro wood chips it’s still usable just Im not buying anymore of it.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I found this sifter at the dollar tree. Is it too thin of holes for top soil?? Or perfect?

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

So, I've never done that with my Ts, but pretty much all my snakes have collected branches/limbs and I've never had a single issue.

Hmm I couldn’t find any good bark at the park I gotta go on a colder day , maybe they cleaned it all out . Is Scott’s topsoil better then regular 40 pound bags. ???

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I believe Josh’s frogs sells safe leaf litter if I’m not mistaken.

Is timberline top soil good ? I have one bag left .. I’m not sure if I can filter anything out with my sifter.

 

[Dementeddoll]

Is timberline top soil good ? I have one bag left .. I’m not sure if I can filter anything out with my sifter.

Not sure tbh I’ve never used it.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Not sure tbh I’ve never used it.

So I’ve opened the second bag up , found 3 pillbugs captured.
Other than that it looks good quality better than the first bag.
now I don’t need more sub right now or I’d open a bag of Home Depot soil up to compare.
Do you cook dirt ?? Should I cook it ??

 

[SpookySpooder]

Need help with my GBB

I quit buying peat moss because of it getting dry and kicking up urticating hairs . Although with the price of coco fiber I’m almost considering it again. Coco fiber has become insanely pricey.

arachnoboards.com

Bunch of substrate posts starting in this thread. Noticed you asked there so hopefully we can migrate that conversation here lol

The main reason I asked is because I can't find any topsoils near me that don't have a bunch of additives and aren't expensive, so instead of buying reptilsoil in bulk I wanted to see if I could use my own mix. Think I will based on that conversation.

Pages 2 - 5 of that thread went so far off the rails

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Need help with my GBB

I quit buying peat moss because of it getting dry and kicking up urticating hairs . Although with the price of coco fiber I’m almost considering it again. Coco fiber has become insanely pricey.

arachnoboards.com

Bunch of substrate posts starting in this thread. Noticed you asked there so hopefully we can migrate that conversation here lol

The main reason I asked is because I can't find any topsoils near me that don't have a bunch of additives and aren't expensive, so instead of buying reptilsoil in bulk I wanted to see if I could use my own mix. Think I will based on that conversation.

Pages 2 - 5 of that thread went so far off the rails

Guess no one migrated here
this timberline top soil has so much little wood chips in it. Is there best way to filter it out?
The strainer I got will not work I really don’t know what it’s for maybe pasta…

 

[SpookySpooder]

Guess no one migrated here
this timberline top soil has so much little wood chips in it. Is there best way to filter it out?
The strainer I got will not work I really don’t know what it’s for maybe pasta…

For sifting dirt, I use a screen made from 1/4" grid of wire mesh. I wouldn't use a pasta strainer as that has small little holes that probably don't work as well.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I got a bag of this haven’t used any yet. does it look good?

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I filtered it the best I could, I’m not sure what to do with the harsh stuff??
I won’t be getting this brand again, Scott’s was out of stock. Half it’s the dirt
The junk
is probably filler junk.

 

[FatBadBay]

Try garden centers. I work at one and I use the bulk leaf compost and topsoil mixed with the coconut coir. We carry two types of topsoil, a basic and a premium from a supplier called Frey's. There's a good chance other garden centers will have similar selections.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Try garden centers. I work at one and I use the bulk leaf compost and topsoil mixed with the coconut coir. We carry two types of topsoil, a basic and a premium from a supplier called Frey's. There's a good chance other garden centers will have similar selections.

I tried sifting out the bad stuff and it still seems pretty bad any opinions?