Topsoil Substrate

[moydie]

I have read that regular topsoil works well as substrate for tarantulas (I have a juvenile A. avicularia) if it is free of fertilizers, pesticides, and animal dung. I have been looking online, and I can't seem to find any brands that advertise being free of all these things. All brands I look at either say they have some of these additives, or else they just don't mention it at all.

How do you know whether topsoil is additive free? Can anyone recommend a good brand?

 

[ThatsUnpossible]

Are you in the US? I'm not so I don't know what brands you have there, but the right ones normally say somewhere on the bag that it's good for filling holes or levelling lawns. It's usually at the cheaper end of the range.

If it says "organic" or "potting" it's more likely to have unwelcome additives.

 

[Dorifto]

Mostly all of them will have fertilizers, due to decomposition of organic matter etc. You only need to verify that they don't ADD more fertilizers to it.

Low amounts like 0'0X or 0'X won't harm your T, specially a arboreal one. With higher amounts of them, better to stay away, even if it's unlikely that something bad could happen, but there is more risks, specially with a spherule or encapsulated fertilizers. If the T grabs one of them, there is a risk of intoxication.

Commonly used brands, westlands, earthgro, lowes, scott, batco...

Get a nice bag of peat and clay based topsoil, and forget about other substrates common issues.

 

[moydie]

I appreciate the replies. Seriously, thanks.

Yes I am in the US. I went to Lowe's and talked to a someone in the gardening department. The best topsoil I could find there contains some compost. I'm not sure what to think about that, so I decided to wait. I looked at peat moss too, and it contained Miracle-Grow, so I didn't get that either.

My T is an A. avicularia, so yes she is arboreal.

 

[YungRasputin]

Scott’s topsoil is organic and good and an easier substitute slash additive is organic peat which should be available anywhere gardening stuff is sold - v cheap

 

[Dorifto]

You are welcome!!

Compost it's just decayed organic matter, nothing to worry about. Manure on the other hand may contain higher amount of fertilizers.

 

[Dry Desert]

You are welcome!!

Compost it's just decayed organic matter, nothing to worry about. Manure on the other hand may contain higher amount of fertilizers.

Compost and topsoil are two different things.
Levingtons natural organic topsoil is good, it also recommends Adding fertilizer to it if being used for plants.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Look for loam soil (primarily silt/sand/clay with some humus) or fill dirt.

I use Westland topsoil but I'm UK based so that's probably not much help to you (other people will have mentioned some alternative brands that may be available where you are) but you should basically look for the cheapest stuff you can find (cheaper topsoil has less/no additives in order to keep the price as low as possible).

 

[Dorifto]

Compost and topsoil are two different things.
Levingtons natural organic topsoil is good, it also recommends Adding fertilizer to it if being used for plants.

I know, I simply pointed that people should not freak out by reading compost in the composition.

I make my own compost for my vivs using isopods, springtails and earthworms. From time to time I add a bit of it, so it renews the colonies.