What do You use for substrate?

[invertinverts]

I apologize if this is a thread that already exists, but I couldn't find it.

I used to use bio dude and reptisoil but have moved on to making my own mixture as it gets expensive real quick with any even medium sized collection. Usually a mix of top soil, excavator clay, and coco fiber. Most recently I found a landscaping type place near me that sells top soil which already has clay and sand among other things in it. I worked really hard to find this place because they actually list the ingredients of the dirt and exactly what's in it whereas at home depot it will just say "forest products". I live in the pnw and found most topsoil has a lot of conifer/pine in it which I've heard is bad for tarantulas (but I had to buy it in bulk for my snake which is actually why I was so concerned).

What do you use? What do you put in your mix? Do you use conifer products? And is it easy for you to find topsoil without conifer where you are?

Appreciate any input, I'm always looking to try new things and have far from perfected my dirt mix.

 

[LilithArachne]

I just use coconut substrate where it's grinded and feels like dirt

 

[Mustafa67]

I apologize if this is a thread that already exists, but I couldn't find it.

I used to use bio dude and reptisoil but have moved on to making my own mixture as it gets expensive real quick with any even medium sized collection. Usually a mix of top soil, excavator clay, and coco fiber. Most recently I found a landscaping type place near me that sells top soil which already has clay and sand among other things in it. I worked really hard to find this place because they actually list the ingredients of the dirt and exactly what's in it whereas at home depot it will just say "forest products". I live in the pnw and found most topsoil has a lot of conifer/pine in it which I've heard is bad for tarantulas (but I had to buy it in bulk for my snake which is actually why I was so concerned).

What do you use? What do you put in your mix? Do you use conifer products? And is it easy for you to find topsoil without conifer where you are?

Appreciate any input, I'm always looking to try new things and have far from perfected my dirt mix.

Coco fibre

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Coco fibre

Same here but I gotta find a new source for it big mold issues .

Mold issues in Lasiodora Cage

Last year I added more ventilation I’m still have a mold issues. I removed the second water dish a few months ago . I’ve removed some of it

arachnoboards.com

I apologize if this is a thread that already exists, but I couldn't find it.

I used to use bio dude and reptisoil but have moved on to making my own mixture as it gets expensive real quick with any even medium sized collection. Usually a mix of top soil, excavator clay, and coco fiber. Most recently I found a landscaping type place near me that sells top soil which already has clay and sand among other things in it. I worked really hard to find this place because they actually list the ingredients of the dirt and exactly what's in it whereas at home depot it will just say "forest products". I live in the pnw and found most topsoil has a lot of conifer/pine in it which I've heard is bad for tarantulas (but I had to buy it in bulk for my snake which is actually why I was so concerned).

What do you use? What do you put in your mix? Do you use conifer products? And is it easy for you to find topsoil without conifer where you are?

Appreciate any input, I'm always looking to try new things and have far from perfected my dirt mix.

mix of top soil and coco fiber.

 

[viper69]

You couldn’t find a single post on this? How did you search, and what terms did you use?

maybe this info could improve the site….

 

[fcat]

What part of Washington? Can you make a trek south east to the "desert" as I used to call it when I was a kid

 

[kingshockey]

cocofiber only tried using a mix of repti soil with it but ended up with mold issues. so its pure coco fiber only now

 

[invertinverts]

cocofiber only tried using a mix of repti soil with it but ended up with mold issues. so its pure coco fiber only now

I had insane mold issues with the bio dude stuff which is why I quit using it :/

What part of Washington? Can you make a trek south east to the "desert" as I used to call it when I was a kid

I live on the Canadian border somewhat close to Bellingham if you know where that is lol. Too scared about pesticides to be taking any random dirt from outside

You couldn’t find a single post on this? How did you search, and what terms did you use?

maybe this info could improve the site….

Haha of course I found some posts (mostly about coco fiber). I wish there was a thread with lots of people saying what they use and how they mix it up in one place, but I couldn't find such a thing. I was also unable to find anecdotal evidence of the safety of conifer products in substrate. If you know of one, feel free to link it

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

You couldn’t find a single post on this? How did you search, and what terms did you use?

maybe this info could improve the site….

Probably couldn’t choose from hundreds of threads .. I have atleast 5 one dealing with substrate .

Haha of course I found some posts (mostly about coco fiber). I wish there was a thread with lots of people saying what they use and how they mix it up in one place, but I couldn't find such a thing. I was also unable to find anecdotal evidence of the safety of conifer products in substrate. If you know of one, feel free to link it

maybe you didn’t search the right terms it’s fine , I wouldn’t use anything with sap or ceder .
Cured pine I don’t know

 

[caddude]

I have always used coconut fiber and have had good success with it. Just be sure to pack it down to firm up the surface, as some Ts are sensitive to losing substrate.

 

[Spinnenfritzi]

i use soil sold for tortoise keeping ( was recommended by a german youtuber).
Dosen't mold, dosen't collapse, is nice for burrowing, looks good and holds moisture very well!

 

[caddude]

i use soil sold for tortoise keeping ( was recommended by a german youtuber).
Dosen't mold, dosen't collapse, is nice for burrowing, looks good and holds moisture very well!

What is the brand of soil, please?

 

[invertinverts]

i use soil sold for tortoise keeping ( was recommended by a german youtuber).
Dosen't mold, dosen't collapse, is nice for burrowing, looks good and holds moisture very well!

Wow I didn't even know tortoise soil was a thing might have to look into that

 

[invertinverts]

Probably couldn’t choose from hundreds of threads .. I have atleast 5 one dealing with substrate .

maybe you didn’t search the right terms it’s fine , I wouldn’t use anything with sap or ceder .
Cured pine I don’t know

Yeah I don't plan to use any lol I'm too nervous. I wonder if it causes respiratory issues like in snakes or if it causes serious neurological problems like dks symptoms

I have always used coconut fiber and have had good success with it. Just be sure to pack it down to firm up the surface, as some Ts are sensitive to losing substrate.

Do you have issues with fossorial species and coco fiber? I have always felt it doesn't hold burrows quite as well

 

[caddude]

I do not have fossorials. However, I would think that coco fiber would need an additive to make it bind better,

 

[Spinnenfritzi]

Floragard is the brand i use.
I doubt that you can get it in the states though

 

[caddude]

@Spinnenfritzi Thank you for letting me know, I will definitely look for it.

 

[invertinverts]

I do not have fossorials. However, I would think that coco fiber would need an additive to make it bind better,

Makes sense, I've never used straight coco fiber

 

[fcat]

I had insane mold issues with the bio dude stuff which is why I quit using it :/


I live on the Canadian border somewhat close to Bellingham if you know where that is lol. Too scared about pesticides to be taking any random dirt from outside


Haha of course I found some posts (mostly about coco fiber). I wish there was a thread with lots of people saying what they use and how they mix it up in one place, but I couldn't find such a thing. I was also unable to find anecdotal evidence of the safety of conifer products in substrate. If you know of one, feel free to link it

You are smart to stay away from conifers, any odiferous would secretes oils that are toxic to invertebrates (and actually used as insect repellent, e.g. cedar wood oil). Also very toxic to cats FWIW.

Personally I use reptisoil for just about everyone, because I don't "trust" anything that's not specifically marketed for animals. You still have to read the label as many reptile and mammal products include pine products.

I have the luxury of living/accessing the native distribution for many Aphonopelma species, and collect native "loamy soil" but still trek a mile from any show of civilization to avoid chemicals.

 

[Stu Macher]

I apologize if this is a thread that already exists, but I couldn't find it.

I used to use bio dude and reptisoil but have moved on to making my own mixture as it gets expensive real quick with any even medium sized collection. Usually a mix of top soil, excavator clay, and coco fiber. Most recently I found a landscaping type place near me that sells top soil which already has clay and sand among other things in it. I worked really hard to find this place because they actually list the ingredients of the dirt and exactly what's in it whereas at home depot it will just say "forest products". I live in the pnw and found most topsoil has a lot of conifer/pine in it which I've heard is bad for tarantulas (but I had to buy it in bulk for my snake which is actually why I was so concerned).

What do you use? What do you put in your mix? Do you use conifer products? And is it easy for you to find topsoil without conifer where you are?

Appreciate any input, I'm always looking to try new things and have far from perfected my dirt mix.

Reptisoil