Coco fiber bricks

[Phobik1]

Just got a couple of Ts and bought a pkg of coco fiber bricks. While breaking down the first brick i came across some kinnd of white substance that felt like some kind of gravel. Is this normal?

 

[Jess S]

I've come across little white stone chippings in mine. Never as much as that though!

 

[Phobik1]

Thats what it feels like to me too. So its not mold?

 

[Phobik1]

Is there a certain way to break this stuff up in to substrate?

 

[Aracnoenthusiast]

Is there a certain way to break this stuff up in to substrate?

You're ment to use water and it will expand and break apart

 

[Jess S]

Thats what it feels like to me too. So its not mold?

Not if it feels like gravel. Just pick it out.
Add water to hydrate the brick. I always use less than the amount suggested on the packet.

 

[Jess S]

It is weird though, I wouldn't be happy finding that much in a brick. Will def add onto the weight of the brick (makes you wonder) and it looks quite chalky in your photo

 

[Hemolymph]

It’s cocaine, they were smuggling it inside the bricks.

 

[PanzoN88]

That is very weird, I must admit I have never come across anything like that before. I actually found a large screw in a bag of coco fiber a while back.

 

[Arachnoclown]

I've never seen that ever and I've made tons of substrate.
I'm seconding that its cocaine...

Whatever it is I wouldnt use it and take it back for a replacement or refund.

 

[ilovebrachys]

I've never seen that ever and I've made tons of substrate.
I'm seconding that its cocaine...

Whatever it is I wouldnt use it and take it back for a replacement or refund.

I think that's a Very expensive brick of coco fibre

 

[PurplKush]

not problem, just break that part out, i would use hot water to soak the coco, i think high temps will kill the rest of the mold

 

[Jess S]

Try licking it. If your tongue goes numb it's coke rofl

 

[ExMember]

This thread makes me glad I stopped using those bricks. I used to by pucks of that stuff. But now I just buy the loose bags. The problem is that when hydrated it takes soooo long for it to dry out. Like weeks. I have some from 6 months ago sitting in a tub that I use occasionally but usually use the loose bag stuff. Sometimes it is too crumbly so I add peat in with it.

I'm sure my Grammastola pulchra Betsy wanted to bite me last rehouse. I rehydrated a puck 2 weeks before and she wouldn't even touch the sub. I put her water dish in the corner and she would walk along the wall and go down to drink. Now she's cool though. It has been 3 months. But for the first month she was on the lid as far away from the sub as possible!

What brand is that? I want some of that cheap blow! (Jk)

I have used eco earth for what feels like ages and have never seen that in a loose bag, puck or brick. I would probably return it.

 

[Jess S]

I cheat with my bricks. I just add enough water to loosen up the brick a bit (involves dipping in and out of water or a running tap) and then go to work on the rest with a cheese grater. Labour intensive yes but you end up with dry loose substrate that I often have to add water to once it's in the enclosure, for slings and so forth. Id prefer to buy the loose but the pet shop near me just sells the bricks. They do have a website though so I'll have to see if I can get the bags on there for click n collect. They def have more stuff on their site than they carry in the store.

 

[ExMember]

I cheat with my bricks. I just add enough water to loosen up the brick a bit (involves dipping in and out of water or a running tap) and then go to work on the rest with a cheese grater. Labour intensive yes but you end up with dry loose substrate that I often have to add water to once it's in the enclosure, for slings and so forth. Id prefer to buy the loose but the pet shop near me just sells the bricks. They do have a website though so I'll have to see if I can get the bags on there for click n collect. They def have more stuff on their site than they carry in the store.

Thats a great idea! Cheese grater you say? It is kinda hard to find the loose bags in my neck of the woods too. Everyone carries the bricks though. And bricks are way cheaper too.

Thanks for the tip @Jess S

 

[Phobik1]

So ive been adding water, a lil at a time and shaving off the loose stuff w a knife. Thanx for all the input. Im pretty sure you can end up w just about anything in a brick at least once. Im not too worried about it now.

 

[Phil]

Try licking it. If your tongue goes numb it's coke rofl

voice of experience?

 

[Phil]

I buy big sacks of loose coco fibre direct from a garden supplier. 60 litres of it for about £18 delivered to my door..Probably x20 cheaper than the equivalent in bricks and no hassle rehydrating as it's already done! If you have a large collection I would recommend it. It sometimes goes under the name Coir in the gardening fraternity.

 

[m0lsx]

I buy big sacks of loose coco fibre direct from a garden supplier. 60 litres of it for about £18 delivered to my door..

Amazon has a 50 ltr bag for £12.95, delivered to your door.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hydrogarden-Canna-Coco-Coir-Natural/dp/B004WY128O

With any luck Poundland will be stocking those small bricks of coir again this year. I brought several last year & still have most of them still sitting here, but a few more would be helpful.