Fossorial Substrate

[bwhatch2]

I have always just used coco coir for my fossorial species and never had a problem with it, until I did. recently I had burrow collapses in 3 tanks, they were all set up about a year ago and left undisturbed and there were no changes in the environment that I can think of that may have caused it. anybody here who keeps a lot of fossorials, what do you use for substrate? ive got a lot of T's so buying some eco-earth or bio-dudes stuff really isn't cost effective, though if that is what I need to do.......

 

[Tarantula Trooper]

When I first started back keeping again I was using Coco coir but quickly grew to not like it for various reasons. I will generally try to find some cheaper sub like creature soil and can't remember the other stuff I started using but always top it off with Bio Dudes Terra Aranea (spl) . Buying dirt can be expensive. Lol!

 

[m0lsx]

I just use Coco coir & I occasionally get a tunnel collapse. But I imagine that is a normal situation for any fossorial tarantula, regardless of what medium they are tunnelling in.

 

[bwhatch2]

thanks for the input!!

 

[bwhatch2]

I posted this question awhile back but thought I would try again to see if I get any different ideas.

I have always just used coco coir for my fossorial species and never had a problem with it, until I did. recently I had burrow collapses in 3 tanks, they were all set up about a year ago and left undisturbed and there were no changes in the environment that I can think of that may have caused it.
I have only have a few fossorial t's so buy something from bio-dude or somewhere would be fine. before buying anything I am hoping to hear what works for you.

 

[Lawrence b]

You could always try mixing your own Coco coir ,peat moss ,potting soil ,multi-purpose compost. I use 2 or 3 off these and mix them together and just keeping adding to it . I even use some vermiculite in the past .I use to use Spider Life substrate but if you got a few its cheaper to mix your own just make sure its got no pesticides or chemicals in it .

 

[Ratmosphere]

Cheap topsoil. Just want to make sure it's free of pesticides.

 

[Gizalba]

For fossorials I mix the coco fibre with vermiculate, and also add in moss for the moisture dependent species that mix seems to work well.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Organic topsoil.

 

[bwhatch2]

a couple of you mentioned vermiculite, is that for moisture retention or do you think it helps the structure of the burrow?

 

[Lawrence b]

Maybe both moisture and for structure , but I mainly thought for structure .

 

[Casey K.]

I use ReptiSoil.

 

[Gizalba]

a couple of you mentioned vermiculite, is that for moisture retention or do you think it helps the structure of the burrow?

I use it for increasing moisture retention without mould forming but I think moisture itself helps the structure of the burrow, keeping the coco fibre firmer?

 

[bwhatch2]

thanks everybody for the input. I think I am am going to trying mixing coco coir with coco coir chunks (instead of vermiculite) and spag moss and see how that works