Potting Soil As A Substrate?

rottiegirl25 · Post by **rottiegirl25** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 3:45 am

Can i use pottting soil or anything like that for a substrate in a hermie tank?I don't have the money to get EE or bed a beast right now. ANd im not sure about sand i have never had good results with it.Another idea i had was to use a lizard carpet with a bowl of calci sand in there but wasn't sure if it would work. Please advice needed asap my crab tank needs to be deep cleaned i found fruit flies in there.

Bubu · Post by **Bubu** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:00 am

I'm not sure, but it seems like potting soil could run the risk of having some sort of chemicals in it that could be harmful to hermies. I would just be weary of it if it were me.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:22 am

Potting soil is not really a good option for hermies, it usually has fertiizers in it, as well as other components that are not good for hermies. If you can't afford ee or some other brand of coconut fiber, I'd say go with sand, at least til you CAN afford to change back over. Play sand, NOT calci sand. You can probably salvage some of the EE when you do your deep clean, and mix that with the sand to sort of "lighten it up" a big, make it easier to dig thru. And use salt water to dampen it, so mold growth will be inhibited.If you're dead set against using sand, then the only other suggestion I've got is to use dirt dug up from your yard, but ONLY if your yard doesn't get treated with any sort of insecticide or fertilizers. There are risks with using just plain dirt, bugs and fungi primarily, but it would be better than commercial potting soil.

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:02 am

Rottiegirl, unlike aquarium, reptile and calci sands, EE isn't very expensive at all. In fact, overall it costs less than potting soil. One brick cost like $3.99 and can fill a 10g or better depending on the brand. I mixed mine with a few cups of sandbox sand to make it fluffier like Kittish said. Got a 50lb bag for $5 I think. At this rate I'll have it for years. But it needn't be used with the sand if cost is a factor, and if you're good about picking up food bits and ISO'ing molters, it will last longer between deep cleans. I just use a seashell to scoop some of the soiled stuff out.If you do decide to go the EE route, notice that if you line up the bricks, some are slightly larger than others. Grab the bigger one!

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:59 am

This is according to their websites, which I assume must be close to or the same as the stores. You could call Petco and see if they have valuepacks too. Petsmarts price isn't bad at all.Petsmart:zoo med eco earth 3pk for $5.99bed a beast single pack $4.99http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_list.js ... 54447Petco zoo med eco earth $4.99http://www.petco.com/Shop/ProductList.aspx?PC= ... 0+5455I've no personal experience with the bagged stuff. It says for desert or tropical environments. That's contradictory to me. One is dry, the other is humid. Not sure you wet that stuff. I'd go with the bricks.Have fun with your mom! She sounds cool.

kuplakrabs · Post by **kuplakrabs** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:04 am

My local pet store sells the 3-pack of EE for $4.15. They give me a quantity discount so I can get a 3-pack for $3.75. Try checking around to some smaller pet shops. You might just get lucky and find EE at a great price.

KittyCaller · Post by **KittyCaller** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:50 am

Some people have used ORGANIC potting soil mixed with EE with no problems. If it doesn't have fertilizers or pesticides or plant food or anything like that, then it actually should be just fine.

Willow · Post by **Willow** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:02 pm

But I wouldn't recommend using only potting soil, it probably gets muddy when moist. But it's OK mixed with EE or sand, if you're sure it's organic.