Safe alternatives to coco-fiber?

[cyris69]

I was wanted to find out if there is an particular brands or types or alternatives to the petstore bought brick coconut bedding?

I have been doing research and came up with organic potting soils but no brands? I want something I can purchase from an big chain such as Lowes, Home Depot, Menards. I did see some mention Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Garden Soil - Scotts Miracle-Gro "Miracle-Gro® Organic Choice® Garden Soil" I can get a 40lb bag for only 4 bucks which is hella cheap. I know they may not hold moisture as well but all my tanks use a fogger/humidifier.

So what I'm trying to find is a cheap alternative to the petstore substrates.

[toxxxickitten]

I'm not trying to be mean, but IMO if you can't afford to keep your pets then you should have no business having them. However, if you want "cheap" then just go with paper towels...

[cyris69]

I can understand that but they a VERY well taken care of. Food is not an issues as they get roaches, crickets, worms, and all their supplements. I was just looking for a way to save some money on their substrate where I could since 4 tanks and hearing they need changed every 2-4 weeks can be very cumbersome on the wallet. So that was the purpose of this thread, and they are in no means not taken care of and in no risk of being so.

It's just out of curiosity since coco-fiber is not something they natively live in/on so they have had to been kept on other substrates that are safe and effective. I mean technically couldn't you have them on dirt that has been sterilized such as organic or pasteurized top soils? I bought some miracle grow sphagnum peat moss that is actually a finer consistency than cocofiber but didn't want to place them in anything that would hurt them. So could you at least give me some insight on suitable substrates since coco-fiber couldn't have always been the staple for frog husbandry.

[toxxxickitten]

I'm not sure where in Indiana you're located, but I just bought a three brick pack of Eco-Earth for $7.oo and those bricks make A LOT of substrate - I would imagine enough for 4 tanks....

[cyris69]

Yeah around here the 3-pack is about 11 bucks at the big chains and even mom/pop stores

[Deac77]

We sell the bricks at Petsmart for 6.99 I just bout the 3pack was cheap before my discount with it almost free lol

[pinkcloud]

i change my substrate every 5-8 weeks, i stir it up every week though

[toxxxickitten]

Yeah around here the 3-pack is about 11 bucks at the big chains and even mom/pop stores

Not sure how close you are to Noblesville or Indianapolis...but I got the Eco-Earth 3 pack at the Indy reptile show today. There's a show every first Sunday of the month in Noblesville. I know the guy who runs that show.

[cyris69]

I will have to search around for a good deal on the bricks. Is there any organic top soil/dirt that can be used as well or even a sphagnum peat dirt mix?

[Deac77]

From what I've heard you want to avoid moss but I've heard people using top soil personally I'm a worry wort and expect the worse so I try and stick with what I know can be passed and digested but I have heard of people keeping in topsoil as long as its organic you have to be careful though because some organic some with cow **** already mixed in lol

[cyris69]

How much is 5kg pack compared to a 3 pack?
I found this Amazon.com: COCOTEK 5KG BAIL: Patio, Lawn & Garden

[Deac77]

Not sure I'd wait to hear from more experienced members

[toxxxickitten]

How much is 5kg pack compared to a 3 pack?
I found this Amazon.com: COCOTEK 5KG BAIL: Patio, Lawn & Garden

I think $25 for a pack of substrate would be out of the question if they were only willing to biy a $4 bag or organic soil from Lowe's or Home Depot. I still think that if you want cheap then just go with paper towels.

[cyris69]

I understand, was just looking around for a decent bang for the buck though I'm not sure how much the above product will make I guess I will just have to scale it out. Their substrate was changed a week ago so we are good for now just wanted to see what I could do to prepare for future changes.

[toxxxickitten]

Each Eco-Earth brick makes 7-8 liters of substrate.

[Aqua Tarra]

I think $25 for a pack of substrate would be out of the question if they were only willing to biy a $4 bag or organic soil from Lowe's or Home Depot. I still think that if you want cheap then just go with paper towels.

That coco brick will do approx 50liters of media once its expanded. When buying coco fiber make sure its from a good source. GH and Canna (way more expensive) make pretty good coco. Its low in salt unlike some some of the cheaper coco out there. Unfortunately the only way to test it is to soak the coco in water and use a EC/TDS pen to measure how much salt has been leached out. Now I'm not sure how much cheap coco would affect frogs but its killer in hydroponics/plant growing.

[flybyferns]

This is what I have always used for my plants in my enclosures.
It is available, loose, in a bag as well.
$3 is a good buy. But , then there is shipping. Sometimes they have sales.
However, I have not used this for substrate.
It is sure helps the plants though!
The blocks from the pet stores do not work nearly as well, for plants anyways. Salts leach out?

Miracle grow organic for substrate. ??? Be careful ! What's in it ???

Cocogro Coir Brick by Botanicare - 8 L - Growing Media - Worm's Way

[cyris69]

I actually have a worms way maybe 25 minutes away from me.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717

[flybyferns]

I actually have a worms way maybe 25 minutes away from me.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717

There you go ! Maybe they have larger blocks?
I have always meant to call and ask as the don't show them on their site for that brand of coir.

They have another that has an additive.
So, careful to only purchase the pure one!

[Ra]

There you go ! Maybe they have larger blocks?
I have always meant to call and ask as the don't show them on their site for that brand of coir.

They have another that has an additive.
So, careful to only purchase the pure one!

I have read that many coco fiber products intended for horticulture have a high salt content, making them harmful to amphibians. I wish pet product companies would price their products a bit more fairly....