Coconut fiber?

Anubis77

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I've read and searched for most posts about substrate but I'm still wondering if it is safe to use coconut fiber. It seems very loose and if my tarantula burrows I would worry that it would collapse on her. Are there any techniques to making it suitable? I've heard packing it down works. I'm also using half fine ground shavings and half regular coconut fiber shavings.
 

chemosh6969

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Anubis77 said:
I've read and searched for most posts about substrate but I'm still wondering if it is safe to use coconut fiber. It seems very loose and if my tarantula burrows I would worry that it would collapse on her. Are there any techniques to making it suitable? I've heard packing it down works. I'm also using half fine ground shavings and half regular coconut fiber shavings.
It's fine. They web the walls of their burrow so you don't have to worry about any collapses.
 

Mike H.

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co-co nut fibre is fine, if you want it more stable mix in some black earth...


Regards, Mike
 

Anubis77

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Thanks for the replies. How dry does it have to be though? Competely?
 

Wadew

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It depends on what species you plan on housing, i do what Mike H said I mix black earth with coconut fiber Generally around a 60/40 mix depending on what I am housing.
 

PhormictopusMan

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The coconut fiber is only loose when you first mix it. It gets nice and firm, though still manageable for your T's burrowing interests. I have used it for six years. Its great stuff.
 

Anubis77

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It's for a 2 inch G. aureostriata. I've used coconut fiber for most of my herps before and loved it but I wasn't sure about using it for a T.

Here's the enclosure right now.



I've packed the fiber lightly.
 

Nerri1029

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I find coco fiber great..
Many T's web their burrows..

the fibers in coco fiber are longer than in peat and soil has almost none..

when the silk is bonded to the longer fibers it helps lock it in..

so I think coco fiber is superior for obligate burrowers..

just my $.02


ALSO I like to add "litter" to the surface so the T's have something to build an entrance with..

my E. pachypus is the Norm Abrahms of burrow entrances..
 

chemosh6969

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Nerri1029 said:
ALSO I like to add "litter" to the surface so the T's have something to build an entrance with..
I do the same. I'll put some terrarium moss in and it usually gets torn apart and used
 

Crimsonpanther

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Co-Co Nut Fibre is GREAT...I house all of my T's with this and like mike says do a black earth and co co nut fibre mix for your burrowing T's....Even though i packed down my co co nut fibre and my Eucratoscelus pachypus had no problems Burrowing !! :clap:
 

AussieTkeeper

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We call it coco peat over here but its the same stuff. Its all i use, i mixed mine with 25% reptile sand that seems to hold it together pretty well.

Jase
 

Anubis77

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How dry does it have to be before I should put her in? It's not wet just fairly moist.
 

Wadew

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What species of "T" are you housing? Sorry I see it is a G.Aureostriata a little damp should be ok.
 
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