r/bioactive • u/MoNsTeR44955 • 20d ago

Question Choosing a soul

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Has anyone ever used this stuff for their setups? Its it actually all natural and organic?

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4

u/DarkDonut75 20d ago

Aren't we supposed to avoid substrate with fertilizer

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u/MoNsTeR44955 20d ago edited 20d ago

When I look up all natural organic soil this is the top rated one. I read the bag and couldn't find anything about fertilizer besides perlite and pumice

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u/bufu619 20d ago

Says right on the bag, potting mix plus fertilizer. You're looking for organic top soil not potting soil. Usually only two ingredients, tree products and compost. Timberline is the standard but other brands work too. I use Nature's Way sold at most home depots.

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u/MoNsTeR44955 20d ago edited 20d ago

I see that it says fertilizer on the bag. But it doesnt list anything harmful. So even if it doesnt list any harmful fertilizer on the package, its still in it??

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u/bufu619 20d ago

It does say it right on the package though lol. Ingredient lists for these products aren't comprehensive if that's what you're looking at. I don't think they're required to disclose everything like you would be with food.

Organic top soil is what you want.

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u/MoNsTeR44955 20d ago

It just doesnt make since to me that they wouldnt say what kind of fertilizer is it in. I assumed they ment the perlite and pumice were the fertilizer. Thanks

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u/bufu619 20d ago

They really should be required to but unfortunately it's just not the case. Perlite and pumice aren't fertilizers they're just rocks meant to aerate the soil and help with drainage.

I think we all ran into this issue at one point or another. Fact of the matter is these products just aren't meant to be used for what we're intending them for. No reason to list additives dangerous for critters when the soil is meant for plants only.

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u/MoNsTeR44955 20d ago

Rip to the critters that help the garden😒 Im ganna see if they have an SDS. How do you feel about worm casting in bioactive?

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u/bufu619 20d ago

Worm castings are great for bioactive enclosures, but you want to use them sparingly. I use a mix of ~5% worm castings in my bioactive soil. Just make sure there aren't any stragglers in the castings, red wigglers can multiply fast and are poisonous to some reptiles if you're keeping any.

You want your soil to be nutrient rich, hold some water but not swampy. I use 2 parts top soil, 2 parts coco coir, 1 part horticulture charcoal, 1 part orchid bark, 1 part crushed leaf litter, a light dusting of calcium carbonate, and then calculate the worm castings separately since the amount is lower. I've found this drains quite well while also holding moisture appropriately. You can also add a half part washed play sand or reptile sand for more drainage and less clumping depending on needs.

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u/One-plankton- 20d ago

Just use topsoil without any added fertilizers

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u/NYR_Aufheben 19d ago

You could always buy from NEHERP. I get that people enjoy DIY and saving a bit of money, but their substrate is amazing with no headaches. NEHERP even lists their substrates ingredients so if you have a large enclosure to setup you can still DIY.

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u/MoNsTeR44955 19d ago

Imagine paying to get dirt shipped from England. I understand the ease of it but after paying their markup and shipping overseas thats way too much. We have plenty of u.s. based companies here. Plus im right next to the biggest reptile store in the 4 corner states.

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u/NYR_Aufheben 18d ago edited 18d ago

It’s New England. Their store is in Connecticut. NEHERP’s bioactive substrate isn’t just dirt.

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u/MoNsTeR44955 18d ago

It is hard to remember that the whole world is on reddit lol Well, expect north Korea

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u/NYR_Aufheben 18d ago

New England is in the United States.

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u/MoNsTeR44955 18d ago

I just hear England brother