New to forum - substrate question, not in FAQ

[DarwinBTS]

Hi all, I have spent a couple of years debating & have now decided to get a Northern BTS. I have just picked up a new 4’x2’x2’ PVC vivarium which has built in venting in the back. I am still deciding on what substrate to use, but am thinking of a combo of Zilla Jungle Mix or Forest Floor, coconut coir mulch, Zoo Med Excavator & possibly a reptile sand in there too. Does this sound like an ok mix? Any suggestions or advice much appreciated. Also, how often does substrate need to be fully replaced? Thanks

[rixusaku]

Absolutely no sand or anything dusty. Zilla Jungle Mix, Forest Floor, and coconut coir mulch sound good. You can also use fir bark. Personally for my northern I'm using a mix of Zoo Med Forest Floor, Zoo Med Repti Bark, and Exo Terra Coco Husk. The coco husks will do a better job at keeping the tunnels they dig intact while the other two I mostly use just to make the enclosure look more natural and add variance to the look.

Since northerns need lower humidity I'm not confident that the Zoo Med Excavator won't get dusty once it dries up so I dont know if I would reccomend that. I've never used it though so I'm just airing on the side of caution. I know that using coco fiber mixes will get dusty once they dry out too, so unless you're able to keep it moist enough while not getting the humidity levels too high, that could be an option, but I haven't been successful with that so I dont use it anymore.

[rixusaku]

Also, welcome to the forum! :D

[Janella]

Hello there and welcome to the forum. I have a almost 6 year old Northern. I have kept him on Zilla Jungle mix with Reptibark or Reptichip on top. I have never had any issues with shedding. I spot clean his enclosure every day and once a week I pour about 12-16 oz of water through out the enclosure to boost humidity. Every 3 months I do full enclosure clean and change of old substrate to new. My Northern loves it and burrows through it all the time. I hope that helps.

[DarwinBTS]

Thank you Rixusaku & Janella. Looking forward to getting the vivarium interior done now. Have a large cork bark tunnel/cavern to put in there too.