where to buy?

Question
QUESTION: I would like to know how much Repti Bark to buy for the bottom of a 50 gal for my Russian Tort.?  I cannot get a decent answer locally??

ANSWER: Rather than repti-bark, I would use a 50/50 mix of coir (aka bed-a-beast or ecoearth) and playsand.  It's superior to the repti-bark because it holds humidity better (keep it a little damp) and is better for both burrowing and walking on.  It's pretty close to dirt, so is a more natural substrate for them.  If you're using a glass tank, it would be a good idea to look for something else, because tanks aren't good for housing tortoises.  The glass makes it difficult to establish a good temperature gradient, and tortoises will try to walk through anything they can see through.  In a pinch, a 50 gallon rubbermaid bin will do as an enclosure, but something bigger is better.

You want the substrate to be deep enough so the tortoise can bury itself completely.  For a 50 gallon bin, two bricks of coir should be enough.  You can always add more later if you need to.  Hope this helped!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Where is the best and most economical place to buy this, coir?  I have searched a few websites with no luck.....also, would I still use a 75 watt heat lamp or higher for a 50 gal?

Thank you for your knowledge!!!

Answer
I buy it at a local nursery/farm supply store (not a big box store).  Pet stores will also have it, and I know www.carolinapetsupply.com does, but I'm not sure about prices/shipping.  Buying it locally will probably be cheaper.

What kind of UVB bulb are you using?  I always recommend a combo heat/UVB bulb (ZooMed Powersun) because they give off very good levels of UVB and are just easier to use than two bulbs.  A 100w is adequate for most enclosures.  If you use a lamp stand or hang it from the ceiling, you can raise or lower it as necessary to reach the right basking temperature.  What are the dimensions of your enclosure?