Exo Terra Plantation Soil is a natural soil made from compressed coconut husk fibers. The substrate is an ecological option to naturally increase humidity levels.
It is safe for a wide variety of amphibians and reptiles including frogs and burrowing reptiles.
The substrate is one hundred percent natural, which makes it ideal for live plants in a bioactive terrarium set up.
Pros
- 100% natural
- Perfect for bioactive terrarium setups
- Naturally helps to increase humidity levels
- Encourages natural burrowing and digging
- Suitable for live plants
Cons
- Risk of mites
Design and Features
The Exo Terra plantation soil is 100% natural, ideal for terrarium setups. Made from compressed coconut husk fiber, this all-natural product can be used with amphibians and reptiles that enjoy high humidity levels.
It is also suitable for those that enjoy digging and burrowing.
The natural material naturally increases the humidity levels in the terrarium. This makes it ideal as an incubation medium. It has proven itself as a great planting medium for live plants.
The features of this plantation soil include the fact that it comes in a pack of three as an added convenience and has proven itself effective at increasing humidity levels and being safe for amphibians and reptiles.
It can be used as a useful incubation material, along with aiding in the plantation and growth of live plants.
The soil can also be mixed with other substrates.
The Exo Terra offers 2 types of plantation soil: compressed bricks and loose dry soil in bags.
| Small Bag | 4L (3.6qt) | Check Price |
| Medium Bag | 8L (7.2qt) | Check Price |
| Brick | 8.8L (8qt) | Check Price |
Usage and Maintenance
How to Prepare the Exo Terra Plantation Soil Brick
The Exo Terra Plantation Soil has been designed to be used with ease. It comes in a compressed brick and a loose bag which is ready to use.
The brick expands to 8.8 liters, offering you plenty of soil to cover the bottom of your terrarium with confidence.
- Place Exo brick into a 2.6 gallon bucket
- Add 100 ounces of water
- Allow to soak for thirty minutes or until the water completely absorbed
- Stir the substrate to ensure no clumps
- The substrate is ready to use
How to Use the Exo Terra Plantation Soil
Spread the Exo Terra Plantation Soil across the bottom of the terrarium floor making a one to two-inch layer.
If you have a burrowing reptile, increase the layer to four inches.
Measure humidity levels with a hygrometer to ensure optimum levels are achieved.
How to Maintain the Soil
Maintenance is easy. Simply mist daily to maintain humidity levels. You should spot clean daily, removing any feces and mold you may find. Due to high humidity levels, mold is not uncommon.
Replacing the soil will be determined by what reptile you have and the setup. Six months is the recommendation. Simply remove existing soil, soak your new plantation soil brick and replace.
How Much Soil Do I Need?
Measuring how much soil to use will be determined by the size of your terrarium.
One brick is 8.8 liters or 462 cubic inches. As an estimate, a forty-gallon breeder tank of 36” x 18” x 18” with a four-inch substrate thickness would need about 5.5 Exo Terra Plantation Soil bricks.
Remember there are 462 cubic inches in each brick. A 36” x 18” floor with 4″ substrate is 2592 cubic inches. Divide the total area by 462 to get the number of bricks required.
Is this Product Good Value?
The product offers an easy solution for those that want to create a bioactive terrarium complete with live plants and burrowing animals.
The soil is very easy to use and can boost humidity levels for frogs, salamanders, ball pythons, crested geckos and burrowing and digging reptiles.
Related –Zoo Med Eco Earth Review
Summary
Overall, the Exo Terra Plantation soil is a good quality product for boosting humidity or creating a natural habitat for your reptile.