Zoo Med Eco Earth Coconut Fiber Loose Substrate

Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate for Naturalistic Terrariums

Product Description

The Eco Earth Coconut Fiber Loose Substrate comes as loose coconut fiber, which you pour straight into the enclosure, with no brick to soak first. Made from coconut husks, a renewable resource, it suits naturalistic terrariums for frogs, toads, tortoises, box turtles, forest-dwelling lizards and snakes, and invertebrates like hermit crabs. Pour it deep enough for burrowing pets to dig.

Benefits

• Pour and Use: Arrives as loose coconut fiber so that you can pour it directly into the enclosure to your desired depth.
• Room to Burrow: Added deep enough, it lets toads, burrowing tortoises, and terrestrial turtles create natural burrows or microclimates.
• Supports Humidity Control: Daily misting helps you achieve and maintain the humidity level that suits the species you keep.
• Wide Range of Species: Suited to frogs, toads, dry-land newts, box turtles, forest-dwelling lizards and snakes, and invertebrates like hermit crabs.
• Natural Odor Control: Used damp for tropical species, the coconut fiber naturally absorbs and breaks down odor and waste products.
• Renewable Coconut Husks: Made from coconut husks, which Zoo Med's packaging calls an eco-friendly, renewable resource for terrariums.
• HydroBalls Compatible: Spread it over Zoo Med HydroBalls to form a drainage layer that supports plant growth and maintains humidity.
• Compost or Recycle: Labeled a green product that can be safely composted or recycled once you replace the bedding.

Variants

• 8 Quarts
• 24 Quarts

Ingredients

Coconut fiber, made from coconut husks.

How to Use

Recommended-Usage Chart

Disclaimer: Product information and usage guidelines are provided by the manufacturer. Always use products as directed and consult your vet in case you have concerns about your pet’s health.

Usage Instructions

• Pour Into the Enclosure: Pour Eco Earth directly from the bag into the enclosure until you reach your preferred depth.
• Go Deeper for Burrowers: For burrowing tortoises, box turtles, and toads, add substrate to a depth of 1.5 to 2 times your animal's height.
• Mist Every Day: Mist the substrate daily, then check a humidity gauge to confirm the right level for your species.
• Build a Drainage Layer: In naturalistic terrariums, add Eco Earth over a layer of Zoo Med HydroBalls for drainage.
• Spot Clean Regularly: Spot clean as needed and replace the entire substrate if a foul odor persists.

Additional Information

Precautions

• Not for Desert Species: Forest-dwelling lizards and snakes suit this substrate, but product guidance excludes desert species from that list.
• Monitor Humidity Levels: Use a humidity gauge to ensure daily misting keeps levels within the right range for your species.
• Replace When Odor Persists: If a foul odor persists after spot cleaning, remove all substrate and replace it.
• Keep Packaging Away From Pets: Keep all packaging away from children and pets to help prevent accidental choking, suffocation, or injury.

Storage Information

• Reseal Open Bags: Close the bag tightly after pouring, then store any leftover substrate in a cool, dry place.
• Keep Bags Dry: Keep unopened bags away from moisture to keep the loose fiber dry until you need it.

Shipping & Return

We offer ground, express, priority, and international delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do I need to soak loose Eco Earth before using it?

Ans: No soaking step is listed for the loose version. Simply pour Eco Earth into the enclosure to the desired depth, then mist it daily to reach the humidity your species needs. Compressed Eco Earth bricks, by contrast must be expanded in water first.

Q2: How deep should I make the substrate for my tortoise or toad?

Ans: For burrowing tortoises, terrestrial turtles like box turtles, and toads, product guidance recommends a depth of 1.5 to 2 times your animal's height. This gives them enough substrate to dig natural burrows or create the microclimates many humidity-loving reptiles and amphibians rely on.

Q3: Which pets can live on loose coconut fiber substrate?

Ans: Product guidance lists frogs, toads, dry-land newts, tortoises, box turtle,s and other terrestrial turtles, forest-dwelling lizards and snakes, and all types of invertebrates, including hermit crabs. Desert species are not included, so check your pet's habitat needs before choosing it.

Q4: Is Eco Earth good for hermit crabs?

Ans: Yes. Product guidance lists all types of invertebrates, including hermit crabs, among the animals suited to Eco Earth loose substrate, and a hermit crab appears on Zoo Med's packaging. Use it damp, mist daily, and confirm humidity levels with a gauge.

Q5: How often should I clean or replace loose Eco Earth?

Ans: Spot clean the substrate as needed by removing soiled areas. Used damp, Eco Earth naturally absorbs and breaks down odor and waste products, but if a foul odor persists, remove all of the substrate and replace it with fresh coconut fiber.

Q6: Is Eco Earth loose substrate compostable?

Ans: Yes. Zoo Med's packaging calls Eco Earth a green product that can be safely composted or recycled, and notes that it can be used in potted plants or gardens after use. It is made from coconut husks, an eco-friendly, renewable resource.