Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a leopard tort that we've had for better than 7 years and is doing really well but I think I can improve his setup somewhat. I'm presently using ZooMed vita-sand as it is said to reduce or prevent impaction. It can be difficult to keep clean though and I've rinsed it a few times to clear the waste from it. Note that I always rinse the new sand before adding it as that reduces the dust storm that you'd get if you just added it from the bag.
I use aspen shavings for my snakes which is easy to maintain and cheap to replace so the enclosure stays clean. I wouldn't use that with the tort for fear of inpaction.
I'd like to invite suggestions on what you use that would benifit the torts health and be easy/cheap to dump and replace.
Mike.

Use dirt. It is going to be the best bet for almost any species of tortoise, and it is easy to come by. Sand and aspen are both no-goes because they don't hold moisture, which all torts need (even desert species). I have found that the simplest answer is usually the best one, and the simplest answer for me has been dirt for almost all of my tortoises.