The packet should have instructions on it. I just put in enough water to cover the brick. Throw by feel.

Thanks Cerat, forgive me if I sound daft - but is it supposed to stay moist, or Do i wait for it to dry first?

Do the squeeze test. Grab a handful of the peat and squeeze, no water should drip.
This could also be specie dependent, but for a curly, the squeeze trick should do fine.

Thanks! And then, do i keep it moist for Curly Sue? Or leave it - let it dry out? Im asking because the videos I've seen, the subtrate looks very dry and loose...

Me again, sorry! I just read this on the Reptile City site:

Peat or potting compost should not be used as they really need to be sterilised and changed frequently.


Help!

Hi Bee_C and welcome

You want to use something that won't mould but will keep the moisture in to maintain humidity.

Potting compost and 'normal' garden peat won't do. They keep decomposing and releasing nutrients which is good for plants, but suck for T's. Plus the mite problem.

Coconut husk peat on the other hand doesn't decompose, well at least not fast enough to be a problem, so look specifically for dehydrated coconut husk peat.

The blocks I buy have their packaging removed, so I had to do a bit of trial and error without the instructions:

What you do is get a big container (bigger than you think you'll need) break off small chunks. Slowly add boiling water and see the stuff come alive as it swells and expands! Don't add too much water. Puddles means too much water, and stir to get the clots separated. Let it cool.

Stuff's magic in how much water it can absorb, so what I do is get a large tray and tediously squeeze out handfulls so that it doesn't drip anymore, then spread it on the tray for a couple of hours to cool to room temp and dry out some more.

Don't worry about making too much. It's pretty cheap. I'd rather make too much than too little and go through the tedious hand squeezing again.

Hope this helps! B Albopilosums are the Best!