Hi everyone. I need some tips for keeping eco earth really moist. I bought the loose bags, not bricks, and I'm having a lot of trouble. I just got a baby Hermann's tortoise today and I find I have to mist the stuff 10x a day and it still dries out after an hour. I've posted on a few tortoise forums and haven't gotten any help so I am coming to you for some tips.

I have the baby in a 50 gallon rubbermaid. Substrate is eco earth mixed with cypress mulch. The lamp is a 100watt MVB and I know that's what is drying the substrate out but I need the bulb. My tortoise needs 70% humidity. I'm lucky if I can keep it at 50-60% (it's 30% under the bulb) and humidity with tortoises is CRUCIAL. I don't want to risk pyramiding or dehydration. I plan to soak once a day for 15-20 mins. I do have a humid hide filled with moss but Hermann's like to burrow and they need moist substrate for it.

It's recommended that the eco earth be mixed with topsoil but there is no additive free topsoil I can find in Canada right now. Gardening isn't very popular during Canadian winters. Once spring hits, I'll be able to do that but I need solutions for now. Do you guys have any tips on how to keep this stuff moist? Should I take it out, soak it with water and add it back in? I just don't want to upset the little one too much =\