View Full Version : substrate question
NewHerp293
11-06-14, 12:39 PM
So i had to buy my second bag of shredded aspen after about 5 months with my little girl, not bad at all. But when i found the shredded aspen there was also a bag of aspen chips for the same price right next to it. Is there a significant difference or does anyone have an opinion on which is better??
sharthun
11-06-14, 12:45 PM
It's hit and miss on shredded aspen. Some have more dust than others. I switched to aspen sani chips a few months back and will never go back to regular shredded aspen.
Native Earth Aspen Sani Chips 2.2 Cubic Foot Bedding | Pet 360 (http://www.pet360.com/product/9215/native-earth-aspen-sani-chips-22-cubic-foot-bedding)
NewHerp293
11-06-14, 12:50 PM
Do the chips provide the same amount of ability to hold a burrow? Also i wondered about the dust because the shredded aspen says "dust free", which i know will never be completely true but the aspen chips didnt say anything about dust
sharthun
11-06-14, 12:53 PM
Do the chips provide the same amount of ability to hold a burrow? Also i wondered about the dust because the shredded aspen says "dust free", which i know will never be completely true but the aspen chips didnt say anything about dust
The sani chips don't hold an existing burrow like the shredded will,but my snakes burrow all over in the sani chips. Also the sani chips are relatively dust free. And easier to clean. It clumps like kitty litter.
SSSSnakes
11-06-14, 12:59 PM
It clumps like kitty litter.
Since it clumps like Kitty litter, I might be concerned that if swallowed it might cause impaction.
I have used the chipped aspen and never had any issues with it. Dust is always a problem, but there is a lot of dust in the wild and snakes still seem to survive. A think some times Hobbyist seem to over think things. IMO
sharthun
11-06-14, 01:05 PM
Since it clumps like Kitty litter, I might be concerned that if swallowed it might cause impaction.
I have used the chipped aspen and never had any issues with it. Dust is always a problem, but there is a lot of dust in the wild and snakes still seem to survive. A think some times Hobbyist seem to over think things. IMO
No ingestion or impaction issues at all. You don't want to put wet prey on the sani chips though. That may be too much fiber!
EL Ziggy
11-06-14, 01:40 PM
I agree with Steve. I prefer the sani-chips over the shredded aspen but you get quite a bit more of the shredded aspen for the same price. I'd still say go with the sani-chips. I think it's more absorbent, controls odors better, and I like the way it clumps the waste for easy clean up.
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