coconut substrate

[remsin76]

i want to switch over to the coconut substrate for my ball pyhton. i head however that its too "dusty" when dry and when wet it is too prone to bacteria growth. and then theres the coconut chips i think they're called. how are these used? i also heard of coco whihc is made of cocoa beans. does anyone haev any experience with using all or any of these? thanks

[Zoe]

I've used coconut substrate before, and had no problems with it, but I sprayed often and replaced every couple of months.

Zoe

[yankeefoxtrot]

I think a BP would be fine on coconut, but i have read the same about the substrate. I have used it before and had no problems.

Lucas

[asphyxia]

I am using the expandable coconut substrate for my:

ATB, BRB, BCI, BP and Corn at different degrees of moisture and humidity levels and have had perfect sheds with all species every time. Also, I have not had any problems with mold or dust.

Regards
Brian

[Colonel SB]

I also use it on my mid sized boids and it works fine.

[eyespy]

The chips are better for growing orchids than herps but I love the shredded fibers from the hulls. I've had no problems with dust or molds and have been using it for frogs, lizards and snakes for over 10 years now.

[reverendsterlin]

I have had a problem with fruit flies when using it due to the moisture.

[asphyxia]

So thats where there comming from

Thanks Rev.

Now What?


I also should mention that I have them in another enclosure that has the Forest Bark substright

[RachelS.]

ewww fruit flies are gross (hahaha just thought I'd add). How do they get there in the first place? I mean, c'mon... they like appear outta nowhere.

I use coconut substrate for my male bci, my ornamental tarantula, and I have used it for my ball python. I think it works really well :)

[Solid Snake]

i use it for my ball python and its not too wet, not too dry. I mist the cage everyday/everynight.

[Mardy]

Coco S**t goes moldy real quick, and the chocolate smell is just to much indoors.

Mardy

[remsin76]

alright thanks guys im gonna switch over to the coconut fibers. i like it cause it looks nice is cheap and hold good moisture. thanks for the advice

[tHeGiNo]

Originally posted by Mardy
Coco S**t goes moldy real quick, and the chocolate smell is just to much indoors.

Mardy

Coco and coconut are two different things. I believe what you are referring to is the shells from coco beans.

[jncoclub]

I've used EccoEarth and Ecco Forst which are both the exapandable coconut fibers. They work great except my grapevines to climb on and the wooden hidey holes that touch the substrate mold becasue of the moisture. I taped saranwrap to the botoms of the arched hideoholes- it;s tacky, but they no longer have mold.
I have also noticed a couple fruit flies- they really pose no threat- right?

[baller]

Even if there are fruit flies they only live for 24hrs.

[jncoclub]

Really?
So they don't propose any threat?
How did they get there to begin with?

[baller]

Really I have no clue but on Everybody Loves Raymond there was an episode on fruit flies. But they do only live for 24 hrs so I would assume they are no threat. But latley scientists have been successful with giving a fruitfly 37 days to live. I dont know exactly how they get there but they do like humid areas.

[Linds]

I find any of those expandable substrates, even the chips, contain a good degree of dust and are better left to higher humidity animals, because once it dries it has all sorts or little particles that can easily become airborne.

Cocoa shells are NOT a suitable substrate for anything other than plants in your garden. The substances in them can and will kill herps, and many other animals as well.

[jncoclub]

My boyfriend said that he learned from the Discovery Channel that fruit flies don't necessarily live 24 hours, they live a certain set amount of times that their wings flap, which ussually runs it's course around the 24 hour mark.