Possible new substrate

[reverendsterlin]

While walking around Lowe's (builder supply store) garden center I came across a product called Inviroguard Mulch. The product looks like bark, comes in a brown/grey or red color, 30lb bags, at $6.49USD. The product is made %100 from recycled paper, the company states it has no harmfull chemicals, and has weight like bark not carefresh. I'm thinking I may give it a try and thought to pass the word to others that may be lookng for something cheaper than most other substrate products. Here's the company link Inviroguard Mulch (http://www.tasconindustries.com/Products/Horticulture/Horticulture.html)
Rev

[ChunkyMunky]

Let me know how it works out!

[Bartman]

looks good..and cheep. If your gonna try it let us know how it goes.

[Darlene]

Would it be at all comparable to the environmentally friendly kitty litter that is made from recycled newspaper ?

[Invictus]

I think I'll look for the same thing at Home Depot or Rona. Thanks for the info, Rev.

[reverendsterlin]

will post how I like it after the first good poop. Invictus, any time bro (no matter what the others say about you lol j/k)

[jwsporty]

Hey Rev,

Hmmm. Something you may want to look into

Quote from Inviroguard mulch website

"...it gives added organic matter and slowly releases nutrients to supplement your fertilization program."

What nutrients are they using to supplement their product and will they have any detremental effect on the herps? I know various animal by-products are used for "natural or organic nutrients. eg. (Sheep and Cow Manure,Bat Guano, Fish Emulsion.... used supplement Nitrogen...none of which smell the greatest when wet). Things like Blood Meal and Bone Meal are regularly used in "organic fertilizers", and they are exactly what they sound like, ground and mixed blood and bone matter from slaughtered cattle and dead animals. Some nutrients will increase either soil acidity or alkalinity,

Is any of this going to affect the herps health? I would personally look into it a little further before using it.

here is a link you may want to read

http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/factsheets2/fertilizer/jan89pr6.html


Hope this helps


Jim

[reverendsterlin]

Don't worry I checked, from what I have found out, the 'nutrients' are nothing but the decaying organic material (the paper product itself). I had seen that statement when looking at the website but the product has no added chemicals or other organic material.

[NewLineReptile]

Good luck with it let us know how it work's

Brandon

[jwsporty]

Likewise then , I would love to hear how it works out

Jim