Is this good substrate?

[lucky8926]

I ran across this stuff called Biomats here is the description of it:
A ¼-½ inch thich coconut fiber mat that is natural and breathable. It can be used as a replacement for artificial turf and other liners. Can be used alone or as a bottom layer to other natural substrates. Can be used in both wet and dry environments (except saltwater). It is washable and long lasting. Great for humid environments. Can be cut to fit. Weed and pathogen free.

Anyone heard of it or used it?? If so would this be a good substrate for a Ball Python?

[Brad C]

I dunno about that but to be safe why not just use newspaper?. If humidity is a concern then throw down some cypress and save yourself some money and possible problems that you could get from something such as biomats.

[Tim_Cranwill]

I wouldn't use it. I like to be able to throw away as much of the enclosure contents as possible when cleaning. With a product like that, I would worry that bacteria would just thrive in the warm and damp conditions even if it's washed regularly.

[lucky8926]

Thanks for the info guys!! I am having low humidity problems so I'm wanting something that is going to hold a little bit of moisture. Would aspen bedding work good for holding a little bit of moisture?

[Tim_Cranwill]

I would first look at how much ventilation you have. Aspen can get moldy pretty quickly (IMO). You want humidity, not just a wet cage, right? :)

I've heard bark mulch is good for humidity but I've never tied it myself. I use newspaper and it works for me.

[lucky8926]

I have plenty of ventilation, I have a screen top. I am using newspaper now it doesn't seem to hold moisture very well. By the way I don't actually have a BP yet i'm getting my temp/humidity correct first.

[RepTylE]

Originally posted by lucky8926
I have plenty of ventilation, I have a screen top. I am using newspaper now it doesn't seem to hold moisture very well. By the way I don't actually have a BP yet i'm getting my temp/humidity correct first.


Looks like you will be well informed and prepared for when you do get a BP. I think that you will find that the time and effort you are putting in now will pay off in the long run after you get your snake.

To answer the question, I never heard of biomats but like Tim suggested, it might be a breeding ground for micro-organisms and I would be hesitant to use it .

[Jeff_Favelle]

I have plenty of ventilation, I have a screen top

That's the EXACT opposite of what you want! I would say you have a long way to go before you should get your BP.

[lucky8926]

Originally posted by Jeff_Favelle
That's the EXACT opposite of what you want! I would say you have a long way to go before you should get your BP.

So what do you suggest I use for a top?

[Brad C]

Like I said for a substrate you should use Cypress...

[Tim_Cranwill]

Well, I don't know about "should" use cypress but it's an option for sure. I think people "should" use what is going to give them the conditions they need and will allow them to keep the enclosure clean. That's what people "should" use. :)

[HeatherRose]

So what do you suggest I use for a top?

While a lot of books and caresheets say they are, tanks are generally not the greatest thing for a Ball Python... have you looked into rubbermaids? They hold humidity well, and if you drill holes in the sides properly you will have great ventilation.

[Brad C]

Originally posted by Tim_Cranwill
Well, I don't know about "should" use cypress but it's an option for sure. I think people "should" use what is going to give them the conditions they need and will allow them to keep the enclosure clean. That's what people "should" use. :)

Ok and if he wants humidity and a substrate that will not mold like aspen then cypress is IMHO the best substrate. I have been using it for years and have had no problems at all. Its cheap, It looks natrual, and it holds humidity very well without molding.

Where can you go wrong?

[Jeff_Favelle]

Brad is right. Aspen molds like a son of a b***h. Cypress works well.

Sreen tops suck, so anythign but screen should work better. Ball Pythons are BURROWING, subterranean, fossorial, nocturnal snakes. If you want animals to put in an all-clear aquarium with a screen top, I'd suggest something aquatic ("AQUA"-rium), like fish.

If its just one snake, build a 3x2x1 cage with sliding glass doors with a 2-inch litter dam for like $30. Best cage you can get for just a pet BP. You'll never regret it! :D

[BoidKeeper]

You could always lay your tank on the side and then you have a front opening cage with a lot less air flow. All a cage with sliding glass doors is is a box with sliding glass doors. If you already have a glass tank then lay it on its side and you have a box made out of glass. You can cut down the light by taping black construction paper. If you want a sliding glass front you can still have it by glueing track into the top of the frame and putting in the two glass doors. I just use the screen cover.
No sense in building some thing when you can use what you already have.
Cheers,
Trevor

[lucky8926]

I think i'm going to check out cyprus. I was going to go with aspen but after reading up on it a little bit and as stated above it tends to mold. Will any cyprus do or do you recommend a certain brand?
I don't really like the thought of using a rubbermaid especially since I already spent the money on a tank, and UTH that is permanetly stuck to it now. I still have some minor adjustments and on my heat/humidity so the tank is almost complete.

Originally posted by BoidKeeper
You could always lay your tank on the side and then you have a front opening cage with a lot less air flow. All a cage with sliding glass doors is is a box with sliding glass doors. If you already have a glass tank then lay it on its side and you have a box made out of glass. You can cut down the light by taping black construction paper. If you want a sliding glass front you can still have it by glueing track into the top of the frame and putting in the two glass doors. I just use the screen cover.
No sense in building some thing when you can use what you already have.
Cheers,
Trevor

I saw alot of people had done this, of course I saw it AFTER I put my UTH on the bottom of the tank. If I knew about this before hand that is what I would have done.

[BoidKeeper]

and UTH that is permanetly stuck to it now.
Doh! Never ever do that for this very reason. You can get it off, I've taken off at leat four in my time. You can do it but you have to be very careful not to fold it in the process.
As for substrate I've personally switched from newspaper to repti bark. I use cyprus with my arboreal stuff but for balls I find it too wet and too splintery.(new word i think)
Cheers,
Trevor

[lucky8926]

I think I am going to try to take it off, if it folds i'm guessing it won't work anymore?

BoidKeeper- you said you use the screen cover. Are you using a tank on its side? If so how do you keep the screen cover secure on the tank with it on it's side?

Have any of you heard of carefresh??

[joey]

I stuck my UTH on the botton of my glass tank and then decided to turn it on it's side----ended up going out and buying a heating pad for humans and used that instead. --Works very well. The heating pad was only like $18 at K-Mart.

Newspaper works great too for substrate.

[lucky8926]

Joey I just decided to turn mine on the side. I'm going to try to get my UTH off but if I can't without folding it I guess I will just buy a new one. Didn't you post a pic of your tank in a thread not too long ago? I looked for it but couldn't find it.

I don't know how much I trust a human heating pad since they're not intended to be on for long periods of time. I would worry them being a possible fire hazard.

[BoidKeeper]

If so how do you keep the screen cover secure on the tank with it on it's side?
It depends on the sytle of lid. Some snap on over the outside edge of the tank while others simply lay there. There are also the type that have a lock on them. No matter what style of lid it is I almost always use nylon belts with plastic snap buckles like those on the straps of book bags. I buy the nylon belt and buckles at Canadian tire.
Here is an old pic that shows three differents style lids. Note the one with the strap.
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/504/289three_cages_stacked.jpg
Hope this helps,
Trevor

[lucky8926]

Thats a good idea! Mine is the kind that just sits there. I saw some lid lockers at the pet store but wasn't sure how good they work. What is this Canadian tire I keep reading about. I have never heard of it until I started coming to this forum...

[Asian Jon]

ahahahahaha you must not be from Canada...eh?

[lucky8926]

Nope, is everyone else from Canada???

[Asian Jon]

I think the majority is, where are you from lucky?

[BoidKeeper]

It's just a major hardware and automotive chain we have up here. You could get everything you need at a home depot.
Cheers,
Trevor

[lucky8926]

Asian Jon-Lincoln Illinios, USA

Thats why I hadn't ever heard of it, it's a Canadian thing..

[Manitoban Herps]

I know I will get in heck for typing this but its my experience.

I keep my adult male ball python in a 50 gallon aquarium, we made a homade lid made of melamine, keeps the humidtidy in well. And for substrate I use pine, thats right pine, I have had no problem with it ever so why switch?

He is doing great, no problems with pine or humdity :)

BTW - This is the only snake I keep in a aqauarium and on pine.

[Ptindy]

Hey Lucky, if you don't want to have to purchase a new pad, go to a local hardward store and purchase some ribbed plastic. They come in sheets. Ask them where their acrylic glass is (plastic clear sheets) and around there they should have a colored sheet of plastic that has a ribs on the inside. I forget what it's called, maybe corrugated plastic sheets??? They are only a couple bucks. Cut that to fit on top of your screen top and only leave a small gap on either end for ventilation. This should help keep your humidiity up. I keep my ball python on aspen shavings and just raise the humidity when he's going into shed and spray every now and again when he's not to keep it around 60. Also, weigh that top down!! Text books work well.

Mike

[Lokismommy]

I'm with Brad I use cypress mulch on almost all my snakes except for my pine snake and sand boa because humidity is really bad for them. Also cypress is much cheaper than aspen which does not hold humidity at all and molds very easily. If you need to keep your glass tank put plastic over the lid and sit something heavy on top so air cannot get in and leave a little opening for ventalation. And also since your tank is really big for a baby because they like small areas so they feel secure I would get a nice hide box that is not too big.