The BEST substrate????

[honduranfreekk]

Hi I was thinking of making the cresty enclosure look as natural as I can and wanted everyones thoughts on the BEST and SAFEST substrate to use????

I use paper towels now but would like something a little more attractive for the new setup but would like some different oppinions FIRST;)

Thank you for your time:)

Kelvin@Brigitte:unclesam:

[clint545]

For my Cresties, I use Zoo Med's Repti Bark mixed with peat moss.

Really any kind of substrate that's going to hold a bit of moisture and help the humidity is fine

[honduranfreekk]

Originally posted by clint545

Really any kind of substrate that's going to hold a bit of moisture and help the humidity is fine

I want to use something that is 100% safe and not just something that will work.

I do understand what your saying tho clint and I thank you for the respons.

I know there is MANNYYYYY substrates I COULD use BUT are they 100% SAFE??
I just dont want to take ANY CHANCES. I am just anal that way.

Ps mykee leave the anal comment ALONE lmao ;)

Kelvin@Brigitte

[little_dragon_]

I use moist packed down coco fiber.

[clint545]

No prob. Alot of ppl use the Eco Earth stuff. how big/old are your cresties? You'll want something where the wood chips aren't small enough that they may choke on them.

[honduranfreekk]

little dragon is the coco fiber 100% safe if ingested do you know???

clint the cresty is about 1.5 maybe 2 years old

Kelvin@Brigitte

[HeatherRose]

If you're going to want to be 100% safe, use paper towels :D I use that in my baby cages...

As for something natural looking, I use the eco-earth coconut stuff. Sometimes when they go for a cricket they end up eating mouthfuls of it, and I haven't had any problems *yet*....

[honduranfreekk]

Originally posted by HeatherRose
If you're going to want to be 100% safe, use paper towels :D

I knew that was coming lmao smart *** lol ;)

I know I know Heather lol.That is maybe what I will have to do if I cant find something 100% safe for them:p

Thanks for the replys and PLESE keep them coming :)

Kelvin@Brigitte

[Double J]

It's all about the eco-earth/coco-husk fiber/bedabeast....

It lasts long, looks great, is passed through the system VERY EASILY if ingested, is inexpensive, and is a by-product of an existing industry (coconut farming). Therefore, I find it to be the most ecologically responsible and best all around substrate.

[Manitoban Herps]

I use bark multch, the peices are so big that it can't fit into the cresties mouth, it looks real too. He always finds his crickets too.

[DragnDrop]

The trouble is that there probably isn't anything that's 100% safe. Even in the wild there will be some who die from eating the 'substrate' and they've evolved to live with whatever is there.

I use the coco-fibre or peat moss. The trick is to make sure you crumble it up really fine, no lumps. It's particularly important when using the coco-fibre. Even a clump of the dry stuff can expand tremendously if swallowed. Make sure it's all smooth and lump free. Peat and coco-fibre help retain humidity, provide some padding for the Rhacs when they launch themselves after insects so they don't injure their mouths on the hard floor. Paper towel works well, but it doesn't provide the extra 'cushioning' unless you use a dozen or more sheets. It's easy to spot clean the coco-fibre and peatmoss, and they probably work out way cheaper than paper towels and can be recycled in the garden or composter as well.

Bark chips and bark mulch don't sit well with me. I've seen all kinds of Rhacs dive to the floor and get a mouthful of substrate. Even if they manage to spit out the bark or mulch, there's always a chance of splinters. And it's much easier for crickets to hide between the particles. It allows poop to disappear, never seen again..... to be smelled from across the room after it's fermented deep down in the moist wood for a week or more. :eek:

[Thrush]

Does anyone have problems with coco fiber going moldy from the humidity?
And how often do people who use it, replace it? (Besides spot cleaning)
I beleive I shall eventually switch from paper towels if my crestie ever puts any weight on. :S
Although, He did just shed!! Yay!

[HeatherRose]

I've NEVER had coco fiber (in eco-earth form) turn moldy ever. It keeps the humidity great. It's a wonder-substrate :P

[honduranfreekk]

I want to thank you all for the great info and the help:)

I Think we have made our mind up and will use the coco-fibre.

Hilde like you said also it will work out way cheaper than paper towels.I hear ya there as we go through MANNYYYYYYY rolls a month lol.

Once again I would like to thank everyone who took the time to reply to this post and help out here:)

Kelvin@Brigitte

[DragnDrop]

There's one other substrate I use in some of my tanks, but I don't mention it often since it doesn't appear to be availabe in Canada (or I haven't seen it here).
A few of my tanks, particularly baby cresties and gargoyles have coco panels. It's not the mats you buy to line flower baskets for summer displays. These are dark brown 'slabs' of coco fibre, somewhat rigid when dry and hold their shape very well. They're about an inch thick to make great padding on the floor for launching geckos like Rhacs and Uroplatus. Dart froggers use them on the walls to attach epiphytes.
If they are available here, it's worth looking into them, but I had them given to me by a friend visiting from the US.

[honduranfreekk]

Hilde would you have a pic of one???.Maybe I could take a look around the garden centers here and see if I can find some.

Thanks

Kelvin@Brigitte

[DragnDrop]

Mine came from Ponside Herp Supply herpsupplies.com (http://www.herpsupplies.com/)
The panels are at Pressed Cocos Panels (http://www.herpsupplies.com/product.cfm?id=Cocos-Panel) If that link doesn't work, go to Viviarium Supplies - Backgrounds and it should be right at the top of the list.