WDB Substrate suggestions ? I want to switch it up

[venomousluva]

Hi all i'm new to the site here and was just wondering if anyone cares to give there opinion on bedding so far i been keeping my WDB in aspen and i'm not to fond of it so i have decided to switch it up these are the choices i have came up with indoor-outdoor carpet , Repti Bark , cypress mulch , Leaf litter , crushed walnut shells so far i'm leaning towards crushed walnut shells as a 1st idea 2nd idea would be cypress mulch 3rd idea Repti Bark and as for indoor-outdoor carpet not really interested in that but some kinds do look pretty nice and leaf litter i'm really not interested in so i would like to hear some opinions preferably from someone that keeps WDB and have tried some of these Substrates and what they find to be best for snake and nicer for display and if you have any other suggestions please let me know thank you...

[infernalis]

http://www.thamfriends.com/mat.jpg

[emseeKAY]

personally, i like natural looking enclosures, so whatever is closest to the habitat the animal naturally occurs in. as for WDB's there are a few people on here that keep hots, but not too many, i think RandyRoads has a North pacific, and BlindOne has kept some vipers i believe, best to ask them IMO

[Nivniv]

You don't really need hot/wdb experience to answer this question... cypress mulch, no brainer. Substrate is pretty universal as far as snake sp. go. Cypress may not contrast with your specimen as much as you'd like it to but it's the best choice for a snake from just about any biome. No toxins and small risk of injestion, I'd still play it safe and lay down newspaper to put your prey items on while feeding though.

Imo, never keep a snake on walnut shells, one of the worst substrates to keep your reptile on for risk of impaction, this stuff shouldn't even be manufactured as substrate. Terrerium carpet is not fun to clean, leaf litter is too messy, repti-bark is a waste of money and I never quite liked the way it looked as a matter of personal preference, same with aspen, so your best option would be cypress from a warehouse store like homedepot, don't waste money buying a bag with a picture of a reptile on it.

Good luck and cheers,
Thomas

[percey39]

My honest opinion is cat litter, only the one that is 100% recycled new paper. As its so easy to spot clean, looks better than news paper, gives them something to hide in, really cheap and dust free. All these points in my opinion make if far better than any other substrate. My adders though do get leaf litter as it helps them hide and lure prey.

[emseeKAY]

My honest opinion is cat litter, only the one that is 100% recycled new paper. As its so easy to spot clean, looks better than news paper, gives them something to hide in, really cheap and dust free. All these points in my opinion make if far better than any other substrate. My adders though do get leaf litter as it helps them hide and lure prey.

could you post some pics of your adders? I love adders, amazing looking animals!

[BlindOne]

I'd agree with the suggestion of cypress mulch, it's cheap, holds humidity, doesn't mold and looks great. When I was keeping rattlesnakes, I primarily used newspaper but I would use mulch today.

I understand your dislike of aspen, even a hint of moisture and it molds. I've tried it a few times but I always go back to mulch.

Got pix of your WDB?

[BlindOne]

so your best option would be cypress from a warehouse store like homedepot, don't waste money buying a bag with a picture of a reptile on it.

QFT! I think I pay $3 for a cubic yard at Lowe's

[venomousluva]

Thanks for reply's i'm going to go with cypress mulch i think it will feel much better on the snake. And looks good and can be bought in bulk .--?--..Anyone have a special preference on what's best,safest,cheapest,smartest, way for heating source i been using the heat tape and gun for testing all working fine but i been told a simple human heating pillow is just as easy and cheap ,safe just set on lowest temp and put in tank cover it up theirs also those heat cable's? i could name off many but i'm wondering as i like others opinions to ..... ? What's 1st safest,cheap but not junk ,easy to work with and so on iv tried a fair mount of heating units and all worked out but i get outdated here on the ranch if you got the time shoot a personal opinion thank yall cheerz m8'z

[venomousluva]

Thanks for reply's i'm going to go with cypress mulch i think it will feel much better on the snake. And looks good and can be bought in bulk .--?--..Anyone have a special preference on what's best,safest,cheapest,smartest, way for heating source i been using the heat tape and gun for testing all working fine but i been told a simple human heating pillow is just as easy and cheap ,safe just set on lowest temp and put in tank cover it up theirs also those heat cable's? i could name off many but i'm wondering as i like others opinions to ..... ? What's 1st safest,cheap but not junk ,easy to work with and so on iv tried a fair mount of heating units and all worked out but i get outdated here on the ranch if you got the time shoot a personal opinion thank yall cheerz m8'z

[venomousluva]

Thanks for reply's i'm going to go with cypress mulch i think it will feel much better on the snake. And looks good and can be bought in bulk .--?--..Anyone have a special preference on what's best,safest,cheapest,smartest, way for heating source i been using the heat tape and gun for testing all working fine but i been told a simple human heating pillow is just as easy and cheap ,safe just set on lowest temp and put in tank cover it up theirs also those heat cable's? i could name off many but i'm wondering as i like others opinions to ..... ? What's 1st safest,cheap but not junk ,easy to work with and so on iv tried a fair mount of heating units and all worked out but i get outdated here on the ranch if you got the time shoot a personal opinion thank yall cheerz m8'z


All get pics up when i get her settled in new enclosure

[shaunyboy]

hello and welcome.

i use ceramic set ups in all but one of my tanks.ive found them to be consistant and accurate in heating my tanks.they are non light emmiting so i dont know if thats any good for your snakes.its only morelia i work with so do not know your particular requirements.
cheers shaun

[Lankyrob]

We also have ceramics in every vivarium - its what we are happy with but people have theri own favourites.

[dragunov.762]

i use regular light bulbs (incandescent) and a red light for night. i also got a dimmer switch meant for lamps (you just cut the on off switch off and insert the ends in the ends of the dimmer and your good to go, no wire stripping involved) you can also buy reptile lamps with dimmer switches on them for about 14 to 24 dollars depending on the size and where you get them. the lights don't last as long as the ceramic heat emitters but they are a ton cheaper

[percey39]

I use infrared globes in all my tanks, i believe they are a consistant heat as long as you trial and error till you have the right wattage globe. The ceramics i find risky as you really have no idea that they have blown untill you have a close look.

[Lankyrob]

I use infrared globes in all my tanks, i believe they are a consistant heat as long as you trial and error till you have the right wattage globe. The ceramics i find risky as you really have no idea that they have blown untill you have a close look.


Using a pulse thermostat with a ceramic it should be constantly pulsing (after the initial warming of the viv) - if suddenly the thermostat starts sending constant power trying to heat the viv you know hte bulb has blown (or at least that there is some issue). Just a case of keeping a regular eye on the thermostat really.

[percey39]

Cheers for that info, i had not looked into pulse thermostats. To me though it still seems easier to tell if your using infrared globes when they blow there is no light.

[venomousluva]

hey yall, Could someone post picture of infrared globes and pulse thermostat and the kind's of ceramic's yall be using? unless its a pain. or some links would be great thanks..

[Lankyrob]

You can just do a search for Habi-Stat Pulse Proportional Thermostats - over here they are about £40 each. The ceramic bulbs are just standard 150W ceramic bulbs.