Question about BRB substrate?

BoidKeeper · 07-13-03, 11:38 AM

I'm just wondering what everyone is using?
I was using layers of newspaper and then lots of balled up newspaper. No hide boxes just lots of damp newspaper that I would spray every so often. I stopped using it lately after finding mould under it for the third time. I'm assuming I wasn't changing it enough. It seemed to be worse now that the summer is here. With my other snakes I change the paper when they dirty but with these guys I had to change it more often to stay ahead of the mould. Not that I have a problem with that at all I'm just wondering what other peoples experiences are.
I wanted to go to sphagnum moss but I don't want them ingesting any of it when I feed them.

So this is what I using now. It's newspaper and two hides with sphagnum.

My concern with this set up is that it may not be humid enough. For feeding I just lay the rat on the newspaper out side the biggest hide and so far no problem by morning it's gone.
Here's what I want to do. I want to stay with the humid hides and use the ecco earth coconut substrate on the cage floor. I've used it before and I liked it for my corns but I don't know if it would be suitable enough for the BRB's
Thanks for the feedback,
Trevor

asphyxia · 07-13-03, 11:59 AM

Hey Trev,

I am using damp coconut substrate and its working out fine, as a matter of fact she just had a perfect shed, this makes about 8 in a row, she also hasent missed a meal.

For the Humid(er) hide i have spagnum moss under a plant pot tray

Cheers
Brian

Jeff_Favelle · 07-13-03, 02:37 PM

Newspaper that's a LOT wetter than that.

Linds · 07-13-03, 04:07 PM

I'm with Jeff, wet newspaper is the way to go

PoiSoNouS · 07-13-03, 04:33 PM

I use newspaper too.. they are always in their water bowl Or in the sphagnum moss... wich I spray every day...
works Great !

asphyxia · 07-13-03, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Newspaper that's a LOT wetter than that.

Hey Jeff.
How do you know, how wet it is? lol

I also use my snake enclosures as "displays" and newspaper looks like crap. IMO.

Keep in mind that type of enclosure is also a major factor when discussing humidity

P.s. I cleared my PM Jeff, if possible can you resend that lock note

Regards
Brian

Jeff_Favelle · 07-13-03, 04:51 PM

Ha ha, because I can see it!

Resending..........

BoidKeeper · 07-13-03, 05:31 PM

I was using lots of wet news paper. I had a layer on the bottom and the lost all balled up for them to crawl through. Is that what you guys are doing or do you just put down news paper spray it and give them humid hides? How often are you changing it? Has mould ever been a problem for any of you guys?
Thanks,
Trevor

Jeff_Favelle · 07-13-03, 05:54 PM

I use about 10 layers of newspaper and I spray it heavily initially. Then I put a water dish on the warm end it stays pretty good for abou 3 weeks, depending on their poop cycles. You won't have a problem with mold until you have a problem with mold. LOL! What I mean is, once you get mold once, its hard to not ever get it again. But if you keep the cages clean, the mold is easy to keep out.

I'm not saying your newspaper is not wet enough. There's a comfortable range that's pretty forgiving for BRB's as far as humidity goes. If its too dry, they'll soak in the water as well. They aren't dumb. I do the exact opposite as everyone else. I keep them too wet with a dry hide box. I think it allows for more mistakes to happen that won't result in dead animals. Keeping a cage too dry with a moist hide box is a time bomb waiting to blow. All that needs to happen is a small heat wave and good ventilation and you dry out the hide box, with no where for the BRB to go. Not likely to happen, but with over 20 adult Rainbows (Colombian and Brazilian), I don't take the chance.

BoidKeeper · 07-13-03, 07:18 PM

Thanks Jeff. I decided to go back to the newspaper all though out. I really wanted to try the ecco earth with two moist hides but I just can't bring my self to buy substrate when I know newspaper works so well already. I'll just have to keep a close eye on the mould. When it does show up I find it between the plastic on the bottom of the container and the newspaper. I've only ever seen it on the suface the snake gets on once.
Thanks again,
Trevor

asphyxia · 07-13-03, 08:02 PM

I use coconut substright for atb aswell

Brian

Jeff_Favelle · 07-13-03, 08:05 PM

If you want to see mold, check out a gravid female BRB's cage 4 months into gravidity. Breeders don't disturb the females while they are gravid so the mold just keeps coming! We try to spot clean, but it gets REEAAAL bad near the end. Its no problems though. Once she gives birth, she gets put into a new cage, has a shed, and the cycle starts all over again.

I don't worry about mold. Just change the newspaper 2x per month and your laughing. Having a display substrate is nice when you have 1 animal and huge cage and the time/money to deal with it. But nothing is more functional than newspaper for BRB's.

asphyxia · 07-13-03, 08:09 PM

I agree with that Jeff, when she is old enough to breed it will be another story

Where is that pic ?

Brian

BoidKeeper · 07-13-03, 08:23 PM

That's great guys thanks. Brian I'm going to use it for the ATB's too.
Jeff what about when they out grow the cages their in now, then what. How are your adults cages set up? Any pics showing substrate and hide boxes?
Thanks,
Trevor

Jeff_Favelle · 07-13-03, 08:33 PM

I'll get right on it Chewie. I'm downstairs building a new rack for the BP's, so I'll pop off some pics of the BRB cages while I'm there...................