Crazy idea?

Strutter769 · 03-01-12, 09:38 PM

So we're getting tubs ready for the new tennants, complete with hide boxes, and wifey had an idea. Instead of moss (or a paper towel, cuz I'm more if a naturalistic kind o' guy) what about natural sponge? It can be boiled to clean it, naturally holds moisture, I think it's mold resistant, can be torn into tiny piece or crumbles to resemble clumps of earth or what have you...

Any negatives to this novel idea?

theapexgerman · 03-01-12, 09:40 PM

Hmm sounds like it would work but I got no clue

red ink · 03-01-12, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strutter769

So we're getting tubs ready for the new tennants, complete with hide boxes, and wifey had an idea. Instead of moss (or a paper towel, cuz I'm more if a naturalistic kind o' guy) what about natural sponge? It can be boiled to clean it, naturally holds moisture, I think it's mold resistant, can be torn into tiny piece or crumbles to resemble clumps of earth or what have you...

Any negatives to this novel idea?

Hold's moisture a little too well.....

Strutter769 · 03-01-12, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red ink

Hold's moisture a little too well.....

Is that a bad thing? I don't understand. I think it's mold-resistant. Is that your concern?

aj099 · 03-01-12, 10:58 PM

if the sponge hold`s to much moisture it can cause belly rot
and im no expert but i would think the urine would get soaked in it
and stay? maybe causing bacteria.

but maybe im wrong

Strutter769 · 03-01-12, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aj099

if the sponge hold`s to much moisture it can cause belly rot
and im no expert but i would think the urine would get soaked in it
and stay? maybe causing bacteria.

but maybe im wrong

Understandable. Our idea was to boil it once a week (when changing out the aspen bedding) to keep it clean. Also, the sponges would not be soaked but wrung out, much like you would a paper towel in the same application. Still no?

aj099 · 03-01-12, 11:08 PM

you could be right there boiling would kill any bacteria.
and aslong as it`s not soaked but rung out like you said might be
a decent idea,

like i say i could be wrong.
no experience with sponge other then the one to clean my car haha

Caylan · 03-01-12, 11:36 PM

I can't see it working, and ingesting a piece could be very problematic. I throw out my paper towel, not sure who washes and reuses them, thats nasty... If sponge got pee'd on or worse, I'm not cleaning it... Seems more hassle then its worth, and I agree with the statement about belly rot, just never know...

Skumbo · 03-02-12, 01:01 AM

it could also hold so much moisture its actually absorbing it from the environment and it would be the moisture equivalent of a hot rock, just a big wet lump not evaporating anything into the ambient air

Strutter769 · 03-02-12, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skumbo

it could also hold so much moisture its actually absorbing it from the environment and it would be the moisture equivalent of a hot rock, just a big wet lump not evaporating anything into the ambient air

Well remember, I don't plan to use it as a substrate, only in the hide as a humidity box (or whatever), in the place of moss or a paper towel. Substrate is aspen.

Gungirl · 03-02-12, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strutter769

Well remember, I don't plan to use it as a substrate, only in the hide as a humidity box (or whatever), in the place of moss or a paper towel. Substrate is aspen.

You never stated in your original post that you only wanted to use it as a humid hide. If that is the case that is fine. I can see that making a great humid hide, just not for overall sub-straight.

KORBIN5895 · 03-02-12, 07:45 AM

I myself was slightly confused. I thought he meant a humid hide then I wasn't sure.

As opposed to shredding it why not cut it into slabs?

Strutter769 · 03-02-12, 08:07 AM

Oops! I was wondering why people were worried about scale rot! Lol No, the bedding is aspen, the sponge will only be in the moist hide for the BRB's. Maybe the Maddys too, but they don't really require the humidity, so probably only when in blue would I wet the sponge. Other than that, it'd just mimic leaf litter.

Skumbo · 03-02-12, 06:21 PM

I knew you meant in the hide, my point was it would be like a less efficient version of soaking bowl, the air int he hide wouldn't be very humid since the sponge might absorb the ambient humidity.

that said, i dont believe thats what would happen, thinking to how sponges always dry out if you leave them out.. so they most likely give it off quite well!