Substrate

Marshallarts · 01-07-15, 01:01 PM

Right now I am using paper towel, but it's really awful to clean because when Marshall pees, the pee goes through the paper towel onto the glass making a bigger mess. I then have to take his hides, water dish and climbing branch out, wipe down the tank and then put new paper towel in. So, I've been looking into other substrates. I like the idea of just scooping out the bit of substrate that got messed on. I also want something more appealing to look at. I don't like aspen and I really hate the plantation soil, Eco earth or whatever you call it. I do however want to try the coconut husk. Does anyone have experience with it? I've heard it's really good, keeps humidity and isn't too messy.

**Tsubaki** · 01-07-15, 01:58 PM

If you don't like Eco earth i do not think you would like Cocohusk, you could try something like reptibark? Or maybe woodpellets, they are pretty easy to clean if a snakes messes on them. They tend to disintegrate if you're humidity is high though. I personally am really fond of Green mile bedding if i have to choose something unnatural, its highly absorbent shredded cardboard. Might need to find a different brand over in Canada though. It is definitely what i would use if i wouldn't use natural bedding.

Cmwells90 · 01-07-15, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshallarts

I do however want to try the coconut husk. Does anyone have experience with it? I've heard it's really good, keeps humidity and isn't too messy.

I use coco husk and love it. It makes cleaning so much easier and it holds humidity amazingly. I only spray my boa's cage about once every week or two, then during sheds I give it a good bump. Plus it's easy to clean and replace.

Jim Smith · 01-07-15, 07:31 PM

Have you considered sani-chips. It is aspen wood, however it is not just shredded into small chips and splinters. Sani-chips are small flattened pellets that look attractive, are not dusty like aspen and cause the feces and urine to clump making cleanup a snap. Just a thought...

IW17 · 01-07-15, 07:43 PM

Hey Jim are the sani chips made of actual Aspen? I only ask cause Aspen can have a tendency to mold. The Op mentioned keeping their humidity up. I've considered sani chips myself for some of my snakes that don't need high humidity.

Jim Smith · 01-07-15, 07:51 PM

IW17, I can't tell for sure as the contents only states that they are made from heat-treated hardwood chips. Technically speaking, aspen is not a hard wood, even though it is a deciduous tree, but they don't state what species of wood is used. I suspect that it is a mix of different hardwoods probably from sawmill scraps. What I can tell you is that I've been using it for several months on all my snakes and really like it. There have been more than one water "spill" from snakes taking a bath in the water bowls etc. and even if I don't get the moist chips out for a couple of days, I have never experienced any mold problems at all.

IW17 · 01-07-15, 07:53 PM

Awesome I'm gonna have to try some

**Minkness** · 01-07-15, 07:58 PM

Jim, where did you get them? I can only find lizard litter at my store that are like tiny aspen flakes but they don't clump.

**EL Ziggy** · 01-07-15, 08:30 PM

I use sani chips also and I think it's great. Very easy to clean and good for the snakes to burrow in.

Native Earth Aspen Sani Chips 2.2 Cubic Foot Bedding | Pet 360

sharthun · 01-07-15, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I use sani chips also and I think it's great. Very easy to clean and good for the snakes to burrow in.

Native Earth Aspen Sani Chips 2.2 Cubic Foot Bedding | Pet 360

Same here !! Also they have a natural course, sandy look to them

**Minkness** · 01-07-15, 08:58 PM

Oh! Now that sounds great since I kinda hate the pale look of most substrate lol I like that earthy look. =)

Marshallarts · 01-07-15, 09:35 PM

Thanks , I'm definitely going to have to look into sani chips!

Jrich · 01-08-15, 12:24 AM

I want to try out the sani chips now. I've never seen any for sale in my local pet supply stores but Amazon sells them!!!!!!!

Jrich · 01-08-15, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshallarts

Right now I am using paper towel, but it's really awful to clean because when Marshall pees, the pee goes through the paper towel onto the glass making a bigger mess. I then have to take his hides, water dish and climbing branch out, wipe down the tank and then put new paper towel in. So, I've been looking into other substrates. I like the idea of just scooping out the bit of substrate that got messed on. I also want something more appealing to look at. I don't like aspen and I really hate the plantation soil, Eco earth or whatever you call it. I do however want to try the coconut husk. Does anyone have experience with it? I've heard it's really good, keeps humidity and isn't too messy.

Ever tried Repti-bark? I think it looks really nice in the tanks. I use it for some of my snakes that require certain humidity levels. They're able to burrow in it when they want and I find cleaning easy since any waste sticks to just a few chips that can be removed. I find that it neutralizes odors as well. I've yet to see visible signs of mold growth on it.

Jrich · 01-08-15, 12:33 AM

Maybe I should've included the actual substrate in the picture than just the bag haha.