What's the best substrate? - Page 3

HetForHuman · 10-18-03, 10:47 PM

HEHHE yeah i know what you mean..

I myself would go with the reptibark, orchid bark stuff, it looks really nice in the cages and works fairly well holding humidity too.

i would just make sure not to feed on it though.

Good luck with whatever you find to use.

maiden_canada · 10-19-03, 10:53 PM

what do you guys think about carefresh?

lilyskip · 10-20-03, 10:38 AM

i've heard carefresh is really dusty. i don't use it, but if you need something relatively inexpensive that your snakes could burrow in, it would be functional. i also don't think there is a danger of impaction with it, either.

Ron · 10-20-03, 11:04 AM

CareFresh is fairly dusty, when I first put it in I mist the entire enclosure which keeps the dust down. My snakes usually checks out the enclosure which mats the CareFresh down and that also helps with the dust. I mist every couple of days to ensure the Carefresh doesn't get too dry and start to break up. They also make an "ultra" carefresh that is supposed to be less dusty but it is more expensive.

elevation24 · 10-20-03, 11:18 AM

I haven't noticed dust with CareFresh at all.

I think it works great. It's not too expensive, holds water or can be completely dry, looks okay, and it's easy to clean. It's also completely safe, although there is a risk of impaction -- in fact if my memory serves me correctly it even says so on the bag. But I haven't had any problems with it at all

AnniesMom · 10-20-03, 08:21 PM

Maiden, I use the cypress mulch for my BP, anid it works great. She wasn't shedding properly until I put it in to up the humidity. I get it at the pet store in the shopping centre on the corner of Blanshard and Cloverdale. Small bags, but it lasts for a long time, if you clean it and let the cage have ventilation

maiden_canada · 10-20-03, 08:58 PM

sweet anniesmom, i go to Safari pets about once every 2 weeks. everything there is soo expensive though, like every pet store. ill phone up a couple gardening stores and home harware etc...

Slannesh · 10-26-03, 05:39 AM

Over the last 5 years i've used a few different things for my BP

1) Astroturf. Was ok, but a pain to clean, If you go this route get several pieces that are the same size as the floor of your enclosure, Pull the soiled one out and clean it in a sink of very hot water and a couple capfuls of bleach. Then rinse it THOROUGHLY. Hang to dry.

2) Reptibark or something similar, Used this for several years, easy to spot clean, better for overall humitity than astroturf but much more expensive. If parasites are a concern try tossing it on a cookie sheet in the oven for half an hour at I think about 220 degrees Celcius. I'd have to double check the temp and the duration but that sounds about right to kill most bugs.

3) Newsprint.. Basically free once you're done reading for the day

Easy to clean, just throw it away. But looks icky and obviously doesn't help the humidity at all.

I'm using newsprint at the moment but vastly prefer the bark mulch. The snake doesn't seem to care one way or the other however

Tigergenesis · 10-26-03, 07:36 AM

I've been using Lizard Liner (a green felt carpet). I like the look, it's easy to spot clean and I can feed w/o worry of impaction. Of course, does nothing to help humidity. I change out once a week with a fresh piece no problem.

I also like the look of Reptibark, etc. I've been afraid to use it because I feared I wouldn't be able to do a good job of spot cleaning. Is it as easy to miss messes as I think with Reptibark (and similiar) substrates. Now my little guy is small and messes are small, but I was thinking when it gets bigger (and leaves bigger messes) I might switch to another substrate - thinking it'd be easier to find the 'presents'.

Linds · 10-26-03, 08:02 AM

I've tried several things and always returned to newspaper/paper towel. Great for all sort on environments. Like Big Mike, I also err on the side of caution and put the black and white side up on the newspaper.

Carefresh works well in all sorts of environments as well. Bit on the pricey side however, and you can't feed on it.

Aspen molds.

Repti-bark and the like are made from fir bark, a softwood. The phenols can prove harmful to the animals respiratory system and liver. Though fir bark is very mild, I still wouldn't chance it.

Cypress is a great substrate for a more natural look. Good in with humidity, looks great, cannot feed on it however.