Substrate for baby MBK

**Minkness** · 12-06-14, 03:32 PM

Ok, so, a newb here with a question. What else would you expect? Lol

My 'delema' is that I'll be getting a small Mbk. I love the natural look of eco earth or sand but have read that aspen is the best, but when I look at the aspen shavings the flakes look HUGE!

So, I was wondering if I could still use eco earth so long as I keep it clean and prove a 'dirt free' feeding area?

(While I like sand I know not to use. So no worries there, this is mostly just about eco earth for a little un' )

CrotalusR#1 · 12-06-14, 04:10 PM

What's wrong with using Eco earth? If your worried about the snake ingesting some while eating that's usually not a big deal. After all there's no one out in the wild making sure every snake doesn't eat a little dirt here and there lol. If you keep him well hydrated he will be fine.. I keep all of my animals on natural collected substrate from various different locations and out of the hundreds of snakes I have had for years I have never had a problem nor do I know any one who has.

**Minkness** · 12-06-14, 04:32 PM

Thank you!

BIGT FROM F.B. · 12-06-14, 04:58 PM

I have a baby MBK also. I use Aspen for all of my snakes. I like it because it's clean, you can see waste easily, it doesn't smell strong/bad to me. Of course, everyone will have their favorites, but Aspen is my favorite. Only thing, if you have a species that requires high humidity, it will mold very quickly. In that case, I would use Spag Moss. Just experiment and find out which one you like best. I didn't like the Eco Earth because it was like a muddy paste and had a strong odor.

**Minkness** · 12-06-14, 05:06 PM

Well it's an MBK, so not high humidity. I kind of like that earthy 'dirt' smell. I use it for one of my crestie tanks lol.

sharthun · 12-06-14, 05:15 PM

I use sani chips and love them. Very small uniform aspen chips.They have a natural look and very easy to clean.

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

**EL Ziggy** · 12-06-14, 05:22 PM

I definitely agree with Steve. I love sani chips for my critters too.

Cmwells90 · 12-06-14, 05:24 PM

Personally I use Coco husk, holds water very well, doesn't mold easily, and if you ever need to raise the humidity you can wet it and it'll slowly relase it into the air for you. Plus it's a dark color so it still looks good.

CrotalusR#1 · 12-06-14, 05:26 PM

I really like and have good success with about 30/100 red sand and 70/100 Eco earth. It doesn't get moldy and has a great earth smell. It looks great and can hold humidity if needed. I strongly recommend it.. You can use any sand with the Eco earth, I just use red sand cas it looks very cool.

**Minkness** · 12-06-14, 05:50 PM

Thanks for all the info! I'll use the coco husk or spagm moss for her moist hide like I do with my leos, but the sanichips are nice because they show off how black the MBK is!

I may play around with a few things first. So long as it isn't harmful of course. =)

Forkliftdriver · 12-07-14, 12:22 PM

I own a chinese water dragon, no more snakes. Anyway the only problem I've found with Eco Earth is it can harbour mold. I use it for its water holding abilities to keep the required 80 - 90% humidity. But if you slack off and forget to clean once it will start to mold and such, which I'm assuming isn't good for any reptiles respitory system. My CWD is going on 4 years with no problems how ever. I also have 3 common house geckos and a green anole all housed together in the same eco earth with no problems

**Minkness** · 12-07-14, 12:40 PM

Well, the substrate should stay relatively dry I'm thinking since the MBK doesn't require too much humidity. I'll be providing a moist hide with spagm moss (i never spell that right lol) or coco husk, but it will be separated from the substrate anyway. So the only moisture should come from the water bowl or the occasional spritzing.

Obsidian_Dragon · 12-08-14, 09:44 AM

I keep my MBK on (dry) ecoearth. It takes forever to dry out after soaking the bricks, but I prepare it way in advance so that's not a problem. Some people bake it dry in the oven at low temps, too.

Mold doesn't seem to be an issue if you're using it that way. It also seems to be pretty harmless stuff if they happen to ingest a bit of it--and they will. :P

SSSSnakes · 12-08-14, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obsidian_Dragon

I keep my MBK on (dry) ecoearth. It takes forever to dry out after soaking the bricks, but I prepare it way in advance so that's not a problem. Some people bake it dry in the oven at low temps, too.

Mold doesn't seem to be an issue if you're using it that way. It also seems to be pretty harmless stuff if they happen to ingest a bit of it--and they will. :P

Is that a heating rock in the tank. Heating rocks are dangerous to use with snakes. Cut the cord off and keep it as a decoration.

Obsidian_Dragon · 12-08-14, 02:07 PM

Huh? No, I know about heat rocks. That's just the thermostat probe...with a rock on top because certain dingbats kept moving it.

Even after I glued it in place. :|