different supstrates

JWFugle · 05-04-14, 10:10 PM

does anyone else have these issues? i am sick of it and looking for alternative substrate. currently using eco earth. im thinking of doing some sort of large river rocks or like fish tank pebbles. what do you guys use/suggest and not suggest? i know pine is bad but looking for something that looks good not paper towl...

this happens a lot after eating. :/

JWFugle · 05-04-14, 10:12 PM

it looks like she has a dip in haha...

but all seriousness i dont like it. after a day or two to digest if she still has it i will take her out and gently rub her face and can usually brush it out without stressing her too much. but it just shouldnt be a problem and i want it fixed.

MCB · 05-05-14, 04:08 AM

I was like you always looking for something I felt happy with, reptil bark, orchard bark, mulch, etc, tried the lot but was never right, ended up using paper and will never use anything else now. Not much help I know, sorry.

Moreau · 05-05-14, 12:32 PM

I too had a go at coco coir, didn't like how dusty/dirty it was. I also found it difficult to locate every brown pile that wasn't coco husk lol!

I have since switched to indented brown kraft paper. Comes in giant rolls, is nice and thick, looks better than white paper towel and works fantastic.

sharthun · 05-05-14, 12:43 PM

Have you guys tried sani chips? Very small uniform aspen chips.Almost dust free. Easy to locate messes and spot clean, clumps like kitty litter. I just have colubrids and I switched a few months ago, and will never go back to regular aspen bedding.

Native Earth Aspen Sani Chips 2.2 Cubic Foot Bedding | Free Shipping - Pet360 Pet Parenting Simplified

MCB · 05-05-14, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharthun

Have you guys tried sani chips? Very small uniform aspen chips.Almost dust free. Easy to locate messes and spot clean, clumps like kitty litter. I just have colubrids and I switched a few months ago, and will never go back to regular aspen bedding.

Native Earth Aspen Sani Chips 2.2 Cubic Foot Bedding | Free Shipping - Pet360 Pet Parenting Simplified

Just read some reviews on this and reports are very favourable, might try this in my corn rack, thanks for this

sharthun · 05-05-14, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCB

Just read some reviews on this and reports are very favourable, might try this in my corn rack, thanks for this

Np, Knox, a fellow forum member recommended this substrate to me awhile back. My snakes and myself love it! Especially cleaning time! It's a breeze! And they stay fresh for a very long time because of the ease of spot cleaning. Of course I don't know how it would work with large snakes. Someone needs to test it lol!

JWFugle · 05-05-14, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharthun

Have you guys tried sani chips? Very small uniform aspen chips.Almost dust free. Easy to locate messes and spot clean, clumps like kitty litter. I just have colubrids and I switched a few months ago, and will never go back to regular aspen bedding.

Native Earth Aspen Sani Chips 2.2 Cubic Foot Bedding | Free Shipping - Pet360 Pet Parenting Simplified

that stuff looks pretty good. can i ask, do you feed inside the cage and find the pellets stick to the mice/rats? thats my only concern is it will still stick and get caught in her mouth like this coco stuff...

JWFugle · 05-05-14, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCB

I was like you always looking for something I felt happy with, reptil bark, orchard bark, mulch, etc, tried the lot but was never right, ended up using paper and will never use anything else now. Not much help I know, sorry.

yea i hear you, but i just cant do paper... idk what it is about it but i hate it in my cage.

i also only have 1 snake so clean up and expenses are not even remotely as much of an issue compared to some guys and gals on here.

**EL Ziggy** · 05-05-14, 02:39 PM

Thanks to brother Steve here, I'm also a sani chips fan. Very easy to clean and holds burrows well for all my snakes.

sharthun · 05-05-14, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWFugle

that stuff looks pretty good. can i ask, do you feed inside the cage and find the pellets stick to the mice/rats? thats my only concern is it will still stick and get caught in her mouth like this coco stuff...

I feed inside the encolsures. I usually place the prey on a flat rock or one of their hides. Sometimes they ingest small amounts of the chips but that can happen with any substrate including soil. I haven't had any issues at all with the sani chips.

JWFugle · 05-05-14, 02:46 PM

so im going around my local pet shop and ran into this stuff in the fish department...

i dont think it sticking to any prey, but i do wonder about how trying to spot clean would go... any urinate i think would just run through and pile at the bottom leaving unpleasant smells.

Petco Aztec Bronze Aquarium Gravel at PETCO

Petco Frosted Jade Aquarium Gravel at PETCO

or just regular large outdoor gravel?? (washed and heat treated first of course)

pros: wont stick to prey, rocks will hold heat better, washable and reusable when soiled, any color combo i could want

cons: noisy rocks on plastic, non absorbent, heavy

JWFugle · 05-05-14, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharthun

I feed inside the encolsures. I usually place the prey on a flat rock or one of their hides. Sometimes they ingest small amounts of the chips but that can happen with any substrate including soil. I haven't had any issues at all with the sani chips.

nice. yea i guess i could do that with a plastic lid or plate.(hard to move rocks pig enough to fit XL rats and rabbits on though haha :P )

MCB · 05-05-14, 02:49 PM

I've also just read that it causes no impaction if digested. A lot say it's better for neonates too.

sharthun · 05-05-14, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWFugle

nice. yea i guess i could do that with a plastic lid or plate.(hard to move rocks pig enough to fit XL rats and rabbits on though haha :P )

My snakes always drag the feeders onto the chips anyway lol So, I may as well just lay them on the substrate.