pine vs fir?

[Sharlynn93]

I know anything pine is harmful to reptiles, but I noticed repti-bark is made from fir trees...how is fir different from pine? looking for some alternative substrate options (probably to mix with my eco-earth, since i do like a lot of things about it, its just not pretty by itself)...

[Starbuck]

They would all be considered 'coniferous' trees, but I guess that for isn't harmful like pine it? Also reptibarke is typically just the bark, whereas pine is the whole fresh tree chopped up. Not sure if reptibark is additionally processed to reduce oils or anything, but clearly tons of people use it with no problem...

[sharthun]

Sani Chips might be worth looking into for mixing. I recently switched all 4 of my snake enclosures to this and I love it and the snakes seem to love it(if that's possible). Small uniform chips. Really makes my snakes stand out as far as displaying animals. Most importantly, spot cleaning is a snap because of the clumping of the sani chips when soiled!


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

[Sharlynn93]

was worried about mixing sani-chips with the eco-earth in high humidty...figured they would mold...was searching the net for info on the cypress "blend" that lowes offers, mixed info on that...have talked to a few breeders that use it (and have for decades) with no problems, but I hear people have found pine bark in it, but if its not the bark that is harmful and only the actual wood, maybe its ok...not sure I wanna risk it, though...especially with Iris's medical history...also, I have heard many say kiln dried pine is ok (i still wouldn't use it) but all the bags of pine bedding I see all say kiln dried, so wouldn't that be safe for some species (like I said, not going to use it, just wondering)...

[sharthun]

Originally Posted by Sharlynn93

was worried about mixing sani-chips with the eco-earth in high humidty...figured they would mold...was searching the net for info on the cypress "blend" that lowes offers, mixed info on that...have talked to a few breeders that use it (and have for decades) with no problems, but I hear people have found pine bark in it, but if its not the bark that is harmful and only the actual wood, maybe its ok...not sure I wanna risk it, though...especially with Iris's medical history...also, I have heard many say kiln dried pine is ok (i still wouldn't use it) but all the bags of pine bedding I see all say kiln dried, so wouldn't that be safe for some species (like I said, not going to use it, just wondering)...

Yeah probably not so good for higher humidity applications . Sani chips are very absorbent compared to larger size aspen shredded chips.

[Sharlynn93]

I am thinking of using them for my garter, etc...shredded aspen was too dusty and had sneezing issues, went to carefresh and it works well, but when they spill water, etc, it turns almost to clay and is hard to clean up...plus, its not real pretty looking...

[sharthun]

Originally Posted by Sharlynn93

I am thinking of using them for my garter, etc...shredded aspen was too dusty and had sneezing issues, went to carefresh and it works well, but when they spill water, etc, it turns almost to clay and is hard to clean up...plus, its not real pretty looking...

Sani Chips will work well. Almost completely dust free and very easy to clean. Just scoop out soiled chips and you're done.

[Sharlynn93]

great...now just to decide on what to use for the humidity lovers...really wish I could find pure cypress around here...i could ship it, but that costs more, and I want to get these enclosures up and running...may just end up spending the money to get some reptibark to mix in for now, and once landscaping season hits, try to find cypress for when a change is needed...really wish i could find concrete info on that blend, though...

[sharthun]

Originally Posted by Sharlynn93

great...now just to decide on what to use for the humidity lovers...really wish I could find pure cypress around here...i could ship it, but that costs more, and I want to get these enclosures up and running...may just end up spending the money to get some reptibark to mix in for now, and once landscaping season hits, try to find cypress for when a change is needed...really wish i could find concrete info on that blend, though...

I can't wait to see those new enclosures all setup!

[Sharlynn93]

me too! delayed a bit, hubby wants to make a stand to raise them off the floor to deter drafts, he is doing that today since work kept him from being able to do anything this last week...so hopefully tomorrow we can get them placed and get the silicone on and curing, then by mid-week, have them up and running

also, another thing i have been reading upon researching this mulch thing...a lot of articles and forum posts that say orchid bark and pine bark are actually the same thing...reptile owners ordered bulk orchid bark and the bags came saying pine bark, or had it listed as the main ingredient...anyone know anything about this?

[IW17]

Originally Posted by Sharlynn93

was worried about mixing sani-chips with the eco-earth in high humidty...figured they would mold...was searching the net for info on the cypress "blend" that lowes offers, mixed info on that...have talked to a few breeders that use it (and have for decades) with no problems, but I hear people have found pine bark in it, but if its not the bark that is harmful and only the actual wood, maybe its ok...not sure I wanna risk it, though...especially with Iris's medical history...also, I have heard many say kiln dried pine is ok (i still wouldn't use it) but all the bags of pine bedding I see all say kiln dried, so wouldn't that be safe for some species (like I said, not going to use it, just wondering)...

I've been using cypress blend mulch for Substrate in all my enclosures for years with no issues. Small miniscule amounts of pine don't worry me much. The toxic effects come from the oils in the wood. So insignificant levels of oils in the bark, very little pine bark in the bag of mulch, to me must mean little risk. I personally wouldn't risk an all pine bedding, simply because that's putting way to much faith in a process that if done wrong, will have lethal effects on your Reptile. Just my 2 cents.

[Sharlynn93]

Originally Posted by IW17

I've been using cypress blend mulch for Substrate in all my enclosures for years with no issues. Small miniscule amounts of pine don't worry me much. The toxic effects come from the oils in the wood. So insignificant levels of oils in the bark, very little pine bark in the bag of mulch, to me must mean little risk. I personally wouldn't risk an all pine bedding, simply because that's putting way to much faith in a process that if done wrong, will have lethal effects on your Reptile. Just my 2 cents.

this is the consensus that I am getting the more I read...and it would work well for most of my snakes...hmm...debating...thanks!

[Terranaut]

Mixing aspen and reptibark or eco earth can give you mold. Aspen molds when wet for extended periods.

[Sublimeballs]

I can't remember if it was this site or another(ill have to search later) but someone called the company that makes the cypress blend they sell at lowes and its up to 50% pine 30-40% cypress and the rest other hardwoods. Not worth it in my opinion.

Look at reptilebasics.com they have the same size bags as lowes of 100% cypress for $27 shipped if my memory serves me correctly. They are great people to do bussiness with. They're a town over from me and have gone completely above and beyond to help me out of some tight spots in the past.

If not eco earth and reptibark are a good mix. I use it for my salamander.

[Sharlynn93]

May go with the reptibark. I grabbed a bag of the stuff from lowes to check it out and the pieces are HUGE to begin with and I just really dont like the fact it may have large amounts of pine...I will just use it in my flower beds this spring...