» Site Navigation
0 members and 1,927 guests
No Members online
Most users ever online was 6,337, 01-24-2020 at 04:30 AM.
» Today's Birthdays
» Stats
Members: 75,392
Threads: 248,759
Posts: 2,570,162
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
|
-
Substrate preference for larger enclosures?
We just got two used Monster enclosures that are 30" deep x 18" tall x 84" long. Even though the seller hadn't used them in two years and cleaned them before I bought them, I still cleaned and disinfected them again once they were home. Getting into those back corners is... challenging! I had to almost climb into them to clean those areas, and I'm not a short person. So, any substrate preferences and tools/tricks for making the cleaning job easier once I house a critter in it?
-
-
Re: Substrate preference for larger enclosures?
Pros and cons to anything. I know many use Aspen, some use Cypress. Many use simple paper products such as newsprint, papertowels, or the red rosin paper from Home Depot. Currently, I am using good old paper towels for all my larger enclosures.
And I am sure you'll have messes to clean in those back corners. I have a couple thin putty knives that work well and are easy on the cages.
Last edited by Willie76; 09-05-2013 at 05:55 PM.
____________________________________
Burmese Pythons: 1.0 Albino [George]
Reticulated Pythons: 1.0 White Phase [Zeus]
Ball Pythons: 0.1 Spider [Isis] | 0.2 Normal [Athena/Pandora]
Carpet Pythons: 0.1 Jungle [Pris]
Colombian BCI: 1.0 Crimson/Pastel [Pablo] | 1.0 Hypo Salmon [Escobar] | 0.1 Pastel [Haven]
Black Rat Snakes: 0.1 Albino [Malachi]
-
The Following User Says Thank You to Willie76 For This Useful Post:
-
Re: Substrate preference for larger enclosures?
Originally Posted by Willie76
And I am sure you'll have messes to clean in those back corners. I have a couple thin putty knives that work well and are easy on the cages.
Thanks for the putty knife recommendation. For now I'll have the dividers in them and my female BCI's can live in them. Fortunately their messes aren't bad, and at least they're not at all aggressive or nasty in case I do have to climb in to do some deep cleaning in those back corners.
-
-
Re: Substrate preference for larger enclosures?
Originally Posted by bcr229
Thanks for the putty knife recommendation. For now I'll have the dividers in them and my female BCI's can live in them. Fortunately their messes aren't bad, and at least they're not at all aggressive or nasty in case I do have to climb in to do some deep cleaning in those back corners.
I'd still be careful when climbing in because you'll have restricted movements.
I say use unprinted newspaper but you'll do better with Cypress because it holds humidity better.
-Venomous-
1.0 - Naja siamensis - Zeus (Black & White Spitting Cobra)
1.0 - Naja n. woodi - Hades (Black Spitting Cobra)
0.1 - Naja nigricollis - Athena (Black-necked Spitting Cobra)
coming at some point in the future
Naja annulata (Ringed Water Cobra)
-
-
I'd recommend removing the animal from the cage if your going to clean. Some big boas could put you in a bad spot inside the cage if they mistake you for food.
-
-
Aspen - I was anti it for the longest time because it just seemed like it would be a PAIN with the amount of urine that comes from adult retics, but after experimenting with my 72" enclosures, the chipped Aspen mixed with some cypress where the hide is, it holds humidity enough, does well for heating, looks good, and absorbs urine great.
I've used newspaper fine, and Rosin paper from homedepot, which is my least favorite. I have used paper towels A LOT and that was my go to, but again, now that I've tried aspen, I use it in all my retic enclosures, but still use cypress in my Boa and Burmese cages.
-------------------------------------------------------
Retics are my passion. Just ask.
www.wildimaging.net www.facebook.com/wildimaging
"...That which we do not understand, we fear. That which we fear, we destroy. Thus eliminating the fear" ~Explains every killed snake"
-
The Following User Says Thank You to reptileexperts For This Useful Post:
-
Banned
Re: Substrate preference for larger enclosures?
Originally Posted by bcr229
We just got two used Monster enclosures that are 30" deep x 18" tall x 84" long. Even though the seller hadn't used them in two years and cleaned them before I bought them, I still cleaned and disinfected them again once they were home. Getting into those back corners is... challenging! I had to almost climb into them to clean those areas, and I'm not a short person. So, any substrate preferences and tools/tricks for making the cleaning job easier once I house a critter in it?
Originally Posted by reptileexperts
Aspen - I was anti it for the longest time because it just seemed like it would be a PAIN with the amount of urine that comes from adult retics, but after experimenting with my 72" enclosures, the chipped Aspen mixed with some cypress where the hide is, it holds humidity enough, does well for heating, looks good, and absorbs urine great.
I've used newspaper fine, and Rosin paper from homedepot, which is my least favorite. I have used paper towels A LOT and that was my go to, but again, now that I've tried aspen, I use it in all my retic enclosures, but still use cypress in my Boa and Burmese cages.
Cypress mulch? Right.
-
-
Re: Substrate preference for larger enclosures?
Well, for the winter I decided to go with cypress due to humidity issues (house gets very dry). A cat litter scooper has proven useful in removing any messes. If I had any larger snakes I would probably upgrade that to a manure fork...
-
The Following User Says Thank You to bcr229 For This Useful Post:
-
Substrate preference for larger enclosures?
Yes cypress mulch. Pretty much the exact stuff you can purchase at a garden supply shop. I use zoomeds forest floor and one bag last me a while since i only use it mixed and only at the hot hide.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-------------------------------------------------------
Retics are my passion. Just ask.
www.wildimaging.net www.facebook.com/wildimaging
"...That which we do not understand, we fear. That which we fear, we destroy. Thus eliminating the fear" ~Explains every killed snake"
-
The Following User Says Thank You to reptileexperts For This Useful Post:
NYHC4LIFE8899 (11-29-2013)
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
|