Cleaning/Substrate dilemma.. Opinions please?

[purple python]

Maybe it's my OCD or something but I'm stuck..

I use newspaper or paper towel in all my tubs because I like to clean them out once a week - disinfecting and the works, then lay down fresh paper.. But I'd like to switch to cypress or reptibark and obviously (because of $$$) I can't buy a new bag every week for my routine cleaning spree...

So.. Im trying to compromise... Can I still do my weekly disinfecting and then return the same substrate (spot cleaned of course) or is that just ridiculous?

For those of you who use cypress or reptibark, how often do you replace it?

I've tried using aspen and replacing that every week but I hate the stuff, won't even use it for my rats...

Tell me - what are your cleaning routines?

[Twitchy]

I use coconut husk bedding and I love it. It is great for spot cleaning as it absorbs liquids well as controls odors, does not get moldy either. It is also great for maintaining proper humidity. I also like the natural look it adds to the terrarium its also pretty inexpensive

http://www.amazon.com/Kritters-Crumble-Natural-Coconut-Substrate/dp/B004A8ZQCU/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1396975832&sr=1-4&keywords=coconut+husk+bedding

Now I just got my ball python about a month ago but this is the cleaning routine I use for my sulcata tortoise who uses reptibark bedding but will I use this method for the python as well. I check the bedding daily when I change the water, look for any dirty spots and remove the surrounding bedding. Then weekly I remove the bedding and place it in a bag, disinfect the terrarium and put the substrate back in. I replace the substrate every month or so. Hope this helps!

[Inarikins]

I do a complete scrubdown (not just spraying with cleaner and changing the substrate) once a month, weather allowing. We have a hot water hose outside but if it's too cold, I can't really go out there and there's nowhere else inside to do it. I've transitioned solely to newspaper for all my BPs (my sand boa has ground walnut shells) but when I had them on reptibark (which I much prefer, but is of course more expensive) I would only spot-clean. When I scrubbed down their tub, I just threw away the substrate. For me, it seems silly to put dirty substrate (because it is dirty. Spotcleaning the poop or urates doesn't remove the stuff that's been peed on) back into a fresh, clean tub.

[sopa]

I use coconut husk bedding and I love it. It is great for spot cleaning as it absorbs liquids well as controls odors, does not get moldy either. It is also great for maintaining proper humidity. I also like the natural look it adds to the terrarium its also pretty inexpensive

http://www.amazon.com/Kritters-Crumble-Natural-Coconut-Substrate/dp/B004A8ZQCU/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1396975832&sr=1-4&keywords=coconut+husk+bedding

Now I just got my ball python about a month ago but this is the cleaning routine I use for my sulcata tortoise who uses reptibark bedding but will I use this method for the python as well. I check the bedding daily when I change the water, look for any dirty spots and remove the surrounding bedding. Then weekly I remove the bedding and place it in a bag, disinfect the terrarium and put the substrate back in. I replace the substrate every month or so. Hope this helps!

i just bought this.. i'm on aspen and i don't like it one bit, and was debating on eco earth but read that it can get stuck between scales or in the mouth once in a while. THANK YOU for your recommendation

[Morris Reese]

I do a complete scrubdown (not just spraying with cleaner and changing the substrate) once a month, weather allowing. We have a hot water hose outside but if it's too cold, I can't really go out there and there's nowhere else inside to do it. I've transitioned solely to newspaper for all my BPs (my sand boa has ground walnut shells) but when I had them on reptibark (which I much prefer, but is of course more expensive) I would only spot-clean. When I scrubbed down their tub, I just threw away the substrate. For me, it seems silly to put dirty substrate (because it is dirty. Spotcleaning the poop or urates doesn't remove the stuff that's been peed on) back into a fresh, clean tub.

Do you feed inside the enclosure or do you use a feeding tub? I know opinions vary, but I do not remove my girl from her home to feed her. I was just curious about feeding on this substrate and the chance for ingestion while feeding. Is it pretty safe for a BP!

[Inarikins]

Do you feed inside the enclosure or do you use a feeding tub? I know opinions vary, but I do not remove my girl from her home to feed her. I was just curious about feeding on this substrate and the chance for ingestion while feeding. Is it pretty safe for a BP!

I feed in enclosure! I also don't really worry about them ingesting substrate unless it's that ends up making them so they can't close their mouth properly or there's a lot of substrate. Because I always dried my rats really well after thawing them, it was never an issue with substrate sticking so they rarely if ever actually ingested any. Now that they're on paper, I just squeeze the water off of them with my hand and offer - my snakes that are eating right now don't care if the rat is actually wet or dry.

[ChrisC]

Most people use news paper to save money. But news paper ink can be toxic and stain the skin on your snakes. I've seen beautiful snakes start looking dull after shed due to newspapers. Have you ever read a newspaper for like 15-20 minutes? Look at your hands after. That black ink stains your hands. Paper towel is good but can be pricy and doesn't hold up on humidity unless you lightly spray towels from time to time. Reptile bark or Cypress mulch is great but pricy. And it holds up on humidity. Aspen bedding gets moldy too fast when spills occur and substrate dampens. I've personally decided to go another route. I purchased a 60.6 L giant bag of "Planet Petco Aspen soft wood shavings" (oil free!!) for $14.99. It's natural and smells really good. Snakes love to hide and burrow in it. Most importantly, it absorbs fecal matter and urine for easy spot cleaning. My tubs are always fresh and clean. And my snakes are happy and love it. I had purchased the substrate last month and still have about 80% of a bag left. I spot check everyday, scoop out soiled areas when necessary, and then add a handful more in the tub. And once a month I completely change out all the substrate and disinfect my tubs. Snakes are healthy and it saves you time and money on always changing substrate and cleaning tanks constantly. In addition, I soak all my snakes twice a month in shed ease to help sooth and moisturize skin. So far I've never had a shedding problem. All snakes have had healthy full sheds. No retained eye caps or any other problems for that matter.

[AlexisFitzy]

Most people use news paper to save money. But news paper ink can be toxic and stain the skin on your snakes. I've seen beautiful snakes start looking dull after shed due to newspapers. Have you ever read a newspaper for like 15-20 minutes? Look at your hands after. That black ink stains your hands. Paper towel is good but can be pricy and doesn't hold up on humidity unless you lightly spray towels from time to time. Reptile bark or Cypress mulch is great but pricy. And it holds up on humidity. Aspen bedding gets moldy too fast when spills occur and substrate dampens. I've personally decided to go another route. I purchased a 60.6 L giant bag of "Planet Petco Aspen soft wood shavings" (oil free!!) for $14.99. It's natural and smells really good. Snakes love to hide and burrow in it. Most importantly, it absorbs fecal matter and urine for easy spot cleaning. My tubs are always fresh and clean. And my snakes are happy and love it. I had purchased the substrate last month and still have about 80% of a bag left. I spot check everyday, scoop out soiled areas when necessary, and then add a handful more in the tub. And once a month I completely change out all the substrate and disinfect my tubs. Snakes are healthy and it saves you time and money on always changing substrate and cleaning tanks constantly. In addition, I soak all my snakes twice a month in shed ease to help sooth and moisturize skin. So far I've never had a shedding problem. All snakes have had healthy full sheds. No retained eye caps or any other problems for that matter.

How long have you been using this bedding? I looked it up because it sounded like an awesome deal on some good bedding but when I read the product details it said it contains Pine, which can be toxic to snakes. Here's a snapshot of the bedding and description straight from the site.

http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/a...psi9f4d9h2.png

And a snapshot of info about substrate directly from the care sheet thread on this site.

http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/a...psp6gbiws7.png




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ChrisC]

Thanks for the info. I am truly aware of pine being toxic to snakes. Petco offers the wood with or with out pine. My bag says on the label all natural and guaranteed oil free. The bag I have has no oils or pine in it. I made sure 100%. All is well with the substrate and my snakes. Thanks for the heads up. Also, if there was pine in my bag that's a law suit. Because the bag indicates oil free no pine. But yea lol it's 100% natural oil free.

[AlexisFitzy]

Thanks for the info. I am truly aware of pine being toxic to snakes. Petco offers the wood with or with out pine. My bag says on the label all natural and guaranteed oil free. The bag I have has no oils or pine in it. I made sure 100%. All is well with the substrate and my snakes. Thanks for the heads up. Also, if there was pine in my bag that's a law suit. Because the bag indicates oil free no pine. But yea lol it's 100% natural oil free.

Okay awesome that's great! just wanted to look out for you. I didn't know they could make it without the pine but that's great that they do might have to try some pine free then lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk