Switching Substrates

So I've decided that once I use up all my aspen bedding, I may switch substrates. What substrates do you guys recommend and what are the pros and cons of it? I've been leaning towards using paper towels but I sort of feel that it might be too plain since my snake's been on actual bedding this whole time.

Depending on what aspen you use can make a big difference.
I used this store brand aspen for a while and didn't like it, then tried a type of shredded aspen called "Harlan Teklad aspen" and I love it.
It holds humidity well, looks great, and is way better at absorbing.

I'd look into that kinda aspen if you're not dead set on switching to another substrate completely.

I like cypress in the winter for the humidity, newspaper during the warmer weather.

I just switched from Aspen to Repti-Bark, and found that the repti-bark was a better (worse?) insulator against my UTH. I had to adjust things around to re-gain the belly heat and bring up my ambient temp.


I also had read that Repti-Bark would hold humidity better, but I'm also struggling with it in that regard as well. Just part of the fun of changing things is adapting your practices to get what works

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trackstrong83

Depending on what aspen you use can make a big difference.
I used this store brand aspen for a while and didn't like it, then tried a type of shredded aspen called "Harlan Teklad aspen" and I love it.
It holds humidity well, looks great, and is way better at absorbing.

I'd look into that kinda aspen if you're not dead set on switching to another substrate completely.

---

Is that the type of Aspen bedding that is almost like ribbons of stuff? The Aspen bedding that I use now is more similar to straw.

I just switched to paper towels from cocofiber/cypress blend, and I LOVE it. It does look plain, but it's super easy to clean up after them. Odor hasn't been too much of an issue because I do a wipeout whenever their tubs put off any smell.

Sent from my warm hide using Tapatalk

Ah, so you keep your snake in a tub. Mine is kept in a tank, which is another reason on why I'm just wondering what substrate to use. It's a lot of ground to cover if I am to use paper towels.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ViperSRT3g

Ah, so you keep your snake in a tub. Mine is kept in a tank, which is another reason on why I'm just wondering what substrate to use. It's a lot of ground to cover if I am to use paper towels.

---

I'm actually on my way out to stock up on dollar store paper towels, haha. I used them briefly in my tanks before I went to tubs, and while it was simple, it did look kinda funky. The next best bet if you want to keep a nice display going would be that Harlan aspen, from what i hear it's very soft and easy to clean.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ViperSRT3g

Is that the type of Aspen bedding that is almost like ribbons of stuff? The Aspen bedding that I use now is more similar to straw.

---

This is what it looks like.
http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6179c403.jpg

Very finely shredded and absorbs very well.

I use the eco earth bricks. They're much easier to store. When you put the water in and it expands it can be a pain because you have to wait for them to dry out a bit. They're great at holding humidity and absorption. Has anyone ever used sani-chips, heard that works well to

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk