Uber Battle: Newspaper vs. Cypress vs. Aspen
Hey y'all: I have a 9 tub cb-70 rack system, with expanded pvc tops (few holes poked in). I've been using Cypress in the hopes of keeping a higher humidity for my Balls -- but thinking of switching to Newspaper or Aspen for ease of use/ cost.
Any thoughts or experiences on what works best/ what you use for your own Balls: Cypress, Newspaper, or Aspen?
Re: Uber Battle: Newspaper vs. Cypress vs. Aspen
I like unprinted newsprint. Once you have more than a few snakes any other substrate becomes more trouble than its worth. I know some that use Aspen or Cypress only spot clean and then change it once in a while. For me that is not good enough. I like things to be clean, not just look clean :)
Re: Uber Battle: Newspaper vs. Cypress vs. Aspen
I'm using indented KRAFT paper. So far, I really like it. It makes cleaning quick and easy whenever I need to do it. :) Though regular newspaper/unprinted newspaper would do the job, too.
Re: Uber Battle: Newspaper vs. Cypress vs. Aspen
i use newsprint. to me spot cleaning just doesn't seem clean enough and it's way easier and cheaper to use newsprint.
unless it is super dry where you are you should be fine with newsprint in a rack system. even if it is dry you should be able to adjust by covering some of the holes in your tubs or the tops.
Re: Uber Battle: Newspaper vs. Cypress vs. Aspen
If you plan on breeding, I would go with some type of newsprint/kraft paper/etc ... Mulch, Aspen, Sani-Chips are too often the cause of hemipenal infections on breeding males ... nothing worse than having a valued breeder male loose his mojo due to bedding.
Paper is cheap, plentiful, and when you clean it, it's 100% clean everytime!
Just my humble opinion of course.
-adam
Re: Uber Battle: Newspaper vs. Cypress vs. Aspen
Paper is easy to get and cheap. Aspen is also cheap, but you'll be tracking little chips all over your house (drives me insane).
Re: Uber Battle: Newspaper vs. Cypress vs. Aspen
I used to use loose bedding on everyone, but ever since I switched, I've never wanted to go back. Changing flat bedding is just 100% more clean than spot cleaning, and the snakes don't seem to mind the switch.
Re: Uber Battle: Newspaper vs. Cypress vs. Aspen
Newspaper/print/paper in general can't be beat.. In shed times, I put in a handful of aspen shavings (not shreds) and spray it down; gives a place for moisture to linger and create humidity..
Re: Uber Battle: Newspaper vs. Cypress vs. Aspen
Paper is my favorite because you can't be lazy with your husbandry...when it's dirty, you can't spot clean - you have to replace it.
Paper is FANTASTIC, whether kraft, newsprint, butcher, etc. I use kraft paper for almost everything.
K~
Re: Uber Battle: Newspaper vs. Cypress vs. Aspen
Thanks for the input! I'm still tinkerin' with my setup so I'll probably try a little Kraft Paper on my next batch of Balls shippin' in from Vin Russo this week. Cypress is hard to get outside of pet stores (where it is 11 bucks for a small bag) in the Bay Area anyways...