ReptiChip vs. Reptile Prime Size Comparison

Yeah, cypress is like:
moist, more absorbent, less dusty version of aspen. It is kind of chunky though.
I got into it when a local breeder with 90 snakes recommended it to me.

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

Yeah, cypress is like:
moist, more absorbent, less dusty version of aspen. It is kind of chunky though.

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Yeah but i was told is it lays flat like aspen which is really what i want. It was the reason i was so interested in the Reptile Prime as i want something between Eco Earth and Reptichips. If the cypress works well and the snakes like it, I might just add that into the substrate rotation lol. I like to keep the snakes on their toes and interested in what they are on although the interest only lasts a couple days lol.

I want 90 snakes!! Actually i realistically want about 5 more..a Peruvian BCC, another suriname BCC, an ultra Ivory SD retic, Pied retic and a red neo biak cross GTP. Probably more i cant think of until i see them lol. But off the top of my head, 5 more i really want.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

You call that a pee!!?? Caesar drops those daily..usually 2-3 times haha. I'm going to take a picture of a 'real' pee and poop to show you what you are missing Zina!!! Rosey took a poop last night and to give you a visual idea, fold a paper towel in half. Now lay that paper towel on top of the poop lengthwise. Now add about 1/4 of a poop head sticking out from under the paper towel like playing a game of peekaboo. Now you have the size of a Rosey poop lol. Now for Caesar, imagine that size but add another half to it.....and bump it up from every 2-4 weeks to every week LOL.

Retics are not cheap to keep :( Np one told me that when i got Caesar lol. But he is such a character...love him.

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That's why I said, its from a 750 gr Ball Python! ;)

I know a Retic can release a biblical flood.:O

That said, the same Ball Python on aspen would cause a much bigger mess. Bigger as in it spreads out far larger. Since the aspen doesn't really soak it in per se (just slows down the spread). I've had my BP's on aspen for 7 or so years.

When I used aspen, I would have to end up cleaning almost half the tub after a pee. Even from such a relatively small snake. And the smell..ew. I used to have a large garbage can near my enclosures and sometimes I would fill that thing after one round of cleaning up tubs, and I don't even have that many. And it never failed that they would make another mess after I was done. I also had to keep that giant bag of Hagland Aspen near my enclosures, because I would go through it so fast. But...I have no retics ;)

My picture was to point out how quickly the Reptile Prime soaks up and contains in a small space. Even with ReptiChip the messy area used to be much bigger. It didn't soak up fast, so it spread underneath the substrate. Also more difficult to tell what part was actually soiled. You can clearly tell the soiled and clean parts of substrate with Reptile Prime.

Now I just keep a roll of doggy baggies near the enclosures, my gloves, Paper Towels and F-10. Cleaning has become a breeze, and no smell. No huge bag of dusty aspen.

Trust me , I'm not trying to talk you or anyone into using it. I have no stock in it, LOL. And I know that for different people, different aspects matter more or less.
This thread is probably really helpful to people trying to make up their mind what might work best for them, because they can compare and go by their own personal priorities.

:)

edited to say, I never owned giants, but I did own a BIG Borneo Python. So I do know a bit about big poop. But at least he only pooped out his evil twin every 2 to 3 month or so, LOL

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Reptichips is nice stuff. A lot of retic guys rave about it or paper. It's nice in that is fairly cheap and you can just throw it out every month or two. I just got tired of having to prep it every time i wanted to use it lol. I mean you could just get 2-3 66 qt Sterilites and just mix up 3 blocks and have it ready. But that is really my only gripe about it. And one other thing, being big pieces, it does allow liquid to seep down some and big snakes can hide pisses in it. But for the smaller snakes, it works fine.

The only substrate i found so far that can contain a Caesar Tsunami is aspen. Anything else just cant hold up lol. I ordered cypress so we will see how Caesar handles that.

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Yeah, I have definitely realized that certain snakes create more liquid urine than others. I own several kingsnakes, which release tons of paste like urates, but very little liquid. On the other hand, my bps create hard marble like pirates and lots of liquid along with it, especially as adults. It seems retics pretty much urinate constantly from what I'm hearing, often with more liquid than urate.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

The thing is, there is no actual way to get a hold of the 'parent' company. According to Reptile Prime website, there is the email which didnt work.

Then there is the phone number which when i called was actually the Cat Spot litter company which has the litter bagged and ready for sale for cheaper than the reptile stuff and with free shipping. The Cat Spot is NOT affiliated with Brian at all, it is just a outlet for the cat product.

Then there is Mois company which is listed on the 'where to buy' as well. That is a lawn business which I'm assuming they use it for grass. Again nothing to do with the reptile stuff.

Then the last place listed is Midwest Organics which from the video looks like the manufacturing plant for the stuff. Problem is their website doesnt show it either. .

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Just got my bags in. Not sure if this is the same ph# you used, on the back of the bag it says:
"Questions? Contact us at:
Midwest Organics Inc
573-472-7886
(lists the address)
Email us at: info@reptileprime.com"

I'm still waiting for my one bag. The shipping thing says it will take 9 days to get me for $5 shipping......vs my 7 bags cypress which will be here tomorrow by end of day for free shipping.....

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

Just got my bags in. Not sure if this is the same ph# you used, on the back of the bag it says:
"Questions? Contact us at:
Midwest Organics Inc
573-472-7886
(lists the address)
Email us at: info@reptileprime.com"

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Yeah same phone number. That number is actually the number to Cat Spot Litter company and the email for me, didnt work. Gives me a wlmail.exe error whenever i click it.

So how is the stuff?

I'll probably change out some ATB caging this weekend, will post updates. :)

Well i got my shipment of Cypress and i have to say, i am liking the stuff. Got it into all my 4x2 cages today and no fogging or condensation. It honestly wasnt all that wet. Was damp to the touch but not wet.

All the little boas, BP and dumerils seem to enjoy it. Gina and Louie were cautious and didnt want to leave my hand until they fully investigated it lol. Once they were satisfied, they slowly crawled off me into the cage haha.

Going to switch out the Caesar and the 2 big gals tomorrow and see how they like the stuff. If they enjoy it, might have found a new substrate to throw into the rotation :D

I wouldn't worry about him accidentally getting a little substrate on his prey to much. I use reptile prime and have never had a problem and even if they do ingest a little it won't do any harm. Its basically like dirt and I'm sure they get dirt in their food all the in the wild lol

How much is the reptile prime per bag and how many tubs will it do (CB70) or 4x2 pvc cages? I'd be interested in trying it (currently using prococo) but not sure how much more expensive it is. I've heard it is quite pricey, but am not sure how many tubs it would do at once.

One block of prococo will do my 3 tub CB70, my 5 tub juvie rack, and a 4x2 cage (or a couple 4x2 cages and my CB70 tubs).

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Originally Posted by artgecko

How much is the reptile prime per bag and how many tubs will it do (CB70) or 4x2 pvc cages? I'd be interested in trying it (currently using prococo) but not sure how much more expensive it is. I've heard it is quite pricey, but am not sure how many tubs it would do at once.

One block of prococo will do my 3 tub CB70, my 5 tub juvie rack, and a 4x2 cage (or a couple 4x2 cages and my CB70 tubs).

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It comes in 24 QT bags which the Zoo Med aspen and the Zoo Med cypress both come in too. For me 1 bag will do 2 4x2 cages at about 1/2 inch deep.

The stuff costs $15.99 a bag and shipping is $5.00 per bag. There is no combined shipping or discount.

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Originally Posted by artgecko

How much is the reptile prime per bag and how many tubs will it do (CB70) or 4x2 pvc cages? I'd be interested in trying it (currently using prococo) but not sure how much more expensive it is. I've heard it is quite pricey, but am not sure how many tubs it would do at once.

One block of prococo will do my 3 tub CB70, my 5 tub juvie rack, and a 4x2 cage (or a couple 4x2 cages and my CB70 tubs).

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If you buy it on Amazon, they offer 30% off if you buy 2 bags or more. Free shipping. If you have Amazon Prime shipping is 2 days, if not, it takes a little longer. It comes out to $14.70 shipped per bag.

Thanks guys! That gives me an idea of how much it would cost to do my whole collection...Probably 3 bags if all racks and cages were done...Maybe 4. Looks like it may be 2x as expensive as prococo. If it works really well though, and contains urine as well as you guys say, it might be worth it, especially for my animals that need more humidity.

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Originally Posted by zina10

If you buy it on Amazon, they offer 30% off if you buy 2 bags or more. Free shipping. If you have Amazon Prime shipping is 2 days, if not, it takes a little longer. It comes out to $14.70 shipped per bag.

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Pardon my ignorance, please! I'm on Amazon looking at the listing for reptile prime and I don't see anywhere they offer the discount for 2+ am I missing something?

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I suppose that sale has ended !

I would call or email the company and ask whether they will repeat that sale or honor it still..

Maybe to many people ordered because of it ;)

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Originally Posted by mamaodie

Pardon my ignorance, please! I'm on Amazon looking at the listing for reptile prime and I don't see anywhere they offer the discount for 2+ am I missing something?

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Yep... just looked now. Looks like the promotion ended for now. I'm sure it'll pop up again... we just need to watch for it.

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Originally Posted by Charles8088

Yep... just looked now. Looks like the promotion ended for now. I'm sure it'll pop up again... we just need to watch for it.

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So... Catspot litter.. same thing as reptile prime? You can do a monthly order of one bag for $15/free shipping. That's from their website and it just under $20 a bag on Amazon. Cat little from snake bedding... Weird concept 🤯

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Is the bag slathered in BHB cliche marketing?

"OMG you guys won't believe this! This bedding is... absolutely INN-SANE!

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Originally Posted by Ernie Mccracken

Is the bag slathered in BHB cliche marketing?

"OMG you guys won't believe this! This bedding is... absolutely INN-SANE!

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But is it absorbent enough to sop up the blood from getting bit by all those pissed off snakes? :P

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Originally Posted by mamaodie

So... Catspot litter.. same thing as reptile prime? You can do a monthly order of one bag for $15/free shipping. That's from their website and it just under $20 a bag on Amazon. Cat little from snake bedding... Weird concept 🤯

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from earlier in this thread:

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Originally Posted by zina10

The stuff for the cats is finer, more like Eco Earth, tad less fine, and very messy..

edited to say, the company did start out with making Cat litter, I remember that from an old video back when it was Herptopia. They then made a slightly different version for reptiles.

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Originally Posted by mamaodie

So... Catspot litter.. same thing as reptile prime? You can do a monthly order of one bag for $15/free shipping. That's from their website and it just under $20 a bag on Amazon. Cat little from snake bedding... Weird concept 🤯

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You are experiencing the same thing i did. There is no actual Reptile Prime 'company' it looks like. The number and everything takes you to Cat Spot litter. The litter stuff is different i guess though. I guess it is the fine ground stuff although i cant verify it. This is just what Zina and SDA said.

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Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

I'll probably change out some ATB caging this weekend, will post updates. :)

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first update -
It took almost the two full bags to change out all 13 of my ATB cages (majority have a 16x20 or 20x20 footprint size). I didn't make the substrate too deep once I realized how fast I was going through it. I'll need to order at least one more bag to have on hand for spot cleaning.

The cages all look nicer but substrate looks better than paper anyways so no surprise there. So far only having the usual substrate issues of pieces getting dragged into the water by the snakes (grrr that's annoying).

Most of my ATBs are CBB, 3 are LTC. So far I haven't noticed any differences between them reacting to it. They all seemed a bit hesitant about the new substrate but once checked it out they seem to be enjoying it. One thing I have noticed which is a change, instead of usually preferring to sleep during the day inside their hides, quite a few have taken to sleeping in the open on top of the substrate instead.

EDIT TO ADD - oh! and I did notice dust when doing this. Coughed a little, had the brown fiber dust in my nose. Not as bad as a lot of substrates but the small amount of dust was noticeable which I wasn't expecting.

I see that there are two versions of Reptile Prime, the fibrous version and the fine version. I have not used it yet but when the time comes I may try the fibrous version but am still concerned about ingestion. My boa is only 3 months old and I have her on, I know it's not a good option, repti carpet, but I think for the time being it's the safest option, she's so small.

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Originally Posted by skaukatt

I see that there are two versions of Reptile Prime, the fibrous version and the fine version. I have not used it yet but when the time comes I may try the fibrous version but am still concerned about ingestion. My boa is only 3 months old and I have her on, I know it's not a good option, repti carpet, but I think for the time being it's the safest option, she's so small.

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I've have my hatchling and adult snakes on Reptile Prime and I love it. I've heard that reptile carpet can harbor bacteria. I'm not a big fan of the aesthetics either.

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I've have my hatchling and adult snakes on Reptile Prime and I love it. I've heard that reptile carpet can harbor bacteria. I'm not a big fan of the aesthetics either.

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I totally agree, I don't like the carpet one bit. That's why it's a temporary solution until she's bigger just in case. I guess I'm overly cautious about ingestion. I have two carpets and swap out one with the other to clean. From what I have been reading and from YouTube videos I really think I will give Reptile Prime a try.

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