the best substrate

I was jus wonderin wat u guys think the best substrate might be for trying to keep humidity levels up also how long did it take u guys to contact don hamper wen u wanted to buy from him

Its kind of a balancing act with substrates, heres a basic rundown...

Bark- Looks natural, can be misted w/o molding. Keeps humidity but dries out fast. Kind of hard to pick out feces and urates though sometimes though.

Moss- keeps humidity, but is damp so chances of your snake getting belly rot is very high. Wouldn't recommend it but maybe in small amounts, inside a hide, during shed times. I knew a guy who kept a bp on moss and it actually died from a bad case of belly rot. It was pretty neglected overall though. Theres better ways to get humidity levels up than to use moss.

Carpet- easy to clean, holds no humidity.

Aspen shavings- never had any personal experience with it, but I've heard good things about it. Remember not to let it get too damp, mold and bacteria love warm moist surfaces.

I use EcoEarth shredded coconut substrate, never had a problem with it.
To regulate humidity, you can mist, cover the top of the tank with Saran Wrap, or use just a UTH/heating pad rather than a UTH/overhead light combo.
Good luck :)

I use EcoEarth with Elysia, and maybe after a while I will use it with Boo, but for now she is on Newspaper. I've had no problems with EcoEarth whatsoever. Its cheap, so far its safe, no bugs or anything like some members reported a while ago either. Its also easy to spot poo and urates. The poo usually gets clumped up so you just have to scoop it out, and the urates you can easily see on the surface or after moving the substrate around a bit.

I even fed the first month and a half on it, but Elysia started to get messy with her feedings, dragging her prey a couple times and getting it all dirty. I didn't want to worry about any impaction problems so last time I fed her, I did so in her seperate tank and then put it in her tank and let her crawl out of it herself. I know a little bit is ok, and she doesnt really end up swallowing any, it gets scraped off as she swallows, but I figure better safe then sorry.

Plus, its good for both dry and wet enviroments. Totally dry it out for dry tanks and leave it a little damp for tanks with high humidity needs.

heh, theres so many of these threads titled "Best Substrate"
Its all a matter of opinion. Everyone has their own personal favorite subsrate.

I personally use a rubbermaid enclosure, and aspen as substrate.
The rubbermaid keeps my humidity at around 55% so I only need to mist when my snake is in shed.

I like aspen, its easy to spot remains on. I do spot cleans whenever needed, and I clean out the entire enclosure and disinfect every 2 and a half weeks. During feedings.

i like coc-nut substrate. someone else posted it in here before and it worked great. but it all comes down to preference. cyprus mulch, eco-earth or other styled dirt), coc-nut, newspaper. i say try some or mix and match, then use what you decide is the best. of course a plexiglass top wouldnt hurt if you have a screen lid. i fixed out lids to be plastic with 6 buxks and a trip to home depot.

ok i got one of those tanks with the built in lights
and dont have any screening on top at all

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Originally Posted by Buckeye

ok i got one of those tanks with the built in lights
and dont have any screening on top at all

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Wait I'm confused, is it like those "Animal Plastic" enclosures?

no its glass but on top its got to built in lightbulbs on top

How does air get in exactly?
Does it have an air vent?
I'd love to see a picture if possible.

is the top like an aquarium hood that you see on fish tanks? a plastic top with lights in it?

The hoods on the fish tanks don't cover the entire top.

some of them do it just depends on the hood design.

ErR, if the hood covers the entire glass enclosure, how does air get in?
Does the hood have a vent on top? :shock:

on the specific one i have there is a small hole for an air tube to go into the tank and hook up to the filter/aerator. you can also use a submersible power head, which you attach via a suction cup, and that provides plenty of oxygen. these hoods are designed for tanks that will contain fish.

I still want to see a picture! :D
Also, herps aren't fishies!

well that's why they make screen and other tops for aquariums too. cuz, yes your snake will be needing some oxygen.

it has a hood that covers it completely but also has a few vents on the top

If I was you, I'd get a screen-top.
Actually, if I was you I'd just get a rubbermaid, and a heat-pad ... save yourself the hassle of messing around with lights and humidity.

i might just have to get rid or the top and make a screen top

Or buy a screen top! :P They aren't expensive from what I re-call ...

Making one for a glass tank is tricky, you have to make it tight enough so there isn't gaps for the BP to escape from.

wat do those usually go for
rubbermaids i mean

You can buy a 94 quart (If I'm not wrong) for around 8-10 dollars.
Walmart ...

You'd be amazed how well they hold humidity.

When I used a glass tank holding humidity was so hard.

The rubbermaid/sterilite holes humidity at around 55.
I only mist when my snakes in shed.

wat a great store

yeah you can probably get the rubbermaid for the same or less than what you would spend on the screen top, depending on what size tank you have.

I use aspen for bedding, which is realllllllly dry.
And the rubbermaid still keeps humidity at 55.
I use a giganitc dog bowel though! :D

you use a dog bowel?!? :shock: :lol:

ok im sold ill go out and get one of those because i would have to buy a new tank eventually because this one i a little on the small side

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Originally Posted by mlededee

you use a dog bowel?!? :shock: :lol:

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Mhmm, I'll show you a picture of my set-up tomorrow.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Buckeye

ok im sold ill go out and get one of those because i would have to buy a new tank eventually because this one i a little on the small side

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If you want a REALLY big tub. Go here - www.reptiletubs.com

i could probably pilfer my dogs bowl its huge as well

Oh yeah, I dunno if you saw the DIY guide for the rubbermaid ... but here it is.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/Sections...27-page-1.html

I hope you plan to use a heat-pad and not a lamp with it lol.
Lamps dry out your humidity.

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If you want a REALLY big tub. Go here - www.reptiletubs.com

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thanx ill proly get oner from there

Mmmkay, enjoy.