Aspen vs. Reptichip vs. Cypress Mulch

Would be interested in getting people's opinions on which substrates they like best (besides newspaper and paper towels), some pro and cons, and any other info that might help me decide on which to go with.

I was pretty convinced I was going to use Aspen, but then started reading that while easy to spot clean, can get messy. And, mold can form. Not so much with the others?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

I've never used cypress mulch but I have used aspen and coconut husk. I like coconut husk the best. That doesn't mean it's the best, but I like it. It's easy to keep humidity up and the odor control is awesome. For ball pythons anyways. Coconut might not be the best for a species that likes to burrow.

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Originally Posted by cletus

I've never used cypress mulch but I have used aspen and coconut husk. I like coconut husk the best. That doesn't mean it's the best, but I like it. It's easy to keep humidity up and the odor control is awesome. For ball pythons anyways. Coconut might not be the best for a species that likes to burrow.

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Are you using glass tanks? tubs? plastic enclosure? Or, something else?

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Originally Posted by CharlesMTF

Are you using glass tanks? tubs? plastic enclosure? Or, something else?

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I use tubs. I break off a handful of coco husk and break it up in a bowl. I get a spray bottle and spray it and mix it to the desired moisture level. I don't put too much in. Just enough to cover the floor of the tub. They move it around quite a bit and it builds up in the corners of the tub. As it dries I just give it a spray here and there to maintain the humidity. It works for me and my snakes always have perfect sheds. I deviate from the instructions but I'm not using a whole brick at a time like some folks do. The spray bottle method works for me.

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Originally Posted by cletus

I use tubs. I break off a handful of coco husk and break it up in a bowl. I get a spray bottle and spray it and mix it to the desired moisture level. I don't put too much in. Just enough to cover the floor of the tub. They move it around quite a bit and it builds up in the corners of the tub. As it dries I just give it a spray here and there to maintain the humidity. It works for me and my snakes always have perfect sheds. I deviate from the instructions but I'm not using a whole brick at a time like some folks do. The spray bottle method works for me.

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How well does this work for fece? Is it easy to spot clean with this?

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I like coco chips. Currently using pro coco which is the same as reptichip. I like it a lot. Easy to clean and keep humidity. It's great at absorbing odors. I do plan on trying Cypress after I'm out of pro coco though because it's so cheap and I've heard good things.


Here's a good thread on Cypress
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...4708-Substrate

This one has feedback from a few different coconut substrates
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...rate-Herptopia

I have use them all there are pro and con depending on what you are using one of the most important thing to keep in mind when choosing the right bedding is humidity and depending on where you live some bedding might be better suited than others.

I like aspen but it is dusty and mold very easily, it also does not help much with humidity which is fine in the summer when you live in the south but in the winter, not so much.

I used cypress mulch but my main issue were the large sharp pieces and the fact that it is not a soft bedding.

Now I use coco coir chips (similar to reptichip) , it's a nice soft bedding, holding humidity very well, and it does not have a tendency to mold.

I have also used paper towel and newspaper in the past.

To add to what Deborah is saying regarding what you're using it for, I think what type of snake makes a difference. I have some Garter snakes and a milk snake and for them I like aspen because it allows them to tunnel well. For my BPs and Dumerils, I use coco - it provides good humidity for the BPs and permits my Dum to bury himself easily.

Between aspen and coco, I think aspen is easiest to spot clean since it's easier to see and smell.


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I use repti-chips for my juvenile BP and adult King, aspen for my hatchling/juvenile corns. The aspen allows for easy tunneling and burrowing for the little corns, but I will switch them to repti-chips once they are bigger. I like the repti-chip for odor and humidity control, ease of cleaning and I like the look of repti-chip better. My adult king does burrow on occasion, but gets around just fine in the repti-chip.

I have yet to try cypress mulch, but based on some info I've read I may try it once it's time to re-stock.

Also, I am currently using glass enclosures until I can rehouse them in PVC.

I use aspen but as said above it sucks at holding humidity and also molds easier than the rest. I used what was left of some cypress mulch Strudel's previous owners gave me, and it held humidity amazingly well. either reptichip or some other coconut based substrate is probably your best bet.

I use Cypres quite a bit. it has a natural anti fungal quality and holds moisture nicely. from a sustainability perspective I bet coco is much better as it's surely a byproduct of cocanut fruit processing rather than a rainforest tree cut down and chipped. my excuse if that I go with a more bio-active approach and use cypress sparingly.

Recommendations on where to buy ReptiChip online for cheap? And, how much of it will I need for my initial T8 setup?

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Originally Posted by CharlesMTF

Recommendations on where to buy ReptiChip online for cheap? And, how much of it will I need for my initial T8 setup?

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I'm trying this stuff next as it seems to be the same thing from what I've been able to gather from other folks on here. http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/p...oil-amendments
If indeed it is a comparable product you should be able to cover a T8 with maybe 1/8-1/6 of a block. I cover 2 T8s with 1/4-1/3 of a block of reptichip.


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

I'm trying this stuff next as it seems to be the same thing from what I've been able to gather from other folks on here. http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/p...oil-amendments

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i'm going to be trying this stuff out too once i've used up my reptichip; people say it is virtually the same.

I made the switch to reptichip from Cypress Mulch and I have zero complains, both products pretty much do the same exact thing. I like reptichip a little better because I found myself removing a lot of pieces from the cypress and the wife was complaining about my continues use of the oven to bake it. I buy my reptichip from amazon, can't beat free 2 day shipping.

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

I'm trying this stuff next as it seems to be the same thing from what I've been able to gather from other folks on here. http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/p...oil-amendments

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Maybe I should just start with this product. But, then again, its $10.95 a for 2 cu. ft., plus $8.99 shipping... so $20 total for me. With Amazon, and Prime shipping, whole thing would be $22.95 for 2.5 cu. ft. of the ReptiChip (including shipping and no tax). Amazon seems to be the best price I can find overall.

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Originally Posted by mdb730

I buy my reptichip from amazon, can't beat free 2 day shipping.

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Agreed... as I'm seeing. Wonder if its any cheaper going to the reptile shows or expos... going to the one this month in Long Island, NY, and probably the one next month in White Plains.

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

If indeed it is a comparable product you should be able to cover a T8 with maybe 1/8-1/6 of a block. I cover 2 T8s with 1/4-1/3 of a block of reptichip.

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Are you putting this stuff in the enclosure dry? Or, a little damp?

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Originally Posted by CharlesMTF

Are you putting this stuff in the enclosure dry? Or, a little damp?

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Definitely dampened. It's a heavily compressed block that expands when you add water. You'll have a hell of a time breaking up a block without any moisture. That's the primary appeal of it to me, is that it holds great humidity.


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Originally Posted by CharlesMTF

Maybe I should just start with this product. But, then again, its $10.95 a for 2 cu. ft., plus $8.99 shipping... so $20 total for me. With Amazon, and Prime shipping, whole thing would be $22.95 for 2.5 cu. ft. of the ReptiChip (including shipping and no tax). Amazon seems to be the best price I can find overall.

Agreed... as I'm seeing. Wonder if its any cheaper going to the reptile shows or expos... going to the one this month in Long Island, NY, and probably the one next month in White Plains.

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I picked up my first brick at the last Hamburg show from Dale's bearded dragon for $20. They run some bulk prices as well and I think they also do white plains and LI shows.

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Originally Posted by CharlesMTF

Maybe I should just start with this product. But, then again, its $10.95 a for 2 cu. ft., plus $8.99 shipping... so $20 total for me. With Amazon, and Prime shipping, whole thing would be $22.95 for 2.5 cu. ft. of the ReptiChip (including shipping and no tax). Amazon seems to be the best price.

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It expands to "roughly" 2-2.5 cubic feet. It comes in a 12"x12"x6" brick. I don't pay for amazon prime so next time I need coco chips I'm going with Plant !t because it's half the price of reptichip and shipping is $8.99 whether I buy one block or 10 blocks, better deal for me


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

It expands to "roughly" 2-2.5 cubic feet. It comes in a 12"x12"x6" brick. I don't pay for amazon prime so next time I need coco chips I'm going with Plant !t because it's half the price of reptichip and shipping is $8.99 whether I buy one block or 10 blocks, better deal for me

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Yep... just tried it with one block... but, heck, if its $8.99 shipping regardless of how many blocks you buy, then yea, this will be great.