Grow!t = Reptichip?

I'm thinking of using Reptichip as one of my choice substrate but heard it often compared to Grow!t and stated that it was exactly the same thing and functions just as well. I've been seeing a few reptile keepers using Grow!t instead of Reptichip and was wondering if anyone else had any experience with it? How does it compare to Reptichip or other substrate you've used? How is it different and how is it similar?

Depends who you ask.....
Reptichip vendors claim its different coconut husk or "special"

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Depends who you ask.....
Reptichip vendors claim its different coconut husk or "special"

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Makes me wonder what they are defining as "special" :p

There was a post here with a response from JT (OnTheBall) but I cant find it or remember his user name here.

Found it: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ight=reptichip post #10

Coco coir chip is nothing new it's been around in the horticulture's world (especially among orchid people) for a long time what is new is that now it is marketed to snake keepers.

I have tried both Reptichip and grow it side by side with the same results.

I now use grow it exclusively and buy it from here http://www.midlandhardware.com/181071.html, it is on sale on a regular basis for les than $10 and I usually order 10 at the time.

Other consideration if you need a lot of it (small pallet) is this http://www.prococo.com/

I've been using Plant !t/Grow !t after having used reptichip, and it performs similarly but honestly I like reptichip better. Plant !t seems to be wildly inconsistent as far as chip size, full of fluffy shredded fibers, and not quite as absorbent and I've had it stain lighter colored surfaces when it gets damp/wet. Having said that it does work well but it is a fairly different product compared to reptichip. I've heard the pro coco stuff was closer to reptichip but I can't speak from experience for that brand.


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

I've been using Plant !t/Grow !t after having used reptichip, and it performs similarly but honestly I like reptichip better. Plant !t seems to be wildly inconsistent as far as chip size, full of fluffy shredded fibers, and not quite as absorbent and I've had it stain lighter colored surfaces when it gets damp/wet. Having said that it does work well but it is a fairly different product compared to reptichip. I've heard the pro coco stuff was closer to reptichip but I can't speak from experience for that brand.


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Thanks for your feedback! I didn't factor in staining or inconsistency. Were the amount of fibers ever problematic? Or are the fibers an issue in themselves besides being inconsistent?

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Coco coir chip is nothing new it's been around in the horticulture's world (especially among orchid people) for a long time what is new is that now it is marketed to snake keepers.

I have tried both Reptichip and grow it side by side with the same results.

I now use grow it exclusively and buy it from here http://www.midlandhardware.com/181071.html, it is on sale on a regular basis for les than $10 and I usually order 10 at the time.

Other consideration if you need a lot of it (small pallet) is this http://www.prococo.com/

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Prococo was another I was thinking about using. Between their chips-n-fiber and cocochips, which would you say is better to use?

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

Thanks for your feedback! I didn't factor in staining or inconsistency. Were the amount of fibers ever problematic? Or are the fibers an issue in themselves besides being inconsistent?

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No problem. Fibers aren't really problematic in any way. Just makes for a hairy kind of mixture compared to the more uniform size of the chips in reptichip. I feel like reptichip was a bit softer/more spongy and soaked up more moisture more easily but I'm getting fairly picky in my compare and contrast analysis here haha. Try them both and see what's best for you


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Good info in this thread. Thanks!

I've used both as well and really the only difference i found was that ReptiChip seemed to be more consistent in sizing vs the GrowIt stuff was all over the place and like JM said, the GrowIt stuff seemed to have more fluufy bunches of fibers. But i quit using all that stuff as my snakes seemed to hate any of the coco stuff lol. They love their aspen.

I am unable to help as far as comparing different brands, because I have only used reptichip. I can however recommend reptichip because its what I have been using, and I am happy with it. The only negative thing I can say about it is, its kinda a pain breaking it down from its brick form. But, I think my 2nd brick will be easier now that I have some experience with it lol.

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

Prococo was another I was thinking about using. Between their chips-n-fiber and cocochips, which would you say is better to use?

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to me the coco chips is similar to reptichip bigger pieces while the chip n fiber is composed of smaller chunk and more fiber.

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Originally Posted by MmmBanana

I am unable to help as far as comparing different brands, because I have only used reptichip. I can however recommend reptichip because its what I have been using, and I am happy with it. The only negative thing I can say about it is, its kinda a pain breaking it down from its brick form. But, I think my 2nd brick will be easier now that I have some experience with it lol.

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How did you end up breaking it down? Cutting it or sawing? or did you get the portion you wanted a little damp to help pull it apart easier?

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

How did you end up breaking it down? Cutting it or sawing? or did you get the portion you wanted a little damp to help pull it apart easier?

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I just put the brick in a big plastic storage container(forgot the exact size) and soaked it in water. It'll absorb it and get bigger and start falling apart. Then you can dump out the excess water. I think the key for this to be successful is to use patients. I didnt, and I started breaking the loose parts off as soon as I could. I probably would have wasted less energy if I would have just left it soak for 30min before touching it.

Here is the video that gave me the idea to soak it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLwL7xSeKYQ

I've used Prococo and ReptiChip and in all honesty they are on par with each other. I ended up buying Prococo in bulk so it was a better deal for me but I would happily use ReptiChip if it turned out to be a better deal one day as well.

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

How did you end up breaking it down? Cutting it or sawing? or did you get the portion you wanted a little damp to help pull it apart easier?

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Breaking it is easy, I use a big 64 quarts tub, put the brick in and pour 3 to 4 gallons of warm water on it. Once absorbed it will break off.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Breaking it is easy, I use a big 64 quarts tub, put the brick in and pour 3 to 4 gallons of warm water on it. Once absorbed it will break off.

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I never thought to use warm water. Any water I ever use for my pets is cold water. Years ago when I was interested in having an aquarium, I was always told not to use warm water because it goes through more piping(like the water heater) that can add contaminates in the water. Even if this is true, could it possibly add anything that could harm a snake? I'm guessing no since you're saying thats what you do, and from what I see around here, you've been in this hobby for a good amount of time.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Breaking it is easy, I use a big 64 quarts tub, put the brick in and pour 3 to 4 gallons of warm water on it. Once absorbed it will break off.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by MmmBanana

I just put the brick in a big plastic storage container(forgot the exact size) and soaked it in water. It'll absorb it and get bigger and start falling apart. Then you can dump out the excess water. I think the key for this to be successful is to use patients. I didnt, and I started breaking the loose parts off as soon as I could. I probably would have wasted less energy if I would have just left it soak for 30min before touching it.

Here is the video that gave me the idea to soak it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLwL7xSeKYQ

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How do you store your unused portions? Once it absorbs water do you have it dry off before storing it? Or if not have you ever worried about fungal or bacteria growth while it was stored? How long or well would you say it keeps?

I have left it stored in the plastic bin. I was worried about the possibility of mold, but I have not had any issues yet. I have it in a dark tub, and I try to store it in a cool dark place.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Coco coir chip is nothing new it's been around in the horticulture's world (especially among orchid people) for a long time what is new is that now it is marketed to snake keepers.

I have tried both Reptichip and grow it side by side with the same results.

I now use grow it exclusively and buy it from here http://www.midlandhardware.com/181071.html, it is on sale on a regular basis for les than $10 and I usually order 10 at the time.

Other consideration if you need a lot of it (small pallet) is this http://www.prococo.com/

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Well I'm giving it a try, there is a prococo dealer 45 minutes away from me, but Midland can ship it to my door for about the same price/volume

I tried Grow-it and I don't like it, it has lots of fiber in it, the fiber is useless, doesn't absorb smells or moisture. Pro coco is exactly the same as Reptichip, but I can easily get Reptichip on EBay or Amazon so that's what I buy. I go through 4 blocks every 6 weeks.