Anyone here use Zoo Med Repti Bark?

I'm looking to change my bp's substrate to something that will give humidity and I was wondering if anyone here uses repti bark and if they like it? Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Joci

I'm looking to change my bp's substrate to something that will give humidity and I was wondering if anyone here uses repti bark and if they like it? Thanks!

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I use Forest Floor...
EDIT:When you spray Forest Floor it boosts. lol

i used Reptibark years ago and it was nice; definitely boosts humidity. only thing i didn't like was the price. i've since moved on to Reptichip, and it's AMAZING for humidity. it has more than twice the amount of substrate for the same price as a big bag of the Reptibark. for one snake tho, it's a LOT of substrate. if you go that route, you'll need a big bin to store it all in.

reptibark is not that great for ball pythons. I would personally recommend Reptile Prime but ZooMed Eco Earth (Coconut Fiber) works great as does Forest Floor (Cypress Mulch)

The benefit of Reptile Prime is low dust and comes loose and dry so you can moisten it as you need to.

Used to use cypress mulch but once I switched to coco fiber I was much happier.

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Originally Posted by SDA

reptibark is not that great for ball pythons. I would personally recommend Reptile Prime but ZooMed Eco Earth (Coconut Fiber) works great as does Forest Floor (Cypress Mulch)

The benefit of Reptile Prime is low dust and comes loose and dry so you can moisten it as you need to.

Used to use cypress mulch but once I switched to coco fiber I was much happier.

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Reptile prime is nice :) plus sunshine is on some of the bags. : 0

Coconut fiber+Repti bark is a nice mixture that holds humidity, but the cost might be a turn off


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I am using Repti Bark for my GTP and ATB because they need extremely high humidtey when shedding, around 90%. BP,s don,t need such high humidtey, I use for my BP Aspin in one area of his enclosure and another special soil substrate in an another area

I use reptile prime. I don't want anything bark touching my snakes. Just my opinion. I love reptile prime for the low dust, and holds moisture better than anything else I have tried.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

I use reptile prime. I don't want anything bark touching my snakes. Just my opinion. I love reptile prime for the low dust, and holds moisture better than anything else I have tried.

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Why? What's the bark gonna do to your snake?

Slivers if any chance scare me. Lol. I know I'm paranoid. No wood for my beeps.

As of right now I use Forrest Floor (cypress mulch). Seems good so far.

Over here in the uk , in my region ReptiBark looks to be the same stuff we get called Orchid Bark or Reptile Bark - either way in my opinion it's the best substrate by a mile . Looks great in the viv , makes most snakes look better colour-wise AND holds as much or as little humidity as you require .


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I use a mixture of eco-earth and repti-bark. works well for humidity as well as visually appealing and easy to spot clean.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

I use a mixture of eco-earth and repti-bark. works well for humidity as well as visually appealing and easy to spot clean.

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Agreed !
Years ago I used your mixture for some BRBs - also had a lush layer of moss over the top though .


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Agreed !
Years ago I used your mixture for some BRBs - also had a lush layer of moss over the top though .


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I add moss as well during dry months and during shed cycles. Looks good and helps with humidity.

I will NEVER get on here and bash any product or company unless they actually deserve it.

With that being said, I know for a FACT that I've gotten a mite infestation from ZooMed Forest Floor Cypress before. Yup, the same stuff they sell at Petsmart.

Just so you're aware, If you want to use that stuff..... just heat treat it before (bake it in a disposable turkey pan at 325 degrees for 45 minutes, then let it cool off completely before using). The process to get rid of mites is not fun.



What enclosure are you using where you need your substrate to provide humidity?

.....years of experience on my end will tell you that the BEST possible thing you can do is invest in pvc cages (which hold humidity) and then you can use aspen, kraft paper, or newspaper all with roughly 50-60% humidity levels.

Using a glass tank leaves you with a constant uphill battle for humidity levels.....and you prevent a LOT of headaches by using a PVC cage.

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Originally Posted by Tinyballs

I will NEVER get on here and bash any product or company unless they actually deserve it.

With that being said, I know for a FACT that I've gotten a mite infestation from ZooMed Forest Floor Cypress before. Yup, the same stuff they sell at Petsmart.

Just so you're aware, If you want to use that stuff..... just heat treat it before (bake it in a disposable turkey pan at 325 degrees for 45 minutes, then let it cool off completely before using). The process to get rid of mites is not fun.



What enclosure are you using where you need your substrate to provide humidity?

.....years of experience on my end will tell you that the BEST possible thing you can do is invest in pvc cages (which hold humidity) and then you can use aspen, kraft paper, or newspaper all with roughly 50-60% humidity levels.

Using a glass tank leaves you with a constant uphill battle for humidity levels.....and you prevent a LOT of headaches by using a PVC cage.

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Trust me, I would love to switch to PVC, but it's just not in everybody's budget. I have years of experience as well, and have had ZERO issues with glass. Yes, from everything I read PVC is easier, but I've been keeping snakes in glass for years and will be for at least a while longer.

Treating any substrate prior to use is also a good practice because mites can piggy back home on almost any product.

All I can tell you is my individual experiences.

If I buy a 40 gallon breeder tank. Spend MAYBE $30-$40 if you get a GOOD deal on a used one. New? ....$60-$100
Buy a heat pad. $20+
Buy a rheo/therm for the heat pad. $20-$100
Buy a lamp fixture. $20
Buy a rheo for the lamp fixture. $20-$50
Buy a basking lamp/ ceramic/ red bulb. Then replace that bad boy every few months. $15-$30 every two months....if not more. CHE is the best option, and they are not cheap.
Buy new, humidity-holding bedding every few months. Constantly spray the enclosure for you humidity levels.


If you do the math, and consider the long-term costs. A PVC does save you money, and initially costs nearly the same as a glass unless you REALLY try to price shop.



The only reason I continue to push them SO much is that they saved me both MONEY and a TON of time. Best investment I've ever made for my animals.


To each their own however.

Some species do wonderful in glass, some do not. I am finally down to one snake, one pet actually and can finally justify switching to PVC. I would have done this years ago if the availability of PVC was as plentiful as it is today. Not that long ago getting a PVC or even fiberglass enclosure was a large ordeal upwards of $600+ just for the cage. Finally the cost is actually cheaper total than the headache and cost of glass. I think the days of glass enclosures are numbered but at least we have affordable options instead of being pretty much relegated to one medium.

This is my first snake that I purchased in back in August when I wasn’t even aware that there was another option besides glass.

The humidity is fine, I’d just rather it be a little more self-sustaining. I am currently using paper towels, which aren’t very aesthetically pleasing lol


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Originally Posted by Tinyballs

I will NEVER get on here and bash any product or company unless they actually deserve it.

With that being said, I know for a FACT that I've gotten a mite infestation from ZooMed Forest Floor Cypress before. Yup, the same stuff they sell at Petsmart.

Just so you're aware, If you want to use that stuff..... just heat treat it before (bake it in a disposable turkey pan at 325 degrees for 45 minutes, then let it cool off completely before using). The process to get rid of mites is not fun.



What enclosure are you using where you need your substrate to provide humidity?

.....years of experience on my end will tell you that the BEST possible thing you can do is invest in pvc cages (which hold humidity) and then you can use aspen, kraft paper, or newspaper all with roughly 50-60% humidity levels.

Using a glass tank leaves you with a constant uphill battle for humidity levels.....and you prevent a LOT of headaches by using a PVC cage.

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Have you you heard this to be common? Should I be concerned? Don't want any mites...

I don't think it's extremely common, as I had purchased numerous bags of the stuff before I had my incident and I never had a problem. Still, I KNOW the mites came from inside the bag, and not another source. There was another user the other day saying they thought they picked mites up from a bag of aspen.

However, I think it still should be common practice to sterilize with the stuff (baking it as I described before).

Wood mites? Yes. Ophionyssus natricis (reptile mites)? Not sure but highly unlikely. I suppose theoretically if you buy a bag from a heavily infested store that has mites all over the place, you could get hitchhikers but from the factory itself, not possible.

I used this product for over 10 years without issues but there have been rumors of bugs in the bags.

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Originally Posted by Tinyballs

I don't think it's common, as I had purchased numerous bags of the stuff before I had my incident and I never had a problem. Still, I KNOW the mites came from inside the bag, and not another source.

However, I think it still should be common practice to sterilize with the stuff (baking it as I described before).

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Okay. I will keep on the look out just in case. Bad on me though for not sterilizing before I put it in there... Should I try to just take it out and bake it this weekend or wait until I change it? Dewey is new so I'm afraid that if I do something that large he will be a bit stressed.

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Originally Posted by SDA

Wood mites? Yes. Ophionyssus natricis (reptile mites)? Not sure but highly unlikely. I suppose theoretically if you buy a bag from a heavily infested store that has mites all over the place, you could get hitchhikers but from the factory itself, not possible.

I used this product for over 10 years without issues but there have been rumors of bugs in the bags.

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Okay, thank you for the info. Wood mites are not harmful though, right? And this makes me feel a little better.

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Originally Posted by SDA

Wood mites? Yes. Ophionyssus natricis (reptile mites)? Not sure but highly unlikely.

I used this product for over 10 years without issues but there have been rumors of bugs in the bags.

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What I'm telling you is 100% true.

There were enough mites in that bag, that it wasn't a case of "hitchhikers". It was a SEALED bag of ZooMed forest floor, bought directly from Petsmart.

I as well used it for years without issue, and then had a massive mite infestation literally overnight. Not woodmites, reptile mites. I've kept herps for 15 years now, I know the difference.

I'm not relying on rumors, this was my own experience.

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Originally Posted by GiddyGoat

Okay, thank you for the info. Wood mites are not harmful though, right? And this makes me feel a little better.

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If you have a wooden snake, they are their worst nightmare. Joking aside, if you are concerned, bake the stuff at 250 in an oven for a few hours (remove from bag first!). That would kill anything.

Wait till you change it, it would be too late now. I wouldn't worry about it though.

Just sterilize from now on.

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Originally Posted by SDA

If you have a wooden snake, they are their worst nightmare. Joking aside, if you are concerned, bake the stuff at 250 in an oven for a few hours (remove from bag first!). That would kill anything.

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Originally Posted by Tinyballs

Wait till you change it, it would be too late now. I wouldn't worry about it though.

Just sterilize from now on.

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Alright. Thanks both of you for the help!

I use Reptile Prime (formerly Herptopia)

I also like ReptiChip, but what I don't like about that one is how you have to get it to expand. It takes a bunch of water and then you need a BIG bin to store it and it will stay wet for quite a while. To wet for my tub setup. Raises the humidty to 100 and stays there for a while. Eventually it will dry out enough in the big bin until it won't raise the humidity that much. But it just ended up more work then I liked. If I could buy that stuff "dry" and already expanded, I would.

I know the bag wouldn't be compressed and there would be "less" in there, but it would be worth it to me to be able to store it easier and be able to control the humidity better (mist only as needed)

So for now Reptile Prime it is. It ends up being more expensive as ReptiChip, but its dry, the "pieces" aren't as chunky and its easy to store. I just open a bag and leave it in the snake room until I need a new bag. No more huge bin of wet ReptiChip that I have to stir several times the day to get it to dry faster..

I'm not a big fan of bark and cypruss mulch. First of all, almost ALL the cypruss mulch is actually a "blend" of other woods plus cypruss. And one doesn't always know what kind of woods are in there. Plus some of the pieces and "slivers" look a bit to sharp to me.


But then...different things work for different people, snakes and setups. That's why its so great to have such a large variety to choose from :)