What substrate do you all use???

I wondered what kind of substrate people use for their ball pythons and why... I am thinking of swapping from aspen to ReptiChip but I'm not sure...

I've used reptile prime since I got my first bp. Ive had no issues and it holds moisture well for humidity. I figure there's no reason to mess with what works.

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+1 for reptile prime. Holds humidity without any mold easy to spot clean.

I use a mix of EcoEarth and ReptiBark. I've been using it for years. It holds humidity well, spot cleans easy, retains odor and looks naturalistic. And it's a hundred times less messy than aspen.

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Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

I use a mix of EcoEarth and ReptiBark. I've been using it for years. It holds humidity well, spot cleans easy, retains odor and looks naturalistic. And it's a hundred times less messy than aspen.

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What part EcoEarth to ReptiBark do you use. Also, do you think I should switch off of aspen? I saw a way older post that got deleted (:c) Back when I was just a guest and they said they mixed ReptiChip, ReptiBark, and EcoEarth all together...

I use the reptizorb liners with my ARS racks. But our winter here is pretty dry and even with two humidifiers i cant get the humidity up in the winter. So I actually use the reptizorb and add reptichip on top. Just makes it so much easier for me to clean up. I only have to do this in the winter...rest of the season my reptile room humidity is fine so liners is all I need and super fast and easy for clean up.

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Originally Posted by Serpentine_Queen

What part EcoEarth to ReptiBark do you use. Also, do you think I should switch off of aspen? I saw a way older post that got deleted (:c) Back when I was just a guest and they said they mixed ReptiChip, ReptiBark, and EcoEarth all together...

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I just eyeball it honestly, but I'd say it's probably pretty close to 50/50. In the winter I add a bit more EcoEarth since it holds humidity better.

I personally don't like aspen, but it's personal preference, certainly nothing wrong with it. It's just dusty, messy and doesn't hold humidity well. Plus I prefer the more naturalistic look of the EcoEarth and ReptiBark better. But again, just preference.

I started out using Forest Floor (cypress mulch) but switched to ReptiChip (coconut chip) because of personal concerns around the environmental impact of harvesting cypress trees. Both have been very good substrates - though I would give the edge to ReptiChip. It holds a steady humidity level very well, for various humidity ranges. I have had no problems with mold even when I use it in the enclosure for my young Brazilian Rainbow Boa, who requires 99% humidity at all times.

I use aspen alone for my Kingsnake and for my Children's and Stimson's Pythons. The Ball Python, Rainbow Boa, Green Tree Python, and Jungle Carpet Python all have ReptChip. Everybody requires somewhat different humidity gradients, and ReptiChip has been great in all cases. Once I run out of my current batch of aspen I will probably switch everyone over to ReptiChip, because it's less dusty, easier to spot clean, and seems to be great for everything from low to high humidity.

Orchid bark .. looks fabulous and natural plus it enhances the colours and patterns of the snakes .

It’s also great for adjusting the humidity as you can have it damp or bone dry and anywhere inbetween



I detest aspen with a vengeance as not only does it look unnatural it kinda drains the colours out of the snakes ...oh and it drove the wife bonkers the stuff gets all over the place ...

Aspen

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...0fb3b1ad8d.jpg

Orchid bark

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...267b7f5dea.jpg
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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Orchid bark .. looks fabulous and natural plus it enhances the colours and patterns of the snakes .

It’s also great for adjusting the humidity as you can have it damp or bone dry and anywhere inbetween



I detest aspen with a vengeance as not only does it look unnatural it kinda drains the colours out of the snakes ...oh and it drove the wife bonkers the stuff gets all over the place ...

Aspen

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...0fb3b1ad8d.jpg

Orchid bark

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...267b7f5dea.jpg
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What brand of Orchid Bark do you use? I have a lighter colored snake (Pastel-Lesser) so it might make his colors pop better than the aspen he currently is on. Either that or coconut chips...

Depends on various factors winter vs summer (meaning dry vs humid), whether the animal is breeding or not, whether the animal is in my personal collection or not etc.

I have used them all and now it is between coconut chips or kraft paper.

Ultimately YOU have to find what works for YOU and allows YOU to provide the proper environment.

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Originally Posted by Serpentine_Queen

What brand of Orchid Bark do you use? I have a lighter colored snake (Pastel-Lesser) so it might make his colors pop better than the aspen he currently is on. Either that or coconut chips...

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I presumed it was all the same tbh

I just know that just about any colour of snake will be enhanced with darker coloured substrate- obvious exceptions being Mexican Black king snakes, darker Royals ( Charcoal ?) etc etc


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I simply asked because I did look into orchid bark and the ones at my local Home Depot had 4 different types of orchid bark and they were are wildly different... I forgot the name of the brands but I'm not sure...

Cypress mulch and sphagnum moss