Idea for a substrate

I was at work today and notice my painters had a huge roll of contractor paper which is alot like the paper that paper bags from the grocery store are made of.
I was thinking of using this as a substrate in my rack when I get it.
Any thoughts,comments or has anyone ever used it. It is a little like kraft paper and I can get a huge roll dirt cheap at Lowes or from one of my vendors.

Sounds like a good idea! I dont see a problem with it. ;)

Anyone else w/ any thoughts or replys ? :)

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Originally Posted by jotay

I was at work today and notice my painters had a huge roll of contractor paper which is alot like the paper that paper bags from the grocery store are made of.
I was thinking of using this as a substrate in my rack when I get it.
Any thoughts,comments or has anyone ever used it. It is a little like kraft paper and I can get a huge roll dirt cheap at Lowes or from one of my vendors.

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I think I know what you are talking about. If its the stuff I am thinking about(I'll snap a pic really fast for you) its more of a hastle than a good thing. Its stays rolled up and takes a long time to flatten out

I would wonder how absorbent it is. Try laying a sheet of it down next to a couple sheets of newspaper...then pour some liquid onto both of them and see how much of it runs off vs. how much is absorbed by the paper.

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Originally Posted by JLC

I would wonder how absorbent it is. Try laying a sheet of it down next to a couple sheets of newspaper...then pour some liquid onto both of them and see how much of it runs off vs. how much is absorbed by the paper.

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I'll go try that in a second

I use stuff similar to that for quarentine and when I run out of Apen Bedding. I also use it for my Geckos. It works great! Especially if the roll of it is the same size as the cage because you just cut it and stick it in.

With the issue of having it staying rolled up, I just lay it where the sides are pushing down towards the cage and stick the stuff on top. Depending on what you are using, somce stay by just setting it there. It depends on how tightly rounded the stuff was when it was packed.

I think it works great!

Hard to tell by this but the water just pooled on it as with the paper towels it was very absorbant
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...Picture034.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...Picture033.jpg

and the actual product roll
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...Picture035.jpg
It would be fine for Geckos but not very absorbant for a snakes poo

Thanks! That was mighty nice of you to test it out for me :)

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Originally Posted by jotay

Thanks! That was mighty nice of you to test it out for me :)

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lol Sure thing. I would stick with paper towels and aspen personally for snakes. It would be nice for geckos though I agree. Might try it. This roll wasn't as tightly wound!!

might work ok, some i've seen seems to have a shiny surface. i wonder too, on how it will soak up?


unprinted newsprint works good!

vaughn

I thought contractor paper was designed to repel water and moisture? I thought it was used alot as a secondary moisture barrier overtop of insulation, subfloors etc? maybe theres different styles or something :confused:..... if its the same stuff Im thinking about, you may as well not use any substrate, cause that stuff isnt going to absorb anything, it goes against its design (which is to repel water)

A breader friend of mine turned me on to organic cypress mulch. It's all natural shredded wood: no chemicals in it. It is also the same as the repti bark the the pet stores sell, except you can get it at a Lowes or Home Depot. Just make sure it is organic. Also you get a huge bag. My cousin and i use it for a combo of 7 snake setups, 2 of which house 10' burmese. So you get a lot and we still have some left over. Best of all its a fraction of the price of repti bark. Costs only $2. Yes thats it and it works great every time they go poo. You just take it out with a paper towel along with a decent amount of the mulch, then refresh it with some fresh mulch. You only have to completely clean once every 3 weeks or so depending on how much your snake poos. You might want to check with a few other members on here to double check if its ok but that is what i have been using for a year now with no problems.

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Originally Posted by Jason9301

A breader friend of mine turned me on to organic cypress mulch its all natural shredded wood no chemicals in it and it is also the same as the repti bark the the pet stores sell except you can get it at a lowes or home depot just make sure it is organic also you get a huge bag my cousin and i use it for a combo of 7 snake setups 2 of which house 10' burmese so you get alot and we still have some left over best of all its a fraction of the price of repti bark cost only $2 yes thats it and it works great everytime they go poo you just take it out with a paper towel along with a decent amount of the mulch then refresh it with some fresh mulch and you only have to completly clean once every 3 weeks or so depending on how much your snake poos you might want to checkl with a few other members on here to double check if its ok but that is what i have been using for a year now with no problems

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Wow, that hurt to read. Are your punctuation buttons broken?

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

Wow, that hurt to read. Are your punctuation buttons broken?

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I understand you might want punctuation, but im trying to give someone and idea. It's sad thats all you can say about a post, i'm trying to help people out and your going to worry about my punctuation ? Im Glad your here to be a typing teacher and not offer your valuable knowledge to other people ! :sabduel:

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

Wow, that hurt to read. Are your punctuation buttons broken?

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I edited that post to get some clarity out of it. Jason9301, your participation and advice is welcomed and much appreciated. But it would be wasted if people cannot understand what one is trying to convey. :colbert2:

Understand , but i think there are better ways to say things. Ex: Jason good post but, next time use punctuation so it will be easier to read . Any way not going to keep this up. This is getting off topic then what was started.

I also use masking/kraft paper and it works great. I put 2 or 3 layers for greater absorbancy. A breeder recommended it to me for my albinos because newspaper can stain them and the kraft paper doesn't leave ink residue. I bought 15" rolls which is the width of my tubs and it takes 2 seconds to put in. I don't have any problems with it rolling up, maybe right at the end of the roll. It's not as absorbent as newspaper per sheet but that's why I put a few layers.

There are definately a lot of boa breeders that use indented kraft paper as bedding. It works great in large cages that you would have to use more than one sheet of newsprint in.

I really like The NewYork Times and the Wall Street Journal for my 32qt tubs its a perfect fit and the ink is very mild. Just my two cents

The contractor paper I was thinking about was more like masking paper that painters use. It does absorb moisture, seems to be like kraft paper.

When I get my rack I may give it a try and I will post back.

Thanks!