Some thoughts on Reptile Prime

[WhompingWillow]

!!!

Why didn't I try this stuff sooner?

Now that we have officially been mite-free for more than a month (knock on wood), I decided to give most everyone their substrate back. I decided to try Reptile Prime since I've basically tried everything else on the market (Reptichip, aspen for the corn, paper towels, cypress mulch, ReptiBark...) I'm not a fan of EcoEarth from previous experiences, which is why I held out on Reptile Prime for so long. But IMO it's sooo much better than EcoEarth!

Pros:
- Retains humidity like a boss, and it's MUCH easier to control the initial level of humidity than, say, Reptichip. Watching this stuff absorb water was like magic. I poured quite a bit in but the substrate barely felt wet.
- Virtually dust-free. I had some debris on my fingers, but barely any, even when I was mixing water in with my hand. Like I said, magic!
- A little goes a long way, which helps mitigate one of the cons (it's a bit pricey).
- Looks nice and the snakes seem happy
- Easy to spot clean
- Bag vs. brick form. Not having to spend 30+ minutes of my life expanding a brick or storing a ton of extra is 👍

Cons:
- Minor, but it does get in the water dish fairly easily
- More expensive than other substrates at $20/bag on Amazon. A small amount does go a pretty long way, but it's also easy to put too much in without realizing, probably because of the consistency.

Unforseen Complication:
I have no idea where Memphis is, other than somewhere in her tank. 🤣 To say she enjoys burrowing in this stuff is an understatement. I know Dumeril's like to burrow, and she occasionally did while on Reptichip/cypress mulch, but not like this. There is nary even her head to be seen. Makes cage maintenance, feeding, etc. a bit more exciting lol (although she does usually pop her head up at feeding time).

[MR Snakes]

!!!

Why didn't I try this stuff sooner?

Now that we have officially been mite-free for more than a month (knock on wood), I decided to give most everyone their substrate back. I decided to try Reptile Prime since I've basically tried everything else on the market (Reptichip, aspen for the corn, paper towels, cypress mulch, ReptiBark...) I'm not a fan of EcoEarth from previous experiences, which is why I held out on Reptile Prime for so long. But IMO it's sooo much better than EcoEarth!

Pros:
- Retains humidity like a boss, and it's MUCH easier to control the initial level of humidity than, say, Reptichip. Watching this stuff absorb water was like magic. I poured quite a bit in but the substrate barely felt wet.
- Virtually dust-free. I had some debris on my fingers, but barely any, even when I was mixing water in with my hand. Like I said, magic!
- A little goes a long way, which helps mitigate one of the cons (it's a bit pricey).
- Looks nice and the snakes seem happy
- Easy to spot clean
- Bag vs. brick form. Not having to spend 30+ minutes of my life expanding a brick or storing a ton of extra is 👍

Cons:
- Minor, but it does get in the water dish fairly easily
- More expensive than other substrates at $20/bag on Amazon. A small amount does go a pretty long way, but it's also easy to put too much in without realizing, probably because of the consistency.

Unforseen Complication:
I have no idea where Memphis is, other than somewhere in her tank. 🤣 To say she enjoys burrowing in this stuff is an understatement. I know Dumeril's like to burrow, and she occasionally did while on Reptichip/cypress mulch, but not like this. There is nary even her head to be seen. Makes cage maintenance, feeding, etc. a bit more exciting lol (although she does usually pop her head up at feeding time).

That is funny. I've had this substrate on the top of my list for awhile.

[Godzilla78]

Thanks for the comprehensive review. You’ve about sold me to switch from eco earth.

[MR Snakes]

Did talk with Lori at BHB and said they would do a quantity discount but had to ask Brian. Have not heard back.

[pretends2bnormal]

I gave reptile prime a try after being unimpressed with eco earth for the reasons stated above and seriously underwhelmed by reptichip (it did NOT hold humidity for me at all.. worse than aspen, even after soaking it) and the reptile prime is AWESOME.

Definitely a bit pricey, but it also does such a good job absorbing pee that there is actually less you have to scoop out compared to eco earth. Means it spot cleans easier and less needs to be topped up between major cleanings.

If you've never tried it, it is definitely worth a try at some point, even if you don't think you'll switch. And if anyone who uses paper has humidity issues in winter. Tossing some in on top of the paper gives a similar sort of moisture retaining addition as moss. (And even holds the water better/longer than the sphagnum moss I've used)

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[MR Snakes]

Nice video on here.

https://reptileprime.com/

[Dianne]

After your review and watching the video, I’m going to try this for boosting the humidity in my cages. I won’t be replacing my substrate, but creating a modified humid hide with it...essentially open tubs with a well soaked layer of this. I’ll let you know how it works.

[Shayne]

Yep, this is what I initially started with when I set everything up about 6 weeks ago. Love this stuff! It's done very well with holding humidity in my "glass box" once I struggled through all the "n00b" obstacles.

[WhompingWillow]

I gave reptile prime a try after being unimpressed with eco earth for the reasons stated above and seriously underwhelmed by reptichip (it did NOT hold humidity for me at all.. worse than aspen, even after soaking it) and the reptile prime is AWESOME.

Definitely a bit pricey, but it also does such a good job absorbing pee that there is actually less you have to scoop out compared to eco earth. Means it spot cleans easier and less needs to be topped up between major cleanings.

If you've never tried it, it is definitely worth a try at some point, even if you don't think you'll switch. And if anyone who uses paper has humidity issues in winter. Tossing some in on top of the paper gives a similar sort of moisture retaining addition as moss. (And even holds the water better/longer than the sphagnum moss I've used)

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I like the suggestion about using it on top of paper substrate. I honestly don't mind paper towels apart from the humidity challenges and needing to fully change them out when soiled.

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[WhompingWillow]

After your review and watching the video, I’m going to try this for boosting the humidity in my cages. I won’t be replacing my substrate, but creating a modified humid hide with it...essentially open tubs with a well soaked layer of this. I’ll let you know how it works.

Pleas do! I don't use humid hides but I imagine this would work well for it.

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