RE: Another substrate question.

[Taxiballbreeder]

Hi, Just a quick question on substrate. I currently use chipped aspen bedding

and did like it up till now, the problem I am having is getting humidity right. I

have thought about alternitives to the aspen and have researched alot about

substrate. I came up with the the conclusion that cypress mulch may be my

new bedding of choice for it's good humidity properties. For the ones that use it

does it work well for humidity and second is it compariable in price to the aspen.

My next question is where do you buy it, so you make sure it is completely bug

free and safe for your snakes. I have seen it at a local landscape shop and I

think the cypress I am seeing here is fine (the stuff without the dyes). Just

asking if someone knows where to buy it in bag form. I only see it in bulk,

Outside the landscaping area. Which I would not buy due to it being outside and

in the weather and bug area. Any help where you buy this. And is it worth

switching to it. Just have to mist the racks alot during this dry winter. And with

a oil filled heater running in the room all the time it makes it quite dry in the

snake room. I have used a humidifier in the room this winter and I really have

not noticed a severe affect on the humidity in the racks. Just some thoughts.

Any Ideas would help alot. Thanks

[The Serpent Merchant]

You can buy it at pet stores, you shouldn't have any bug issues from bags purchased there. I'm not a huge fan of cypress, but there is nothing wrong with it. it will defiantly help with humidity but if you are using a UTH as a heat source you might have issues (it doesn't transfer heat very well, but this can be dealt with)

[Taxiballbreeder]

You can buy it at pet stores, you shouldn't have any bug issues from bags purchased there. I'm not a huge fan of cypress, but there is nothing wrong with it. it will defiantly help with humidity but if you are using a UTH as a heat source you might have issues (it doesn't transfer heat very well, but this can be dealt with)

So it drops temps at the surface of the substrate, Right. Just wanted to understand you better. Due to it being more dence than aspen, Correct. And was looking for a bulk type place to buy. Just that I have several racks. And can you tell me what you don't like about cypress. I just am weighing out my options.

[The Serpent Merchant]

yes, it drops the temps because heat doesn't transfer through it as well.

I understand looking for it in bulk, unfortunately I can't help you there. I know my local reptile shop has some 6 cubic foot bags of it but I'm not sure where to get them other than that.

I don't like it because it is messy and honestly a hassle to deal with in my opinion. I am currently using corrugated wrap in my cages and I love it but corrugated wrap doesn't do much for humidity. (My cages stay around 60% all the time without misting so a substrate that holds in humidity is out of the question for me as it would send my humidity through the roof)

My biggest fear with cypress is that it may require you to bump your heat tape up enough that the bottom of your tubs are too hot to get the surface temp right. messing with the thickness of the layer of cypress would be your best bet if you have this issue.