Repti-Zorb Questions

[Juicebøx]

I see that there is an OLD post about Repti-Zorb liners, and someone asked a "follow up" question in that thread (they asked back in February)... but since that question didn't get a response, I figured I would ask my questions in a new thread and see if anyone can answer them.

The product I am looking at is called Repti-Zorb tub liners, specifically for the Freedom Breeder tubs. I want to use something similar to these liners because the tubs with cup holders may end up being a pain in the rear to use normal paper in. I know that I can just cut a space for the cup holder myself... but if I can find something that is pre-made, even better. From the thread that I read about them back in 2011-2012, the member posting about them said that they are much better at holding spills than normal paper (because it is made of cloth).

Here are my questions (since the only substrate I have used to-date is aspen).

1. How often do you have to change out paper in the tubs? By paper, I am referring to something like news paper or paper towels... and my assumption is weekly, at minimum... correct? I would think that paper would need to be changed almost immediately after the snake defecates. Since I will be using the FB-xxC tubs (10 / 40 / 70), water spills won't be an issue.

2. Assuming that news paper needs to be changed every week, would these Repti-Zorb sheets be the same, or are they able to last longer? My collection is pretty small at this point (7 snakes), but my intention is to ramp that up VERY quickly this year. I will have 3 females that will definitely be ready to go, and one that I'm trying to get up to size, if I can... so by this time next year, I could have as many as 20 snakes. With 7 snakes being cleaned weekly, the annual cost for these could be as much as $220/year. Making the jump to 20 snakes could make that skyrocket up to $620/year if these mats need to be changed on a weekly basis. While I have no idea exactly what I'm spending on substrate annually, I can't imagine spending upwards of $600-700... not yet anyway.

3. While I will be using Freedom Breeder tubs, I don't have a FB rack. I'm going to build a melamine rack to hold the tubs, so do you think that humidity will be an issue? I don't want to spend a huge amount of money, only to find out that these mats are terrible at maintaining humidity, and having to switch back to something else. I may get a small order from them and try it out... but I'd rather hear from anyone who has used these extensively in the past.

[Eric Alan]

I've used these liners for my entire collection for several years and definitely recommend them to anyone looking to go this route. They aren't for everyone, but they are great for me.

1. How often do you have to change out paper in the tubs? By paper, I am referring to something like news paper or paper towels... and my assumption is weekly, at minimum... correct? I would think that paper would need to be changed almost immediately after the snake defecates. Since I will be using the FB-xxC tubs (10 / 40 / 70), water spills won't be an issue.

I change them as often as they urinate/defecate, which depends on the snake. When I do this, I also do a quick tub wipe down and sanitation with F10 at the same time.

2. Assuming that news paper needs to be changed every week, would these Repti-Zorb sheets be the same, or are they able to last longer? My collection is pretty small at this point (7 snakes), but my intention is to ramp that up VERY quickly this year. I will have 3 females that will definitely be ready to go, and one that I'm trying to get up to size, if I can... so by this time next year, I could have as many as 20 snakes. With 7 snakes being cleaned weekly, the annual cost for these could be as much as $220/year. Making the jump to 20 snakes could make that skyrocket up to $620/year if these mats need to be changed on a weekly basis. While I have no idea exactly what I'm spending on substrate annually, I can't imagine spending upwards of $600-700... not yet anyway.

I haven't used newspaper, so I can't make a direct comparison. I would have to assume that they're considerably more absorbent than paper, and can take quite a bit of urine before they become saturated, but I can't say for sure how much more. For costs, I took the hit initially and bought the sizes I needed in the largest quantities available to save in the long term. I placed my last order very early in 2016 and don't expect to have to order again for several more months. Not including hatchlings, I have 30-40 animals in my collection.

3. While I will be using Freedom Breeder tubs, I don't have a FB rack. I'm going to build a melamine rack to hold the tubs, so do you think that humidity will be an issue? I don't want to spend a huge amount of money, only to find out that these mats are terrible at maintaining humidity, and having to switch back to something else. I may get a small order from them and try it out... but I'd rather hear from anyone who has used these extensively in the past.

The liners themselves don't do a thing for humidity, IMO. I use a humidifier in my snake room to compensate for this, but I live AZ where lack of humidity comes with the territory. My suggestion is to think about other ways to help in the humidity department if you go this route, since newspaper, paper towls, liners, etc won't be doing you any favors like other substrates will.

[Albert Clark]

Uhaul sells unprinted newspaper by the box. 9.95 for 200 sheets. When you think about how much you are going to save in the cost department it's a consideration. The unprinted paper actually looks pretty neat too.

[voodoolamb]

What are the reptizorb liners made of? And how thick are they?

I've actually made my own reusable tub liners with zorb fabric. So far they've been working great. Just curious if the reptizorb are made of the same stuff...

[Juicebøx]

I wonder what the fabric is made of... and if it would be possible to find it in a bulk roll, that we could then cut our own sheets from. It wouldn't be as nice as having them custom cut for the size of the tubs... but if it was significantly cheaper, I wouldn't have an issue cutting them myself.

Does anyone know what this fabric is... and where we might begin looking for it in bulk rolls?

[bcr229]

Huh, looks like you can buy the stuff by the yard on Amazon. Do you have problems with it bunching up? Or does it tend to stay put in the tub?

One concern of using fabrics in a tub or enclosure is that the snake might eat it. I use old towels as hides for my adult Dumerils boas - they love to get under them - but I always remove the towel at feeding time.

[voodoolamb]

I bought several yards of the anti microbial zorb fabric by wazoodle. The fabric is insanely popular amongst the crafty people who make cloth diapers and reusable feminine products. It is a suuuuper absorbent fabric.

It has the weight and feel of reptile carpet. Better odor control than paper towels or newspaper. Way less messy than any particle bedding.

I was able to get three 41 qt tub liners plus enough scrap for a couple hatchling tubs per yard. I made double what I needed so once a week I swap them out. Less than a minute per tub to pull the dirty one, spray with disinfectant, wipe the tub out and put the new one in. I just toss the dirty ones in the laundry with the other pets stuff, dog beds and rat hammocks and what not. I use a hypoallergenic non scented detergent for that load on the sanitize cycle and do an extra rinse. Every so often I spray them with down with chlorhexidine before they go in the wash.

Been doing it for a few months now. The liners are holding up great I could easily see them lasting a year or so. The snakes are content. The fabric absorbs the urates well. I feel better that they aren't swallowing particles when they eat. And cleaning is such a breeze.

No problems with humidity, buy I do prefer over sized bowls (big enough for the snakes to soak in).

I'm not home right now but I can get pics later if anyone is interested.

[Juicebøx]

I'm not home right now but I can get pics later if anyone is interested.

Pics would be AWESOME! I am buying Freedom Breeder tubs with the built-in cup holder, so if I can buy bulk fabric, and pre-cut the liners instead of paying by the sheet... that would be great.

I will start googling, but can you post a link to what you bought.

[bcr229]

I would also appreciate pics. My ball pythons are ok on paper but my king snakes all tend to turn it into paper mache after two days.

[voodoolamb]

Here's what I'm using with my grumpy lesser modeling:



As you can see I cut it a bit wider than the tub so it would curl up the sides to keep waste off the walls and from getting under the rug

It's about an 1/8th of an inch thick. Feels like a heavy felt. Keeps its shape pretty well. A lot like reptile carpet except more absorbent and is antimicrobial (silver ions).

It's called Zorb fabric by the wazoodle company. The one I picked up is the first generation fabric. Comes in black or white

http://www.wazoodle.com/fabrics/zorb...rb-silver.html