Impactions with reptichip?

[highqualityballz]

I normally use unprinted paper but it takes way too much time as i cant spot clean with it, but like how it eliminates any chance of impactions and mold. Im thinking about trying out reptichip, has anyone had any problems with this substrate at all? Im especially nervous about feeding wet f/t rats on it, but i think i need a change of substrate.Thanks

[zina10]

I've been using substrates ever since I've had snakes. I've used aspen, coco dirt, coco chips (reptichip) and a combination thereof.

Never had a problem. And I feed FT, so the rats are slightly wet. With the coco "earth/dirt" I had most of substrate "sticking" the the rat, but they most of it fell off while they ate and they always got the rest out of their mouth.

With Aspen and the Coco mixes, the pieces don't seem to stick to the rat much, the ones that do fall off as the snake works the rat into the mouth. There were 2 instances in 6 years of aspen where I noticed a piece stuck out of the mouth. I removed it, but they most likely would have gotten it out themselves. It wasn't "stuck" like a splinter, it got soft from the saliva, it was just stuck between teeth and lip.

With Reptichip I noticed the same thing once, but the snake got it out before I got to it.

I suppose if small pieces make it inside of the snake, its not big deal. They have powerful digestive juices that make short order of a pile of bones, so a small piece of soft substrate won't hurt.

The wood mulches always made me nervous because of the "splintery" looking pieces, but people have used those for years and years without problems, too !!

I'd say, try it out in one cage only for a couple of months, through some feedings and cleanings, and see how you like it

[Craiga 01453]

I've yet to have any problems with any of the substrates I've tried. I use repti-chips for my BP and adult king and have no issues so far. I use aspen for my juvenile corns and once saw a small piece in Otis's mouth so I pulled it out, but I'm sure I was just being over cautious, it didn't appear stuck and he probably would have spit it out on his own. Just to be safe now, I put a paper towel over the feeding area and they eat on that, so far has worked really well. Since you're feeding F/T rats, you made need a few paper towels.

Spot cleaning is quick and easy as well. Also, have never had any mold issues.

[cchardwick]

I've used paper towels, newspaper, aspen, and Reptichip. Now that I've tried Repitchip I won't go back to anything else. Paper towels and newspaper is a lot of work, and you can smell the stench of poo every time a snake makes a mess. I actually think it was the worst substrate in my opinion, you are always chasing the dirty tubs, not bad if you have a lot of time on your hands. I've had a bad experience with Aspen getting into the mouths of my snakes during feeding, never had a problem with Reptichip. The best thing I like about Repitchip is that it absorbs odors better than anything I've ever seen, maybe as well as activated carbon. I also like that it can absorb a huge amount of water and slowly release it. It's not cheap, but it lasts a long time, I change my Repitchip out every two months and most of it is still so good I use it to top off my potted plants to keep them from drying out so fast, and I also dry out the used Repitchip and mix it in with my shredded paper for my rodent bedding.

By the way, I figured out a way to decompress a block of Reptichip really easy. Don't follow the instructions on the block that say to spray it down and wait, that won't work. You have to totally submerge the block in water for 25 seconds, turn it over and submerge again for 25 seconds, the lift it out of the water and let it drain for 15 seconds, then put it in a large plastic tote and it just falls apart. Timing is critical, if you soak for 20 seconds per side the middle is still dry and tough. If you soak for 30 seconds per side it falls apart on you before you can get it out of the water. Right at the end before you pull it out and let it drain you can see it expand like crazy, have to really keep an eye on it. I like to start a timer and count seconds for about 20 or so, that way I can count in my head without the timer since you have to use both hands (or get a friend to help you). Total time from start to end is about two minutes, the last minute or so is mixing it up real good. Spraying it and trying to peel it apart by hand is difficult and frustrating, if you do it that way you'll be picking at it for half an hour. If you want to do just a few tubs or tanks you could expand the whole block, break it apart and then spread it out to dry. Once it's dry you can store it dried in a tote or plastic bag. Then just wet it before use.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I have been keeping and breeding BP for 11 years now, I have used aspen, sanichip, cypress mulch, and now coco coir chips (since October 2016) and have done so with hatchling and adult without any issue.

Can something happen? Well nothing is ever risk free I guess however keep in mind that BP are designed to digest fur, bones, and nails so a little substrate will be no issue.

In their natural environment there are probably all kind of debris sticking to the prey when ingested, and they are still around.

[ShaneSilva]

I use pro coco (basically the same as reptichip) and it's my preferred substrate. I've used eco earth and like it but I prefer the coco chips better. I feed my snakes f/t and the only issue I ever had was when my retic missed his rat and got a mouthful of eco earth. I watched him for about 10 minutes and he wasn't able to get it out because it started to clump up in his mouth. I didn't want him to damage his head from rubbing so hard trying to clear his mouth so I got a q tip and had no problem getting it out for him. If I remember right eco earth claims the product is digestible on the bag. Coco chips also do a great job absorbing smell and holding humidity. I keep a Rubbermaid tote full of pro coco to make spot cleaning very easy. Scoop out soiled substrate and replace

[cchardwick]

Keep in mind that snakes can actually dissolve bones which is amazing to me! Probably won't have an issue digesting a little coconut husk.

When shopping around for coconut substrate always look at the final expanded volumes when comparing prices. One of the reasons I went with Repitchip is that it expands so much. Just three expanded blocks will fill a 55 gallon drum! I have yet to find any coconut husk that is cheaper let alone a high quality coconut at that volume for that price (at current prices it's about 34 cents per quart delivered to your door from ebay). If you can pick it up at a reptile show you can cut down on the shipping costs and it's much cheaper.

[ShaneSilva]

I have yet to find any coconut husk that is cheaper let alone a high quality coconut at that volume for that price (at current prices it's about 34 cents per quart delivered to your door from ebay). If you can pick it up at a reptile show you can cut down on the shipping charge and it's much cheaper.

Not downing reptichip as I like the product. But I get a 10 pound block of pro coco for $16-18 locally that expands to 18 gallons(72 quarts) which works out to about 22-24 cents per quart. Saves you a little money for essentially the same product. I haven't looked too much online to see if you can get it shipped for cheaper but I checked a few places and it was about the same price. Like cchardwick said reptile shows are a good place to find bargains. Just look around as some people actually sell them for more there

[cchardwick]

I looked up that Prococo at Prococo.com, looks similar to Reptichip. Also looks like they don't sell it here in Colorado, and it's five bucks more per block on ebay. I also see they sell small pallets online, that may be the way to go.

[ShaneSilva]

Wow $30 on eBay is a little much. For that price I'd use reptichip instead as well. They are the same price on Amazon though you would need to buy two bricks to get free shipping. I guess it just depends what's available cheaper in your area