UK Carefresh substitute

[Mix]

After looking in to where I could get my hands on some Carefresh, I stumbled across a similar product, which is primarily marketed for horse stables, but is suitable as small pet bedding also.
It's called Megazorb, and sounds pretty much exactly the same as Carefresh - the difference being that it comes in a larger bag and seems to be cheaper. It was also being sold on non-equine pet supply sites, which said it was great, with no dust.

My local Pets at Home store charges £5 for a 1 kilo bag of Carefresh, and you can get a 15 kilo bag of Megazorb for £12 delivered on Amazon, if there's no local stockist. Stockists seem to be charging £6-7 per bag!

There is a stockist near to me, so I will probably be checking it out - I was going to be picking up the Carefresh tomorrow anyway. I just hope I have space at home to store it! :o Might be good for those with multiple tanks to fill? Or maybe to split if two of you live near to each other?

Here is the link on Amazon:
Megazorb Animal Bedding 85 Litres: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Megazorb-Animal-Bedding-85-Litres/dp/B003L79596)

And a close up photo of the stuff:
http://www.megazorb.co.uk/shop/images/Megazorb3.jpg

I will post on my opinion of it. :p

[guidofatherof5]

What is the material made of ?

[Mix]

Exactly the same description as carefresh - virgin wood pulp, the by-product of paper-making. Both manufacturers state this.
On a side note, they say that if not used, it usually goes into landfill - so it's a bit eco, too. :)

[gregmonsta]

I'm planning to give this a go soon ECOBED CARDBOARD BEDDING (22 KG) (http://www.gjwtitmuss.co.uk/horse-bedding/pid3562/cid358/ecobed-cardboard-bedding-20-kg.asp?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping) ..... supercheap ;)

[Mix]

Well, I re-did Lily's tank yesterday with the Megazorb, and she loves it - spent the ENTIRE day today burrowed under it. To the point where we got a little worried she must have escaped! :)
Seems good so far, looks a bit like big porridge oats or something similar. Smaller pieces than Carefresh, but it's obviously bigger than the coco-earth stuff I usually use. Filling the tank has hardly put a dent in the bag :D

[guidofatherof5]

big porridge oats?

Never heard of those. Must be local fair. Sounds good;)

[Mix]

It looks oaty from further away, but close up you can see the 'fibrous-ness' :D

The bits are smaller and a bit rounder than carefresh...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs884.ash1/179238_489446601471_725941471_6592143_2088256_n.jp g

[guidofatherof5]

You're right, looks like oats.;)

[gregmonsta]

How does it compare on smell?

[PINJOHN]

I'm planning to give this a go soon ECOBED CARDBOARD BEDDING (22 KG) (http://www.gjwtitmuss.co.uk/horse-bedding/pid3562/cid358/ecobed-cardboard-bedding-20-kg.asp?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping) ..... supercheap ;)

let me know how that goes greg, i will sit here on the sidelines waiting for the result of trials :D

[Mix]

The stuff itself smelled a little strange when putting it in (I have never smelled carefresh though). I suppose a kind of sharp but woody smell. However, I just leaned over the tank and took a good sniff while putting her food in, and I can't smell a thing; not bedding nor poopy smells. Good so far!
Compared the the coco-soil stuff, it seems to absorb odour better. The real test will be after she's eaten and poops more. ;)

[gregmonsta]

Sounds quite good ;). Carefresh can have the occaisional batch that is really overly dry and has a strong 'cooked wood' smell (which can be quite strong considering I'll use most of a 60L bag spread through the enclosures).

[gregmonsta]

let me know how that goes greg, i will sit here on the sidelines waiting for the result of trials :D

Will do ;)

[mustang]

all substrate smells funny but carefresh is the only one that you wont be able to get used to...it will always smell wierd. :P

[Mix]

I have no complaints so far ;) I have the rest of the bag sitting in my living room, waiting for a place to live, and I can't smell it.

[ConcinusMan]

I am on a budget this time around and I really need to change out the natural substrate I've been using so I got this online for $15. 60 liters of carefresh. Not a bad deal.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31zNqcYLhqL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[kibakiba]

Carefresh works wonders for me. I spent 20 dollars on a fairly large bag about 3 months ago and still have half.