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  1. #1
    "Fourth shed, A Success" thamneil's Avatar
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    What is the "perfect" substrate?

    Hey guys. So doing some feedings today, I reflected on my substrates and realized that I don't really like either of them. Aspen always sticks to food items and the bark is pretty dusty when stirred up.What are your preffered substrates? It would be nice to find a perfect substrate but unfortunately this will never happen!
    Neil
    The Thamnophis Aficionado

  2. #2
    Pyrondenium Rose kibakiba's Avatar
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    Re: What is the "perfect" substrate?

    You're going t o get a wide range of answers. I prefer carefresh over anything else. I want to try coco husk, but it's too expensive for now.
    Chantel
    2.2.3 Thamnophis ordinoides Derpy Scales, Hades, Mama, Runt, Pumpkin, Azul, Spots
    (Rest in peace Snakey, Snap, Speckles, Silver, Ember and Angel.)

  3. #3
    "Fourth shed, A Success" thamneil's Avatar
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    Re: What is the "perfect" substrate?

    Oh I know! Everyone has a preference. You don't find the carefrest to be dusty? I have used carefresh ultra and wasn't impressed.
    Neil
    The Thamnophis Aficionado

  4. #4
    Pyrondenium Rose kibakiba's Avatar
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    Re: What is the "perfect" substrate?

    I only have dust at the bottom of the bag. I use it for my frogs too, they get the stuff at the bottom of the bag, since I keep them slightly moist. Their tank s half dirt (planted enclosure) and half carefresh, where they like to spend their time away from the plants.
    Chantel
    2.2.3 Thamnophis ordinoides Derpy Scales, Hades, Mama, Runt, Pumpkin, Azul, Spots
    (Rest in peace Snakey, Snap, Speckles, Silver, Ember and Angel.)

  5. #5
    "PM Boots For Custom Title" d_virginiana's Avatar
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    Re: What is the "perfect" substrate?

    I normally use carefresh, but I found a giant bag of aspen on sale today, so I'm going to be checking that one out next time I change their bedding. Normally it's not dusty.

    I really hate coco husk. I normally use coco-fiber for my frog, and accidentally picked up coco husk once. I don't like all the little strings that it has on it. It was kind of like reptibark but with long strands that would come off and stick to food.
    Lora

    3.0 T. sirtalis sirtalis, 1.1 T. cyrtopsis ocellatus, 1.0 L. caerulea, 0.1 C. cranwelli, 0.1 T. carolina, 0.1 P. regius, 0.1 G. rosea, 0.0.1 B. smithi, 0.1 H. carolinensis

  6. #6
    Smells Like Teen Spirit Invisible Snake's Avatar
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    Re: What is the "perfect" substrate?

    Most substrates stick to the food which is why I recommend you feed your garters in a separate substrate-free enclosure. I am currently using aspen shavings but it doesn't hold humidity well so I'm going to switch over to cypress mulch and give that a try.

  7. #7
    Thamtographer katach's Avatar
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    Re: What is the "perfect" substrate?

    We like a mix of reptibark and a high quality aspen shaving. We stopped buying our aspen from walmart and are buying at our local feed store. $6.99 for compressed 2500 cu in. bag. It's bigger shavings and little to no dust. It looks great and works very well with the reptibark mixed in.
    Kat
    2.2 T.s.pickeringii, 0.4.7 T.ordinoides 1.1 T.marcianus 1.1 T. radix 1.0 T.s.parietalis 1.2 Pseudacris regilla

  8. #8
    "First shed In Progress" NickB's Avatar
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    Re: What is the "perfect" substrate?

    Soil is my favourite substrate especially in faunariums and rubs. I haven't used it in vivariums as of yet.

  9. #9
    "PM Boots For Custom Title" Light of Dae's Avatar
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    Re: What is the "perfect" substrate?

    I love Coco husk. I've tried alot of different substrates and found it the best, you can mist it and it will not mold or get .. gross, You can wash it, It dries out. It is awesome for controlling the humidity. If you don't like the strings they are very easy to pick out, I fed on coco husk and didn't have any problem with it sticking to food that got drug along it. (I'd still always watch for it though.)
    3.2 T.Marcianus, 1.2 T.Sirtalis, 1.0 Zacapu, 1.0 T.Radix
    0.1 Banana Cali King Snake
    0.1 BoxerXRottie Mutt




  10. #10
    I have a condition! RedSidedSPR's Avatar
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    Re: What is the "perfect" substrate?

    I'm about to switch to coco husk or whatever thē hell it called cuz if I'm not mistaken it can be swallowed safely. And it still looks cool.

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