Astroturf

[HomeGrownHerpsDLT]

I use astroturf but i am finding out through this great site that it isnt the greatest should i consider switchting substrate ? and what do others use

 

[ratsncorns]

You will find that most people on this forum use aspen or paper towels as bedding. Both are easy to find, and cheap! I use aspen and I like how my snakes can burrow in it (so it acts as another hide), and when they poo it tends to clump a little bit, making cleaning easy.

 

[funnynonsense]

I just stared using astroturf myself -
I think its easy, less messy and its easy to find where the snakes have done their business.

For me its perfect - the only downside is that the snake cant burrow into it.

I like the astroturf.

 

[Corny Noob]

I like the aspen for the security (of the snake) issues as well as the cleaning ones.
If I don't get to it right away I feel like it's just going to stain up the turf, and then you should really have more than one so while you're thouroughly cleaning the stained one you have smething to put back in.
Seems like too much of a hassle to me, where as the aspen kinda clumps like kitty litter, makes it easier to get out and spot clean without accidentally grinding the feces int something.

 

[TWGarland]

Astro turf is usually considered to be less healthy due to the probability of mould build up, apparentll that happens very easily. Also it tends to start to smell after a while, and finally your corn can't use its full range of behaviours, and usually for captive animals that isn't great, especially if its only out of owner preference. But thats just my opinion.

 

[MerlinsPop]

My vet strongly encouraged me to switched to turf/carpet. Haven't done it. But when I had a brown snake I used two that I rotated as needed. A little scrubbing and it was clean. Sometimes it did stain just a bit, but a stain is just that... a stain. There is nothing left behind. NEVER had a bit of mold, ever. I haven't switched because I like the ability to burrow that aspen gives. Although with enough hides and tubes and things to climb in/around/under the snake's sense of security will probably not be affected. but since I use sterilite for 5 of my 6 snakes, I imagine that getting a perfect fit for a reptile rug would be tough.

 

[TWGarland]

My opinions were based on personal experience and i have had problems with mould. One decent spill of the water bowl and you may find it very difficult to get out, even if it looks clean. Besides with aspen you can spot clean rather than removing the turf and washing it and you definately have a completly fresh start if you replace all your aspen,

Also Vets contradict themselves, it must still be from personal opinion for them too, mine has previously advised that i steered clear from using turf :shrugs:

I'd say if you like it use it, but i bet your snake if it could tell ya would ask for the aspen lols

 

[MerlinsPop]

My opinions were based on personal experience and i have had problems with mould. One decent spill of the water bowl and you may find it very difficult to get out, even if it looks clean. Besides with aspen you can spot clean rather than removing the turf and washing it and you definately have a completly fresh start if you replace all your aspen,

Also Vets contradict themselves, it must still be from personal opinion for them too, mine has previously advised that i steered clear from using turf :shrugs:

I'd say if you like it use it, but i bet your snake if it could tell ya would ask for the aspen lols

Maybe I had a different brand, and it was more like carpet. Worked great. Still won't (probably) be switching. Just like Aspen too much.

Will be changing Butter back to aspen from paper towels soon. Trying to decide how I want to do it. Maybe just scatter some around to get him used to the smell/texture of it and as long as he doesn't display a noticable change start adding more and more.

 

[v_various]

My opinions were based on personal experience and i have had problems with mould. One decent spill of the water bowl and you may find it very difficult to get out, even if it looks clean. Besides with aspen you can spot clean rather than removing the turf and washing it and you definately have a completly fresh start if you replace all your aspen,

Also Vets contradict themselves, it must still be from personal opinion for them too, mine has previously advised that i steered clear from using turf :shrugs:

I'd say if you like it use it, but i bet your snake if it could tell ya would ask for the aspen lols

woah, how fast does mold grow in you're house?! If you check the water every day (or even ever second day) it shouldn't be a problem. I've never had mold grow on any damp surface that quickly, be it wet shoes or a forgotten glass of water. Also a good, heavy bowl with a good base should prevent spills I would think, neither of my guys have ever had a spill (I might just have dainty snakes though).

I think there is just more than one way of doing things, and people tend to preach what works for them, that's why you get conflicting advice. I think aspen and astro turf both work, the evidence is in the comments I've read here from people who use them and have no problems. I've never heard of a snake being harmed or stressed by either, for an example a snake that was regurging but stopped when the substrate was changed. Though it's not recommended to feed in viv if you have aspen, as impaction's a worry.

That being said, there was a poll a while ago and aspen was the most popular substrate by far. I've never tried turf, so of course I'm for aspen since it works so well for me.

 

[TWGarland]

woah, how fast does mold grow in you're house?! If you check the water every day (or even ever second day) it shouldn't be a problem. I've never had mold grow on any damp surface that quickly, be it wet shoes or a forgotten glass of water. Also a good, heavy bowl with a good base should prevent spills I would think, neither of my guys have ever had a spill (I might just have dainty snakes though).

I think there is just more than one way of doing things, and people tend to preach what works for them, that's why you get conflicting advice. I think aspen and astro turf both work, the evidence is in the comments I've read here from people who use them and have no problems. I've never heard of a snake being harmed or stressed by either, for an example a snake that was regurging but stopped when the substrate was changed. Though it's not recommended to feed in viv if you have aspen, as impaction's a worry.

That being said, there was a poll a while ago and aspen was the most popular substrate by far. I've never tried turf, so of course I'm for aspen since it works so well for me.

Mmm, the mould grew on the turf, which i changed once a month (when i used it), like i do with aspen now,

so unless your recommending that people change their turf everytime a water bowl gets turned over or spilled then i don't really see your point. and yes bowls don't get turned over that often but it does happen

And i personally wasn't arguing that it shouldn't be used by others, just explaining the reasons i wouldn't use it again

 

[MerlinsPop]

Mmm, the mould grew on the turf, which i changed once a month (when i used it), like i do with aspen now,

so unless your recommending that people change their turf everytime a water bowl gets turned over or spilled then i don't really see your point. and yes bowls don't get turned over that often but it does happen

And i personally wasn't arguing that it shouldn't be used by others, just explaining the reasons i wouldn't use it again

You sure the mold wasn't growing on the poop itself and not the turf? I'll get moldy poop if I don't scrap/scoop it out pretty quickly.

Agree... there's more than one 'right' way to do nearly anything. Sometimes folks get carried away with stressing that their way (or the 'group way') is the only way. And that is NOT contradictory to what I just posted elsewhere about co-habbing. All I meant to say there was it adds risks and if you don't at least acknowledge and try to mitigate those risks, you're kidding yourself.

 

[funnynonsense]

I think if you keep two pieces of turf and change between them when the snake does its business, or water spills on it it shouldn't be a problem.

maybe - health wise it might be better considering that theres less dust and you can be almost 100 percent sure that its clean.

When I get my next snake around March I'll see if I get some aspen to see what the fuss is about - who knows I might convert.lol

 

[v_various]

Mmm, the mould grew on the turf, which i changed once a month (when i used it), like i do with aspen now,

so unless your recommending that people change their turf everytime a water bowl gets turned over or spilled then i don't really see your point. and yes bowls don't get turned over that often but it does happen

And i personally wasn't arguing that it shouldn't be used by others, just explaining the reasons i wouldn't use it again

I'd recommend using a paper towel, sponge, or cloth to wipe up spilled water instead of letting it sit there to mold, and changing it or cleaning poop when needed. It could be part of the water changing routine, take out bowl, refill, wipe down excess water from bowl, wipe spilled water in viv. Just one extra step anyway, not too much fuss.