Combining Substrate?

[DdotSpot]

Well...here's the situation, I'm cleaning the viv and have some Repti-bark left in the bag, but not enough to completely fill the bottom of the viv. I bought some aspen and am going to try that out, would there be any problem in mixing the two?

It doesn't seem like there would be any problem, but :shrugs: its always good to check.

Much appreciated.

 

[Jynx]

Shouldn't be a problem at all. To make it look better, you might want to put the repti bark on the bottom and the aspen on top though.

 

[noelsmum]

Sometimes it's a really good idea...

I'm currently "snake-sitting" for an adult male with a mind of his own. His idea of a good time is spilling his water, so I put some of the crushed walnut desert substrate under his aspen. When he spilled, i could scoop it out like kitty litter. Now he just has a very heavy bowl. :laugh:

 

[Spirit]

Aspen molds when wet/damp, and reptibark is great for staying damp and holding humidity. If you're going to mix them, make sure the bark is DRY before hand. If it's dry, it should be okay... but watch the aspen carefully for signs of mold or "dampness".

 

[newt]

I guess I used to use repti bark, but now I just use Aspen. To get to the point I tried to mix repti bark with Aspen, like mixed very well. It look alright but not good enough, and when the repti bark got dry their was a risk of mold if I added water.

 

[Quigs]

Aspen molds when wet/damp

I don't agree. Maybe if you left it sit damp and/or wet for a week or better that would be the case.

I use aspen and I have NEVER had a problem with it molding! But I pay close attention to what goes on in my collection as well. If I notice a particular snake has knocked over a water bowl, I change the substrate as soon as possible.

Pertaining to the question at hand...

I don't see any reason why you couldn't mix the substrates. Either as mentioned above with the reptibark on the bottom and aspen on top, vice versa or all mixed together. Makes no difference at all. Both subsrates are corn snake friendly. I just prefer less of a dusty mess with aspen. Plus it's cheaper!

 

[jazzgeek]

During winter months, when the ambient air is very dry, I'll add ReptiBark to aspen; I just mix the two together. Reptibark holds humidity much better than aspen, as has been stated.

During warmer months, at least in these parts, there's enough moisture in the air to occasionally ground our state bird (the mosquito). I use just aspen then.

regards,
jazz

 

[Spirit]

I don't agree. Maybe if you left it sit damp and/or wet for a week or better that would be the case.

But if the reptibark is damp, would that not make the aspen damp as well? I've been told to never, EVER mist aspen...

Maybe I'm wrong when I say aspen molds when it gets damp or wet, but which is it? You disagreed when I said that it molds, but then agreed by saying if it might (or would?) if left for a week or more...

Edit: It was just explained to me that aspen does mold, and also HOW it molds. Now that I know, I'm going back to my original comment. So long as the reptibark isn't too damp, I think it would be fine to mix the two together.

 

[Joejr14]

But if the reptibark is damp, would that not make the aspen damp as well? I've been told to never, EVER mist aspen...

Maybe I'm wrong when I say aspen molds when it gets damp or wet, but which is it? You disagreed when I said that it molds, but then agreed by saying if it might (or would?) if left for a week or more...

Edit: It was just explained to me that aspen does mold, and also HOW it molds. Now that I know, I'm going back to my original comment. So long as the reptibark isn't too damp, I think it would be fine to mix the two together.

Who said you cant mist aspen? You can too, and that's been discussed here many times. There's nothing wrong with doing so as long as you dont go overboard with it.

And I used reptibark and aspen mixed for a long time and never had a problem.

 

[Jason B.]

messed up. edited

 

[Jason B.]

messed up, edited

 

[DdotSpot]

Lol...great thread, thanks guys. So which did we figure out is worse to get damp? Reptibark or Aspen? I do spray a bit of mist in there occasionally, just because its really dry here in the winter(and the heater is not helping).

But Cotton Ball is really onery, when she poos, I think she rubs up agains the glass, so all of her poos are stuck to the glass(makes it hard to spot clean). So I've had to change the cage twice already since I've gotten her mid January(which is not a problem). Consequently I've decided to switch to aspen(MUCH cheaper).

-Daniel

 

[JTGoff69]

I would say that Aspen is worse to get wet. It is extremely dry here in the winter when my heat is kicking, and my humidity only gets to be about 20%. I had a few really bad sheds and started misting the viv once a day during the blue phase until the sheds. It held on to the moisture, and right at the edge of the tank actually started turning black in spots. So now I only mist maybe 2 or 3 times during the whole phase and it's okay. I use a repti bark like product in my albino jungle's viv to show off her colors, and it holds the moisture well, but doesn't show any signs of molding. I actually prefer it to the aspen for that and the fact I like the look of it better. Only drawback is the cost compared to aspen. Just my $.02!

BTW DDot, if you spray some of your disinfectant on a paper towel and scrub the glass, you might be able to save yourself from changing all the substrate.

 

[DdotSpot]

BTW DDot, if you spray some of your disinfectant on a paper towel and scrub the glass, you might be able to save yourself from changing all the substrate.

Yeah...I've thought of that, but she kind of burrows down and then does her business against the glass...goofy girl. AND its always in the same spot - Right behind this decorative tree. I'd have to remove the tree and dig down a bit. I don't mind the changing of the substrate so much, but I just hope she doesn't!