Preferred bedding for display tanks?

[Shaky]

I am setting up a fairly large enclosure for display, and I wanted to use the crushed walnut bedding(forgot the name). After pricing it and comparing its weight, however, I think maybe something else would be better. This is solely a preferential thing, but can anyone either suggest a nice bedding or show some pics perhaps?
I've used various types before, but really haven't formed a preference.
(BTW-what is that crushed walnut called?)

 

[cj_corns789]

this cage is for corn snakes right? if so dont use that walnut stuff its very bad. it drys out the cage and air temp and is not for corn snakes. there are also many other reaosns why not to use it. i also have a diaply cage i use repitl bark it looks god to.

 

[h0mersimps0n]

reptibark makes a great display substrate IMO...

It can be dusty but I use it in my 6 display tanks with my corns, ball python and green tree. If you rinse it before using it (which you're suppose to do anyway if you read the bag), or even give it a heavy heavy HEAVY first spray down with your bottle it will be fine. It looks great, holds moisture AND smell... Easy to scoup out...

I'll see if I can post pics

 

[laura_loomis]

is reptibark the one that is susppose to be able to support plants?

 

[h0mersimps0n]

my best guess is definitely not...

 

[laura_loomis]

just curious. I was reading about a substrate that snakes could burrow in that had enough nutrients for planting a natural viv...

laura
(who now needs to refind the article.......)

 

[CrazyCorn]

For display cages if you want live plants just put in some soil but make sure it DOES NOT have added stuff like fertilizer, weed be gone, Pesticides, etc... I myself use Bark Chips for display even a ventilated cage keeps humidity and make sure it does have some good ventilation.

 

[Shaky]

Cleaning

How do you clean reptibark? Any ideas?
I have a lot of it that someone was keeping box turtles on, and its not clean at all, but I hung onto it just in case.

 

[h0mersimps0n]

Don't take chances, throw it away and start clean, start right.

You have no idea what could be living in those chips or bacteria/virii growing.

You'll learn (hopefully not the hard way) that cutting corners with reptile husbandry almost always ends up costing you more in the long run.

 

[RyanR]

my reference is shredded aspen its Realy cheap you can get 5 cubic feet for about 14.99 US And ive had mine for a year with 2 tanks and im about halfm way done the bag! and it looks great enables them to hide and does not dry the snakes skin! but make sure you feed in seperate area because if its swallowed it can cause impaction

 

[REG]

ORCHARD BARK

Hello, I found the best all around substrate for my display tanks is Orchard Bark. I buy it from a local nursery supply co. in large bags. 15$ It is heat treated and low dust. Also it comes in 3 sizes of chips, I use 2 parts large to 1 part medium. besides its beautiful appearance and ease to spot clean. Its makes the room smell fresh. REG

 

[Shaky]

Reg, ..

Is the orchard bark packaged like mulch or potting soil? I mean does it come in a product bag that I could find at, say, Home Depot?

 

[REG]

They do carry orchard bark at home depot, but in real small bags and it is very pricey. What I did here in S. Florida was, grab the phone book and started calling. The bags do look like mulch, but again it is processed better. REG

 

[sumguy]

Pic of my normal after putting in aspen the first time- she started burrowing right away. Only have 2 snakes and have tried aspen, repti-bark, paper towels, and cocunut chunks. Really like repti-bark the best. My amel had always been on repti-bark and apparently never seen aspen. She totally freaked and wouldn't touch it. Just crawled along on top of her hides and branch giving it dirty looks when she got too close.
After an hour or two she finally realized it's ok.