Can I use reptichip for my blue tongue skink?

[tamella]

I'm getting a northern blue tongue soon but I bought this before I really figured out which skink I wanted. Can I use it or does it hold to much humidity?

[Whnthsungoesdwn]

I use reptichip for my northern. I just don’t mist it

[tamella]

I use reptichip for my northern. I just don’t mist it

I was talking to some people who own northerns and said it would be to wet. I have the block kind so I have to get it wet to take it apart but if I do it prior to getting my skink and let it dry out will it be fine?

[gatoremoji]

If you let it dry out it should be fine.

I use it for my ball python (who I try to keep at 50% humidity), and here’s what I do to ensure it’s not too wet when preparing it: In a large bucket, pour a small amount of water over the brick. Let it absorb, and chip that layer off with a screwdriver. Take the substrate you chipped off and “wring it out” over the brick until no water can be squeezed out, then separate it into it’s own bin. Then you keep working at the brick in layers until you have enough.

The substrate will still be moist, so it’s then advisable to let it dry out by spreading it into a thin layer and letting it sit, mixing it up occasionally. I put it in a spare under-the-bed storage bin.

You can let it air dry, but this may take a few days to be completely dry. If the weather permits, letting it dry out in the sun works well, but you can also bake it at 250F until dry although it -will- have a smell and needs to be watched closely for safety.

Also keep in mind when you put the substrate in the enclosure the heat lamps will likely dry it out pretty quickly!