BTS Substrate

CarsynBeth · Postby **CarsynBeth** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:13 pm

Is fir bark alright to use? I would like to use Repti-bark or something of the type; I do not really like the look of aspen because I have a forest themed tank and the darker stuff looks better. If it is important that I use aspen shavings, I will. I would just like to know what is healthiest and/or best for burrowing.

Postby **Katrina** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:20 pm

Hi and welcome!!!

I use cypress mulch which sounds about what you are looking for. Repti-bark is also ok but expensive. Not sure about fir because most conifer barks / mulches contain aromatic compounds that aren't good for reptiles. But cypress mulch is fine and there are definitely other options that aspen.

CarsynBeth · Postby **CarsynBeth** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:29 pm

Thanks for the welcome and reply

I was thinking Repti-bark because it can be rinsed and used again a couple times. But, now that you have given me the option of cypress mulch, I'll be sure to check it out! I think I will just try cypress and fir bark to see which is better; I am currently testing out the humidity and temperatures.

Thanks, again!

Postby **Katrina** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:32 pm

What species of bluey do you have? That will make a difference on how much humidity you want.

I wouldn't bother rinsing - just spot clean and throw out anything that gets pooped on and do a complete clean every 6-8 week or as necessary. If you keep up with spot cleaning it goes a long way. Cypress is great for burrowing and holding humidity. I love it for my Meraukes.

CarsynBeth · Postby **CarsynBeth** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:48 pm

I do not have mine yet. I am testing out my habitat before I buy him/her. I haven't decided which species yet...it's so hard to decide!! But, I want to get a Northern or Tanimbar. I have my temperatures right, as of now, I still need to wait a couple days to make sure they do not fluctuate a lot, though. The humidity I still have to work with, but the substrate is really the main factor in that.

Fatal_S · Postby **Fatal_S** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 12:38 am

Way to go on getting everything set up and tested before purchasing! :thumbs:

CarsynBeth · Postby **CarsynBeth** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 1:25 pm

Thanks! And wow :jawdrop:

, you have a lot of skinks!! Lucky!

Linnea · Postby **Linnea** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 1:49 pm

amazing and good way of planning o__o thumbs up from me too.

myself i bought everything at once and set it up, reflecting on it now makes it sound really bad, luckily there were no complications

just me being very worried.

Postby **Katrina** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:30 pm

Fatal_S wrote:Way to go on getting everything set up and tested before purchasing!

I third that!

xxmonitorlizardxx · Postby **xxmonitorlizardxx** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 4:32 pm

CarsynBeth wrote:Thanks! And wow , you have a lot of skinks!! Lucky!

I know someone with more :roll:

I like cypress too

And welcome :welcome:

CarsynBeth · Postby **CarsynBeth** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 4:40 pm

Awesome! I'd love to have that many...but my mother would probably kick me out before she let that happen, haha. I have only barely been allowed the one I am going to get now. When I'm on my own, my house will probably be overrun with reptiles.

Thanks for the welcome!

JoshChimera · Postby **JoshChimera** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 5:23 pm

Welcome. That is great you are setting up the terrarium before you get the skink. I did the same. I use coco fiber:

It holds humidity well. This is a Tanimbar and they don't are into some humidity. I think Northern's are more of an arid skink. They like it dry?

CarsynBeth · Postby **CarsynBeth** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:21 pm

Yes, and I have decided I am going to get a Northern. So, I think I will be using cypress mulch. Thanks for all the suggestions, you guys! I will let you know how things are going once I get my little bluey!!

Nae · Postby **Nae** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:48 pm

Coco fiber also makes a good hat! Haha, cute pic Josh

Welcome to the forum!

CarsynBeth · Postby **CarsynBeth** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 12:45 pm

You're right! And thanks for the welcome!

Kbell31 · Postby **Kbell31** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 10:49 am

I have low dust aspen shavings now and since it was so recommended that is what I chose. I would have rather used a darker substrate too and even though it says low dust I actually feel like something is stuck in my throat whenever Im around it. I may be allergic, who knows. I am wondering how upsetting/stressing it may be for my skink to change it? Everything is very new to her anyways as I have just had it a few days now. Where do you get cypress mulch? Like at a Home Improvement store? Reptile Bark is pricey? I like the looks of that I think.

ssr · Postby **ssr** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:19 am

It won't upset your skink at all to switch. Yes, Cypress mulch can be purchased at a home improvement store or even a store like Walmart in the garden center. I switched mine to cypress this past summer.

Kbell31 · Postby **Kbell31** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:43 am

I think I know what it is now, cypress is still a lighter color right? It does not contain any dyes I assume?

ssr · Postby **ssr** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:50 am

It's natural color is reddish-brown. No dyes.

Kbell31 · Postby **Kbell31** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 12:09 pm

I think I might try that out, but i dont know how much luck I will have finding it in the winter time at the garden centers. Thanks!

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