BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

To those members here who use Carefresh bedding as their substrate; could you give me some of your opinions about this stuff, both pros and cons. Is it economical? Is it easily spot cleaned between major cleanings?

The ten liter bags I see advertised, is that compressed or loose? Also, those who use it with a 65 gal. sliding glass (glasscages.com) set-up; how much does it take to sufficiently cover the bottom.

I'm thinking of doing some cage makeovers, and changing over, when I deplete my supply of aspen shavings, if it seems like the majority thinks it's a better all around substrate.

I would really appreciate your opinions!

Jerry

I use carefresh. a 10 liter bag covers the bottom of my 40 gallon breeder about 1 1/2 - 2 inches. The 10 liter bag is compressed. I think it's easy to spot clean, and it is a lot more clean than aspen. I used to have aspen shavings on my floor and carefresh doesn't get on my floor. I can't think of any cons of using it, you can even flush it down the toilet in small quantities. When i spot clean with the carefresh I just pick up the feces with toilet paper and flush it.

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Sounds like pretty good stuff Tyler. Do you have to order it online, or are you able to get it locally? If so, what store? I'm able to get aspen at K-Mart, but we've never seen Carefresh around here.

Thanks for your help,

Jerry

I get my carefresh at a local pet store. I think any main pet store will carry it.

Carefresh is ok, but its not economical to buy the small bags.

I use carefresh for some of my reptiles (including LittleFoot) and for the bunny's litter box. I love it, it is easy to clean, he can burrow in it, and it is absorbant. It is however more expensive then most substrates.

I use to use carefresh. I switched because I was concerenced that it was causing the shed problems I have having. I don't think it was because Spike still has problems with his toes. I never switched back though mostly because it's too expensive with 8 blueys.

Jenn wrote:I use to use carefresh. I switched because I was concerenced that it was causing the shed problems I have having. I don't think it was because Spike still has problems with his toes. I never switched back though mostly because it's too expensive with 8 blueys.

I can imagine Jenn! How does a 50 liter bag for $15 sound? That's without shipping of course.

The shedding issue does make me think though. Bindi and Irwin both dig like crazy through the aspen shavings to scrub off the shed. They're usually pretty thorough that way.

Thanks Jenn,

Jerry

Jenn wrote:I use to use carefresh. I switched because I was concerenced that it was causing the shed problems I have having. I don't think it was because Spike still has problems with his toes. I never switched back though mostly because it's too expensive with 8 blueys.

Carefresh is known to have some dehydrating properties, some people don't like to use it for hognose snakes for example, as it often results in dehydrated snakes and shedding problems.

JWSR wrote:

Jenn wrote:I use to use carefresh. I switched because I was concerenced that it was causing the shed problems I have having. I don't think it was because Spike still has problems with his toes. I never switched back though mostly because it's too expensive with 8 blueys.

I can imagine Jenn! How does a 50 liter bag for $15 sound? That's without shipping of course.

The shedding issue does make me think though. Bindi and Irwin both dig like crazy through the aspen shavings to scrub off the shed. They're usually pretty thorough that way.

Thanks Jenn,

Jerry

Have you checked pet stores around you? I know petco and pet supply plus carry it. The price sounds good.

I use carefresh for all my lizards, and I'd recommend it. All 3 of my guys burrow like mad in it. I get no bad odours, it's easy to clean, I have no shedding problems, and it doesn't get all over the place. The only downside I have is it getting into the water, but I believe that would be the same with all types.

I use carefresh in my 65 gal sliding door cage from glasscages.com. I can't remember what size bag I got to fill it with, it was a medium sized bag, but it filled it just about right with that bag alone.

I like it because it's easy for my blueys to burrow in and easy to clean (you can just flush it). It absorbs liquid well, etc.

The only thing I don't like is that I find my blueys look "dusty" in it. They don't shine like Tuck, who lives with the shredded coconut husk stuff that comes in bricks. He always looks shiny.

I use Carefresh for Sammy. I purchased a humongous bag when I first got her in June and I'm not even a quarter of the way into it.

I personally like it because I can spot her droppings right away and clean them out. I imagine it would be difficult to spot poo in a dark brown substrate. I generally scoop them out and put her mess in a zip lock when I throw it in the trash. Or I flush it. I'm told you can just vacuum it out when it's time to do a whole tank cleaning. I plan to get a little vacuum just for that purpose eventually.

Can't think of any cons. I haven't heard of any problems with impaction. I imagine that's because it's just paper and it can be broken down pretty easily.

It can make a mess of your water bowls if it gets in there, it totally falls to bits.

I used carefresh one time, and wouldn't use it again. I don't like how soft it is on their feet and I think that can lead to weak bones because it's like walking on pillows 24/7. It also had a funny smell, sucked up every bit of moisture in the tank because each piece is like a mini-sponge, quite expensive here, and very dusty too.

Zach,

I think I remember you saying you used the shaved aspen. Do you have any trouble finding their droppings in it? That would be the only reason I don't use anything brown. lol

I have no problem spotting a poop in the aspen from way across the room. Works great.

mom22wins wrote:Zach,

I think I remember you saying you used the shaved aspen. Do you have any trouble finding their droppings in it? That would be the only reason I don't use anything brown. lol

Yeah, we used aspen for a long time! It's much lighter than their dark cruddy crap crap -- so not hard to find. I've like to explore substrates that actually provide a foot hold in the last year. With carefresh and aspen, it's very difficult to walk, especially when it gets low -- some seem to have a better time of it than others though....