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Welshlamb
Yearling
United Kingdom
711 Posts |
 Posted - 03/01/2013 : 12:28:44
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Hello,
As you may have noticed I have been using a different alternative to substrate. A green rug from Ikea, with Velcro attachments to the vivarium to secure it.
After several washes in the machine it has done well. Although after only having the corn 4 months I have noticed that the rug may not be the most suitable.
Pros
- Easy to Wash (Although this is very time consuming)
- Looks Very Natural
- It overall will be cost effective
- It is more heat efficient and Sustains variable temperatures in vivarium well
- It is suitable for Vivarium feeding (providing you use something to put the prey item ontop of)
Overall I'm really pleased with the substrate, although concerned about how to wash / clean it effectively for hygeine reasons (would be interested to here how you would go about this)
Cons
- Once it has been urinated on / excreted on it does smell
- You have to wash it at least once a week (this is the main concern as high temperatures would cause this to fall apart)
- It takes ages to dry out (plus if you dont dry it efficiently then it could cause the vivarium to have condensation, which is bad for the snake)
- Not 100% sure whether the method of cleaning is 99.9% Killing germs
- It is starting to fall apart from being washed at 40 degrees
Outcome
I'm planning on sticking with the substrate if I can, although would be really looking to hear your thoughts and oppinions beforehand.
If it proves evident that I should change the substrate, I will then be aiming to have co**** beech chips.
Another Idea I came up with was to use Beech Chips, whilst the substrate rug was drying out.
Look forward to your verdict
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Hissyfit
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2214 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2013 : 12:49:54
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It sounds like a lot of trouble, but it really does look great  Maybe invest in another few pieces, then washing & drying won't be a problem as you'll always have a clean one ready to use  |
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Welshlamb
Yearling
United Kingdom
711 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2013 : 12:54:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Hissyfit
It sounds like a lot of trouble, but it really does look great Maybe invest in another few pieces, then washing & drying won't be a problem as you'll always have a clean one ready to use
Thats a good idea! Thanks for the input. |
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ean632
Hatchling
United Kingdom
142 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2013 : 16:17:12
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| I use the repti carpet and its great, washes easy and dries well. |
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Thorne Walker
Yearling
Canada
642 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2013 : 17:16:42
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Well at 40 c you're not killing anything. You might even be encouraging somethings to multiply faster.
With that said you in no way want it to be sterile (and you couldn't keep it that way anyhow) you only want it to be pathogen free. I suspect that most of the nasties die anyway when exposed to oxygen if snake intestinal flora is anything like human intestinal flora. Also bear in mind that the bacteria coming out of the snake are 'safe' for the snake as his immune system already has a relationship with them. While distasteful (pun intended) coprophagy is not fatal/dangerous so long as you are consuming your own outputs and are free from parasites/pathogens.
What about spot cleaning it instead of running it through the wash? With something like a shopvac (or other wet/dry vac) you could soak the soiled area then suck all the water + excreta out without having to soak the whole thing. If the soaking was done using steam it would certainly kill most anything living in the treated area.
Dessication is also a very powerful antimicrobial... you could put it into a sealed bag with a hygrometer and salt, the salt will pull moisture from the air which will then pull water from any 'critters'.. then just shake it/vacuum it and you should be good to go.
How many pieces do you have? |
1.0.0 CB'11 Volcano Corn 'Kitty'
0.0.1 CB'11 Russian Rat Snake 'Monster'
2.0.0 CB'04 Roof Rabbits 'Baka Neko-San' and 'Usagi Neko-San'
My Setup :http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27228
The Kids: http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26248 |
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lupi lou
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3670 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2013 : 18:13:42
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| I have mine on cage carpet and just sling it in the washing machine. It drys really quickly and comes with two sheets so you have a spare. It is washed weekely and is holding up very well although one has shrunk slightly. so that could be an option for you to consider. |
 
1.0.1 Corns
0.1.0 Dog: springer
1.0.0 Horse
0.4.0 Gerbils
2.2.0 Leopard gecko
0.2.0 Cave gecko |
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Welshlamb
Yearling
United Kingdom
711 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2013 : 18:45:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Thorne Walker
Well at 40 c you're not killing anything. You might even be encouraging somethings to multiply faster.
With that said you in no way want it to be sterile (and you couldn't keep it that way anyhow) you only want it to be pathogen free. I suspect that most of the nasties die anyway when exposed to oxygen if snake intestinal flora is anything like human intestinal flora. Also bear in mind that the bacteria coming out of the snake are 'safe' for the snake as his immune system already has a relationship with them. While distasteful (pun intended) coprophagy is not fatal/dangerous so long as you are consuming your own outputs and are free from parasites/pathogens.
What about spot cleaning it instead of running it through the wash? With something like a shopvac (or other wet/dry vac) you could soak the soiled area then suck all the water + excreta out without having to soak the whole thing. If the soaking was done using steam it would certainly kill most anything living in the treated area.
Dessication is also a very powerful antimicrobial... you could put it into a sealed bag with a hygrometer and salt, the salt will pull moisture from the air which will then pull water from any 'critters'.. then just shake it/vacuum it and you should be good to go.
How many pieces do you have?
Wow thats some indepth knowledge you have shared there thank you. Although this has now made me even more concerned as I'm using the washing machine that I wash my clothes in. Plus if my partner discovers this she will go dolalaleeee.
So I have decided to keep the rug for back up, for the time being switched over to beech chips.
Thank you all for taking the time to give me advice.
In regards to the repti carpet, I dont think its for me. As it looks like sandpaper IMO But I can see why its used, so no disrespect intended. |
Edited by - Welshlamb on 03/01/2013 18:47:11 |
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harry Cornelius
Hatchling
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2013 : 22:00:11
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| Where can I look to find a backdrop like the one you have it really sets off the viv ?? |
1.0.0 Carolina - Harry Cornelius
1.0.0 Irian Jaya jaguar carpet python- Monty
0.1.0 cat - Bella
0.0.1 fish - Justin beiber |
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Thorne Walker
Yearling
Canada
642 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2013 : 02:56:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Welshlamb
I'm using the washing machine that I wash my clothes in. Plus if my partner discovers this she will go dolalaleeee.
So I have decided to keep the rug for back up, for the time being switched over to beech chips.
I really recommend the book 'Good Germs Bad Germs' by J S Sachs... It will change the way you look at the world...
http://www.amazon.com/Good-Germs-Bad-Survival-Bacterial/dp/0809016427
In a nutshell: there are more critters living on and in you then you could possibly imagine... and if it wasn't like that you'd die.
You wash your 'underthings' in that washer? Guess what that means 
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1.0.0 CB'11 Volcano Corn 'Kitty'
0.0.1 CB'11 Russian Rat Snake 'Monster'
2.0.0 CB'04 Roof Rabbits 'Baka Neko-San' and 'Usagi Neko-San'
My Setup :http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27228
The Kids: http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26248 |
Edited by - Thorne Walker on 04/01/2013 02:57:41 |
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Charles
Hatchling
United Kingdom
229 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2013 : 07:58:34
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| You have more bacterial cells in and on you than human. You are basically a walking bacterial colony |
1.1.0 Jim Caramel Tessera, Rosie Motley
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Welshlamb
Yearling
United Kingdom
711 Posts |
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a33272
our battery charger
United Kingdom
3063 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2013 : 12:18:25
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Obviuously a rug isn't designed to go through a washing machine. An something like what which I wool by the looks of is is only designed for a light hoovering too. So durability will be pretty poor. Only way around that is to have several being rotated so one in use on being cleaned one drying an one ready to use that way. That way at least they won't wear as quick.
as you already away 40 wash won't do much. Most germs an bacteria doesn't get killed until 80+. There are ways around it but ends up becoming more hastle then.
Reptile carpet is basically astroturf. So very hard wearing. How about the matting used my green grocers outside shops to dress shelving |
    
0.1.0 creamsicle corn-Marmalade
1.0.0 jungle carpet python-Bumble
1.0.0 corn Casper
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Welshlamb
Yearling
United Kingdom
711 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2013 : 19:15:15
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quote:
Originally posted by a33272
Obviuously a rug isn't designed to go through a washing machine. An something like what which I wool by the looks of is is only designed for a light hoovering too. So durability will be pretty poor. Only way around that is to have several being rotated so one in use on being cleaned one drying an one ready to use that way. That way at least they won't wear as quick.
as you already away 40 wash won't do much. Most germs an bacteria doesn't get killed until 80+. There are ways around it but ends up becoming more hastle then.
Reptile carpet is basically astroturf. So very hard wearing. How about the matting used my green grocers outside shops to dress shelving
Thanks for the reply. I totally agree to much messing around. I think I have finaly settled for beech chips.
Thanks for the help |
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coxymk2
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1245 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2013 : 22:08:27
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| I love aspen bedding it keeps the old ticker pumping when they play hide and seek with you on a morning lol |
0.0.1 ANERY (Liquorice)
0.0.1 CAROLINA (Bangle)
0.0.1 AMEL (Boozer)
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Topic |
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Green Rug Substrate Update
