Paper towel substrate

[SludgeMunkey]

I should add it is the high levels of sodium sulfide in particular that personally give me the heebeejeebies, however, trust me when I say there are highly toxic chemical used through out the process and amazingly dangerous toxic products used in and on the machines in the process (lots of florinated hydrocarbons not to be confused with dental flourides). Most of that is never discussed with the public.

[flybyferns]

Mark and Johnny,
I use paper towel substrate. The ones I use are 'organic'.
I have no doubt that these so called 'organic' towels have issues as well.

Let's face it. I'm sure there is **** in the cocoa fiber as well.
I pot all my plants in this. I have thrown away or have returned bags because they smell moldy.
I'm sure the standard for this stuff is not monitored very closely.
How many times is one tempted to boil or freeze the stuff?

I keep Red Eyes - as you know are so sensitive to soiled conditions.

I am on a mission to find a fabric that can replace the towels.

So far, my quilting batting idea ( good for the frogs) was eaten by the crickets. ( I raise my own crickets- lots of extra -Ha!)
(the batting I purchases was made from bamboo) .
Makes me wonder if the crickets eat they coco fiber- as we know they pretty much eat anything- bitty beasts !

I am testing other swatches of fabric in an adult cricket bin all so .1) 100% cotton terry and 2) a sweat shirt fabric.

So far, the crickets ignored a fourth fabric----- poly/cotton fleece . Really soft. Holds the water really nicely. So,I then purchased one yard of it , ( 36" x 36") and cut into 18x18 squares. (The feeding side of my enclosure is 18 x18.) -washed ( hot water ) and dried it several times in the dryer- with out detergent of course. I have a piece in my enclosure. The frogs were seemingly not bothered by not having paper the last 2 nights. There might be photos of it. I added recently to my albums with it in the enclosure - it's green. Cheap. $ 3.00 / a yard. I like the fabric idea because it can be washed to remove the junk from manufacturing.

Those pieces of "Reptile carpet" are horrible and rough, and can not be put through the washer--- so I'm sure they get really yuckie ! (That's a very scientific word, ya know !)

We'll see ??

'flybyferns'
Lynn

[Heatheranne]

I have used paper towels for my baby red eyed tree frog for the last two months while she is growing to catch up with Stickers. It has been helpful to see if she is defecating regularly. I wipe down his tank daily with declor water and change the paper towel daily also. It's not very pretty, but is temporarily functionable. I've not had any trouble with it, but eventually he will be placed in my new vivarium with Stickers and my other new retf (who is currently being quarantined - just purchased him/her).

Stickers is currently in a terrarium. I'm just letting the plants settle a bit before I put her in. I might wait a bit more and put them in all at the same time.

The new viv has plants and Eco earth.

Just thought I'd share too.

[SludgeMunkey]

Mark and Johnny,
I use paper towel substrate. The ones I use are 'organic'.
I have no doubt that these so called 'organic' towels have issues as well.

Let's face it. I'm sure there is **** in the cocoa fiber as well.
I pot all my plants in this. I have thrown away or have returned bags because they smell moldy.
I'm sure the standard for this stuff is not monitored very closely.
How many times is one tempted to boil or freeze the stuff?

I keep Red Eyes - as you know are so sensitive to soiled conditions.

I am on a mission to find a fabric that can replace the towels.

So far, my quilting batting idea ( good for the frogs) was eaten by the crickets. ( I raise my own crickets- lots of extra -Ha!)
(the batting I purchases was made from bamboo) .
Makes me wonder if the crickets eat they coco fiber- as we know they pretty much eat anything- bitty beasts !

I am testing other swatches of fabric in an adult cricket bin all so .1) 100% cotton terry and 2) a sweat shirt fabric.

So far, the crickets ignored a fourth fabric----- poly/cotton fleece . Really soft. Holds the water really nicely. So,I then purchased one yard of it , ( 36" x 36") and cut into 18x18 squares. (The feeding side of my enclosure is 18 x18.) -washed ( hot water ) and dried it several times in the dryer- with out detergent of course. I have a piece in my enclosure. The frogs were seemingly not bothered by not having paper the last 2 nights. There might be photos of it. I added recently to my albums with it in the enclosure - it's green. Cheap. $ 3.00 / a yard. I like the fabric idea because it can be washed to remove the junk from manufacturing.

Those pieces of "Reptile carpet" are horrible and rough, and can not be put through the washer--- so I'm sure they get really yuckie ! (That's a very scientific word, ya know !)

We'll see ??

'flybyferns'
Lynn

Have you tried a microfiber cloth or an artificial chamois type cloth? I use both instead of paper toweling. I find them to be superior and the added bonus of being machine washable and reusable is ideal for me. When washing, use a phosphate free laundry detergent, and rinse by hand once the machine cycle is done. Allow to air dry, and then they are ready for use! Additionally, these can both be easily sterilized by boiling and/or with hydrogen peroxide without destroying the integrity of the fibers. I feel that the "shammy" type cloths are superior for maintaining moisture too.


As for coir, yes it often has a salt content to it, but in the case of frogs and toads I do not sweat the salt much. I have never observed crickets eating it, but then crickets do not live long here, they get devoured far too quickly to get any "cage time". LOL

[flybyferns]

Have you tried a microfiber cloth or an artificial chamois type cloth? I use both instead of paper toweling. I find them to be superior and the added bonus of being machine washable and reusable is ideal for me. When washing, use a phosphate free laundry detergent, and rinse by hand once the machine cycle is done. Allow to air dry, and then they are ready for use! Additionally, these can both be easily sterilized by boiling and/or with hydrogen peroxide without destroying the integrity of the fibers.


As for coir, yes it often has a salt content to it, but in the case of frogs and toads I do not sweat the salt much. I have never observed crickets eating it, but then crickets do not live long here, they get devoured far too quickly to get any "cage time". LOL

The tropical soil . I worry more about the mold .

True, the little cricket beasts don't last long in the enclosure! Ha Ha !

I'm really putting the fabric through a tough test leaving in a experimental cricket bin !!!!

The micro fiber cloth did cross my mind. I was thinking it might be a little scratchy. ( you know how it can catch on things ) I even thought about micro fiber kitchen towels. Both $$ . That's how I came up with the idea of the fleece fabric ( very cheap !) - holds just as much water and it's actually softer /washable / does not fray etc. And, buying the fabric by the yard enabled me to cut it to the desired size. Plus it comes in a billion colors !!! MUST be washed thoroughly though to get the bad stuff out - ie seizing and dyes etc.

I viewed my crew a long time last night. They like it. The were lounging around , soaking up nice clean water and grabbing nice gut loaded crickets as they strolled by.
Very spoiled.

Lynn