I see some questions about mold on unused portions if left in a tub... Even if it does mold, which coco is fairly resistant to, you can sterilize it and eliminate mold by putting it in a 5 gallon bucket and pouring boiling water into it. Put the lid on and wrap a few blankets around it, let it hold 180°+ for a few hours. Then squeeze any extra water out and let it sun dry spread out on a sheet of cardboard. This is more akin to pasteurization than true sterilization but it will do the trick
Awesome video. I just bought a block of Reptichip so I can use in my tropical plant soil. I’ve been scratching my head how I’ll break this block apart. Super happy I found your video you made this process look super easy! Thanks bro 👊🏼
That ultimately depends on how much humidity your Burmese python needs, and the amount of airflow within your enclosure. If you have large screen sections or vents, then filling the block all the way up would work best to maintain humidity levels.
@@AlexsAgamids alright, thanks! I just set up my reptichip just as you did. you’re very helpful :) also, when do you change out the substrate? every 6 months?
For my cornsnake how much of a block should i use for a 20 gallon(still a baby). And should I leave the remaining reptichip in the bin with the lid on until next tank change? And does it mold or not? And how often would you say to completely change it out? Sorry I know it's a lot of questions I just want the best for my corn
A single expanded brick will be more than enough bedding to use in a 20 gallon long enclosure. Just keep the excess bedding inside the storage tote. This bedding will not mold. I’d suggest doing a full bedding change every 3-4 months.
You can cover the tote with the lid. However I personally like leaving the lid off so the bedding can dry out a but. That way it is dry and prepared once it is set to be used for the next cleaning 👌🏻
@@AlexsAgamids alright I'm sorry just one more question and I swear I'm done lol but I saw someone post that they should freeze the reptichip in the freezer for a week to kill anything in it because it could cause mites? Is this true?
@@jeremiahbrulewicz5536 I've personally never frozen a block of ReptiChip. However if you are worried there could be mites in your bedding (say you picked them up from a show, etc.) then there's no harm in doing so!
I have not experienced mold issues when it stays in my holding bin while damp. However, I keep the lid off the holding bin when it’s full as I like to have some of the bedding slightly drier for when I use it with my corn snakes. I’d imagine mold would become an issue if he lid was kept on the bin immediately after it was moistened then placed in an airtight area.
Usually I use the entire tub in one sitting and then make a new brick to refill it. I have snakes, water dragons, and a tegu. So typically I go through 5 blocks a year just to change all the enclosures annually. Obviously if you have one snake. You probably only need one block a year permitting you have a single 4’x2’ floorspace enclosure.
I’ve been using this for my tegu for years! So much more affordable and cleaner than those topsoil mixed I see. Two bricks makes enough bedding to fill an 8’x3’ enclosure that nearly six bags of topsoil would!
@@AlexsAgamids my female has been digging like crazy and flinging the coconut dirt in her water so this i am sure will be way easier to clean out the water also
I’m sure you could take a knife and chop off part of the dry bit. Otherwise I know ReptiChip sells their product in smaller, prepackaged bags of dry substrate.
It breaks apart really easy just take the whole block out and break off the amount you need and add a little bit of water to it and mix it in..... if it ends up being to much water you can strain it off and let it sit in a container to dry out a little bit
@@AlexsAgamids this is kind of an odd question, but do you know if I can use this for my fancy rats? Is the dust pretty low? Does it mold? How often do you change and clean out enclosures? For fancy rats, enclosure clean outs happen every half week to every week. I know rats are generally food for some reptiles, but I’m aiming to make a kind of “natural environment “ for them without going full bio reactive cage enclosure lol Thank you!
Great video! Question though - does the bag say how much water to add to achieve a certain humidity level? We have a ball Python and need the humidity around 65-85%. Switching the current bedding we have to Reptichip next week!👏🏻
From what I’ve seen on the label: no. However, when filling the entire bag of water. It will no doubt be sufficiently damp to achieve the humidity levels needed for a ball python.
@@nickford1554 I keep one of these Rubbermaid tubs for adding and replacing in my single reptile enclosure. It will eventually dry out so I just occasionally mist the enclosure to add the desired humidity. For the method in this video, you wouldn't want to try breaking up the block but I'm sure you could if you place the desired amount into a container pretty similar in size when adding the water so it can soak it thoroughly.
Break the main block into smaller pieces and then use it as needed. This way you can have the block compacted in the bag, and then a small amount expanded and ready for use 👍🏻
I’m considering switching to this substrate since I’m having unknown humidity trouble with Forest Floor. How much of the block do I need to use if my ball python has a 40gal tank enclosure?
Question anyone. Can I do what he just did and take the amount I need to put in the terrarium and save the rest can I do that? Would the coco chips dry up and go bad?
Yup! Just make sure you leave the top of the bin off of bedding that you don't plan to use. That way it can air out and you don't mold growth on your fresh bedding!
It should work fine for a leopard gecko. Just make sure that it's fairly dry as leopard geckos are a semi-arid species (they get their humidity via moist pockets in hideaways/crevices)
Most keepers suggest a minimum size enclosure that the snake can stretch to form an "L" in. For example, I have two male corn snakes that are roughly 4.5ft long (54"). So I have them in enclosures that are 36"x24", thus they can easily form an "L" within the enclosure. Bigger is always better though! I'm currently looking to upgrade my corn snakes to even larger enclosures!
Bought a block of repti chip awhile back and used it without expanding like a jack ass. I was pretty butt hurt of how “little” it came with till I saw this 😂
Ah! I have three different PVC cage companies. One I by DIY Cages, the 3’x2’x2’ “Critter Condo”. The other is a 3’x2’x2’ Reptile Kages enclosure (very overpriced for the quality. Wouldn’t recommend). Lastly I have my Animal Plastics A35 (6’x2’x4’). Hands down the best PVC cage I have worked with. While their lead times are VERY long. It is absolutely WORTH the wait.
Hello, Unfortunately most of my colleagues are all focused on Squamata (snakes & lizards). You may want to check some online sources such as Reptiles Magazine, and other articles written by tortoise keepers to gather more insight.
@@AlexsAgamids Thanks for responding so quickly, and for the direction. Even though you are not a tortoise person, your tutorial on repti chip was very well done and helpful. I am going to try it out right now, and thanks to you, I am confident it will go well. My little buddy will be so happy!
@@AlexsAgamids Good tip. I’m about to be a new snake owner, rescuing an 18 year old ball python in a couple weeks and doing so much research. It’s these little in-between tips that make a difference. Thank you!
@@AlexsAgamids when you are ready to use some of your surplus that has been stored away, do you add water to it again before using ? Or just add to terrarium as is?
It depends. For my corn snakes, I usually add it as is since my surplus is already dry. If I am using it for my tegu or my water dragons. I’ll simply add the new bedding to the terrarium and then hose it down with my mister to get it to the desired moisture content for the more tropical species.
Could I please maybe pay you to set me up a Chinese water dragon set up. And have it sent to me. I’ve looked everywhere on petco and petsmart and I don’t know what to get. I would love for you to maybe get me the right set up
I appreciate the outreach, but I do not do any "pre-made" setups. I would advise doing as much research as you can for Asian water dragons and attempt to make or build your own enclosure. If you cannot do so, then perhaps look into an easier species of lizard to keep.
*Coco coir* (finer particles such as Zoomed’s: “Eco Earth” and Exo Terra’s: “Plantation Soil”) is what can irritate the eyes of a water dragon. Coconut Husk (such as ReptiChip, ProCoco, or Freedom Breeders: CocoBlox) is much larger and more of a “blocky” substrate, thus unable to get into the eyes of a water dragon and irritate it.
Bro thank you so much. Appreciate people like you. Idk why at 11pm im trying to search how to use coconut chips but I learned from you. Thank you!
Same but at 1 am while at work lol
Best method I’ve seen yet, thank you! Great video
Great! Keep making those videos. My dad and I been doing this totally wrong until we watched this! Thank you so much!!
Happy to hear it was helpful!
I'm new to reptichip and your video/method was very helpful. Thank you!
Fantastic demonstration dude 🤘🏽
I see some questions about mold on unused portions if left in a tub... Even if it does mold, which coco is fairly resistant to, you can sterilize it and eliminate mold by putting it in a 5 gallon bucket and pouring boiling water into it. Put the lid on and wrap a few blankets around it, let it hold 180°+ for a few hours. Then squeeze any extra water out and let it sun dry spread out on a sheet of cardboard. This is more akin to pasteurization than true sterilization but it will do the trick
Love this product! Use it with my ball pythons, Water Dragon and have some mixed in the substrate for my Pink Tongues and Crested Gecko aswell
Man, I really appreciate this! I was lost when mine came in the mail 😂
tyvm. i bought the ReptiBark, but, i'm sure i can use the same method as you.
Thanks, was totally over thinking this
Awesome video. I just bought a block of Reptichip so I can use in my tropical plant soil.
I’ve been scratching my head how I’ll break this block apart.
Super happy I found your video you made this process look super easy!
Thanks bro 👊🏼
Glad you found it helpful!
thanks for watching!
~ Alex
I reference this video often thanks mate!
Happy to help! :)
2:12 should I fill it up all the way for a Burmese Python?
That ultimately depends on how much humidity your Burmese python needs, and the amount of airflow within your enclosure.
If you have large screen sections or vents, then filling the block all the way up would work best to maintain humidity levels.
If I do this to the whole bag, and only need to use a little. can I save reptichip in container without it going bad ?
Yup!
I just suggest leaving the lid off the container so it can air out. Otherwise humid reptichip in a solid container will go moldy fast!
@@AlexsAgamids so I’ll just leave it exposed to the air for as long as I can?
Yup! :D
@@AlexsAgamids alright, thanks! I just set up my reptichip just as you did. you’re very helpful :) also, when do you change out the substrate? every 6 months?
Yup! This bedding seems to last quite a while. So I do a full change every 6 months and spot clean poop when I see it!
For my cornsnake how much of a block should i use for a 20 gallon(still a baby). And should I leave the remaining reptichip in the bin with the lid on until next tank change? And does it mold or not? And how often would you say to completely change it out? Sorry I know it's a lot of questions I just want the best for my corn
A single expanded brick will be more than enough bedding to use in a 20 gallon long enclosure. Just keep the excess bedding inside the storage tote.
This bedding will not mold.
I’d suggest doing a full bedding change every 3-4 months.
@@AlexsAgamids since it wont mold do I need to have the lid on the tote or not for the rest of the substrate till it's time to change?
You can cover the tote with the lid. However I personally like leaving the lid off so the bedding can dry out a but. That way it is dry and prepared once it is set to be used for the next cleaning 👌🏻
@@AlexsAgamids alright I'm sorry just one more question and I swear I'm done lol but I saw someone post that they should freeze the reptichip in the freezer for a week to kill anything in it because it could cause mites? Is this true?
@@jeremiahbrulewicz5536 I've personally never frozen a block of ReptiChip. However if you are worried there could be mites in your bedding (say you picked them up from a show, etc.) then there's no harm in doing so!
Might have to get myself some of that for my snakes. Do you get problems with mold if it just sits in the holding bin wet?
I have not experienced mold issues when it stays in my holding bin while damp. However, I keep the lid off the holding bin when it’s full as I like to have some of the bedding slightly drier for when I use it with my corn snakes.
I’d imagine mold would become an issue if he lid was kept on the bin immediately after it was moistened then placed in an airtight area.
@@AlexsAgamids ok thanks!
@@AlexsAgamids how long do you normally take to use up a tub of this? How much would you recommend keeping on hand for just one snake?
Usually I use the entire tub in one sitting and then make a new brick to refill it.
I have snakes, water dragons, and a tegu. So typically I go through 5 blocks a year just to change all the enclosures annually.
Obviously if you have one snake. You probably only need one block a year permitting you have a single 4’x2’ floorspace enclosure.
About to use it for my tegu, didn't know you could put the water right in the bag, great video
I’ve been using this for my tegu for years!
So much more affordable and cleaner than those topsoil mixed I see.
Two bricks makes enough bedding to fill an 8’x3’ enclosure that nearly six bags of topsoil would!
@@AlexsAgamids my female has been digging like crazy and flinging the coconut dirt in her water so this i am sure will be way easier to clean out the water also
It is definitely much easier to clean! (Larger chunks are easier to remove from a water bowl)
@@AlexsAgamids awesome, thanks man
what is the size of the tub? great vid by the way. very helpful
nvm just heard the 56qt LoL
do you put the lid on to store it
Yes!
Is there a way to activate a small amount at a time rather than the whole block? I’m limited on storage space.
I’m sure you could take a knife and chop off part of the dry bit.
Otherwise I know ReptiChip sells their product in smaller, prepackaged bags of dry substrate.
It breaks apart really easy just take the whole block out and break off the amount you need and add a little bit of water to it and mix it in..... if it ends up being to much water you can strain it off and let it sit in a container to dry out a little bit
@@AlexsAgamids this is kind of an odd question, but do you know if I can use this for my fancy rats? Is the dust pretty low? Does it mold? How often do you change and clean out enclosures?
For fancy rats, enclosure clean outs happen every half week to every week. I know rats are generally food for some reptiles, but I’m aiming to make a kind of “natural environment “ for them without going full bio reactive cage enclosure lol
Thank you!
Great video! Question though - does the bag say how much water to add to achieve a certain humidity level? We have a ball Python and need the humidity around 65-85%. Switching the current bedding we have to Reptichip next week!👏🏻
From what I’ve seen on the label: no.
However, when filling the entire bag of water. It will no doubt be sufficiently damp to achieve the humidity levels needed for a ball python.
@@AlexsAgamids thanks for the quick reply! I didn’t want to not add enough or too much.
Happy to have helped! 👍🏻
What if I only have one reptile. Do I want to soak all of it at once? I won’t change the entire cage substrate every day or anthtibf
@@nickford1554 I keep one of these Rubbermaid tubs for adding and replacing in my single reptile enclosure. It will eventually dry out so I just occasionally mist the enclosure to add the desired humidity. For the method in this video, you wouldn't want to try breaking up the block but I'm sure you could if you place the desired amount into a container pretty similar in size when adding the water so it can soak it thoroughly.
What size is the tub you store it in? Update 56qt. Nvm lol
Wow that’s incredible
I have reptichip and I Realty Dont have a big container Is there other way I can put the reptichip in? or no
Break the main block into smaller pieces and then use it as needed.
This way you can have the block compacted in the bag, and then a small amount expanded and ready for use 👍🏻
@@AlexsAgamids Thank you so much
You’re welcome!
Happy to help
@@AlexsAgamidsalso have a other queztioned I have a Leopard gecko and what should the humidity? I Dont want the subrate ito mold
I’m considering switching to this substrate since I’m having unknown humidity trouble with Forest Floor. How much of the block do I need to use if my ball python has a 40gal tank enclosure?
For a 40 gallon you’ll use about 1/5 of a block to cover the entire base with about 2” of substrate.
As always a great video.
Thank you!
What size is the tub?
56qt
First!!! And great vid bud!!👍
Thanks for the appraise!
Question anyone. Can I do what he just did and take the amount I need to put in the terrarium and save the rest can I do that? Would the coco chips dry up and go bad?
Yup! Just make sure you leave the top of the bin off of bedding that you don't plan to use.
That way it can air out and you don't mold growth on your fresh bedding!
I just got a thing of ripped a chip, and I'm not going to use it all for my short tail, would it be good for a leopard gecko?
It should work fine for a leopard gecko.
Just make sure that it's fairly dry as leopard geckos are a semi-arid species (they get their humidity via moist pockets in hideaways/crevices)
Does anyone know what gallon tank for a adult corn snake
Most keepers suggest a minimum size enclosure that the snake can stretch to form an "L" in.
For example, I have two male corn snakes that are roughly 4.5ft long (54"). So I have them in enclosures that are 36"x24", thus they can easily form an "L" within the enclosure.
Bigger is always better though! I'm currently looking to upgrade my corn snakes to even larger enclosures!
Bought a block of repti chip awhile back and used it without expanding like a jack ass. I was pretty butt hurt of how “little” it came with till I saw this 😂
What are the cages in behind you?
Corn snakes on the top.
Water dragons on the bottom.
@@AlexsAgamids my bad I meant like the cage type I’m looking to upgrade
Ah!
I have three different PVC cage companies.
One I by DIY Cages, the 3’x2’x2’ “Critter Condo”.
The other is a 3’x2’x2’ Reptile Kages enclosure (very overpriced for the quality. Wouldn’t recommend).
Lastly I have my Animal Plastics A35 (6’x2’x4’). Hands down the best PVC cage I have worked with. While their lead times are VERY long. It is absolutely WORTH the wait.
@@AlexsAgamids thanks I’ll look into possibly getting one
Do you keep any tortoises or know a reputable colleague who does? I am looking for source on keeping my hermann's tortoise happy and healthy.
Hello,
Unfortunately most of my colleagues are all focused on Squamata (snakes & lizards).
You may want to check some online sources such as Reptiles Magazine, and other articles written by tortoise keepers to gather more insight.
@@AlexsAgamids Thanks for responding so quickly, and for the direction. Even though you are not a tortoise person, your tutorial on repti chip was very well done and helpful. I am going to try it out right now, and thanks to you, I am confident it will go well. My little buddy will be so happy!
How long can it stay in the bin before using it? I only have two ball pythons and would not use an entire block right away.
You can keep it in the bin for months.
Just keep the top off so that way it can air out and become dry before sealing the top.
@@AlexsAgamids Good tip. I’m about to be a new snake owner, rescuing an 18 year old ball python in a couple weeks and doing so much research. It’s these little in-between tips that make a difference. Thank you!
Happy to help!
@@AlexsAgamids when you are ready to use some of your surplus that has been stored away, do you add water to it again before using ? Or just add to terrarium as is?
It depends. For my corn snakes, I usually add it as is since my surplus is already dry.
If I am using it for my tegu or my water dragons. I’ll simply add the new bedding to the terrarium and then hose it down with my mister to get it to the desired moisture content for the more tropical species.
Thanks for this
You’re welcome!
I’m glad it was helpful!
@@AlexsAgamids I would chip away with a knife like a fool...lol.
No worries man!
I used to tear the block apart with my hands, then soak all the crumbs to hydrate it...😅
1:02 oops….
cool good sh**t reall helpfull
Could I please maybe pay you to set me up a Chinese water dragon set up. And have it sent to me. I’ve looked everywhere on petco and petsmart and I don’t know what to get. I would love for you to maybe get me the right set up
I appreciate the outreach, but I do not do any "pre-made" setups. I would advise doing as much research as you can for Asian water dragons and attempt to make or build your own enclosure. If you cannot do so, then perhaps look into an easier species of lizard to keep.
I thought coco husk agitate water dragons eyes
*Coco coir* (finer particles such as Zoomed’s: “Eco Earth” and Exo Terra’s: “Plantation Soil”) is what can irritate the eyes of a water dragon.
Coconut Husk (such as ReptiChip, ProCoco, or Freedom Breeders: CocoBlox) is much larger and more of a “blocky” substrate, thus unable to get into the eyes of a water dragon and irritate it.