T-rex Jungle bed

tyrel · Jul 8, 2006

Is this stuff made from coconut? Is it good for ANY inverts at all? Is it more mould resistant than peat or potting soil? Is Is easy to pack down for burrowing? Will It stick to burrowing scorpions or tarantulas? Will It work for high humidity and low? Am I asking to many questions?

Edit: Im talking about stuff that comes in bags, as opposed to bricks.

Edit 2: How is it for mites?

stargell · Jul 8, 2006

I've never used it. I remember it being a combination of vermic., coconut fiber and some sort of sand. When I saw the sand as an ingredient I shyed away because I've read that sand can be dangerous to T's.

Juraki · Jul 8, 2006

It does appear to be mostly coconut, but there is bark of some sort in the mix, and the T-rex "calci-sand" is also in the mix, which is why I don't use it for my t's. That and it was a pain to pick the bark out of, although the bark is somewhat soft and spongey, so it may not be all that bad to leave in. I guess you could sift the sand out, but after all that it's a waste of money I think.

tyrel · Jul 8, 2006

I think that the "bark" is just coconut husk chunks. And how would the small amounts of sand (witch I haven't noticed) be hurtful to the animals? It seems to me that they would encounter this in their natual habitats.

Edit: Awnsers for the questions in the first post would still be appreceated.

gagamboy · Jul 9, 2006

that's what most of us here in the philippines use...

excellent for burrowers and perfect for holding moisture...

but the mites love them...

Beth-Tex · Jul 9, 2006

As the poster just above pointed out, the mites (or whatever those little things were) seem to love this mixture. I've tried this before when on a quest for the "perfect" substrate material for my Ts & found that it was a perfect substrate for MITES & have never used it since. I had even experimented by just putting some in a plastic container & never introduced a T or cricket or anything & within a couple of weeks had some very unwelcome tiny little critters in the enclosure.

Beth

Dreadwraven · Jul 9, 2006

I use the 'bed-a-beast' brand. All of the different brands seem pretty comprable, this is just the one that I come across most often for the cheapest price. This is the only stuff I've ever used and I've never had a problem with mites, however, I will take note of everyone elses experience and be sure to keep an extra careful eye out.

With that said, I like the stuff, I think it looks neat, the tarantulas have never complained to me about it, or shown any signs that they dislike it, so I'm gonna stick with it. I have surface dwellers, burrowers and arboreals and its worked fine for all of them.

Thoth · Jul 9, 2006

I used for my ts when I first started, without any problems. The chunks are pieces of coconut husk.

The little bit of sand in there is a non-issue. Straight sand is a no go.

It works well for dry and humid conditions. It'll hold a burrow.

I have never had a mite problem so I don't know. That and no mold but but speople state that coconut coir is mold resistant.

Scorp guy · Jul 9, 2006

I believe bed-a-beast is like eco-earth, correct? whatever it is, and whatever brand (forest bed, eco earth, bed-a-beast) it is, if it comes in an expandable brick, i use it, ive used many different brands, all with great success (i actually preefer forest floor) it holds burrows, and has enough to change a container several different times, i use that or peat for all my inverts, never a problem.

gagamboy · Jul 10, 2006

from my experience... anything with coconut attracts mites... but maybe its just relative to the climate...

Scarp172 · Jul 10, 2006

I used the bagged stuff for my G.Rosea...for week. Then it tarted to mold like crazy. It was kept dry too. Didn't have it in long enough to get mites, but I'm sure it wouldn't be pretty. The brick stuff did the same with me as well. I'd just stick to standard peat or soil, much cheaper and none of the above problems with proper care.

T-rex Jungle bed

tyrel

Arachnobaron

stargell

Arachnosquire

Juraki

Arachnosquire

tyrel

Arachnobaron

gagamboy

Arachnosquire

Beth-Tex

Arachnoknight

Dreadwraven

Arachnosquire

Thoth

Arachnopharoah

Scorp guy

Arachnoangel

gagamboy

Arachnosquire

Scarp172

Arachnoknight