Post by doomgerbiluk on Jan 30, 2006 0:57:13 GMT -8
Over the past few years I've tried a fair few substrates.
I use the word substrate as the main stuff I put in tanks, as opposed to bedding, which is what gerbils make beds out of.
I thought I'd list my thoughts on what I've tried
Wood Shavings
need to get dust extracted but can still be dusty
Cheap .
Quality variable.
Can be very soft but is sometimes hard and scratchy.
Looks nice in cages/tanks
can be dusty
Available in many different sizes
Source: any pet shop, some supermarkets (small bales),
Carefresh
Expensive
Very dusty
Source: pet shops/supplies (not all)
Note: threw most away as ashmatics in family became quite ill
Megazorb
Pricey
No dust,
absorbent
ugly to look at
Only available in sacks
Source: horse supplies
A sack does nearly all my cages in one go. www.bunnymail.co.uk
Aspen
Pleasant to look at
nice smell
soft
gerbils love it
pricey
various sizes
Even after a month in the tank didn't smell although the poo/bedding percentage was quite high and the cage therefore needed a good clean.
Source: reptile supplies
Hemp
Pleasant to look at
smells ok
a little sharp
Gerbils like it, they like to shred the pieces
Comes in various sizes
Same smell absorbing qualities as aspen
Source: pet supplies (not commonly available)
Sand
Cold
Hard to dig in unless damp
reasonably cheap
Gets smelly quickly
Playsand needs to be baked before use
Chinchilla sand to expensive to use in quantity
Can be washed, baked and reused a few times
Sand can contain agents not complimentary to gerbils' long term health.
Hay
not absorbent enough on it's own, good mixed with other substrates
Increases 'digability' of all substrates
provides some nutrition
Helps keep teeth trim
Must be frozen before use as may harbour mites
I am not making any recommendations here, just stating my experiences.
It would be interesting for others to add their lists, that way we can provide a reference for others wishing to investigate the different types.
I use the word substrate as the main stuff I put in tanks, as opposed to bedding, which is what gerbils make beds out of.
I thought I'd list my thoughts on what I've tried
Wood Shavings
need to get dust extracted but can still be dusty
Cheap .
Quality variable.
Can be very soft but is sometimes hard and scratchy.
Looks nice in cages/tanks
can be dusty
Available in many different sizes
Source: any pet shop, some supermarkets (small bales),
Carefresh
Expensive
Very dusty
Source: pet shops/supplies (not all)
Note: threw most away as ashmatics in family became quite ill
Megazorb
Pricey
No dust,
absorbent
ugly to look at
Only available in sacks
Source: horse supplies
A sack does nearly all my cages in one go. www.bunnymail.co.uk
Aspen
Pleasant to look at
nice smell
soft
gerbils love it
pricey
various sizes
Even after a month in the tank didn't smell although the poo/bedding percentage was quite high and the cage therefore needed a good clean.
Source: reptile supplies
Hemp
Pleasant to look at
smells ok
a little sharp
Gerbils like it, they like to shred the pieces
Comes in various sizes
Same smell absorbing qualities as aspen
Source: pet supplies (not commonly available)
Sand
Cold
Hard to dig in unless damp
reasonably cheap
Gets smelly quickly
Playsand needs to be baked before use
Chinchilla sand to expensive to use in quantity
Can be washed, baked and reused a few times
Sand can contain agents not complimentary to gerbils' long term health.
Hay
not absorbent enough on it's own, good mixed with other substrates
Increases 'digability' of all substrates
provides some nutrition
Helps keep teeth trim
Must be frozen before use as may harbour mites
I am not making any recommendations here, just stating my experiences.
It would be interesting for others to add their lists, that way we can provide a reference for others wishing to investigate the different types.