HELP!! MULCH!!

[nessanicolle]

I just got a huge bag of Cypress blend which apparently has a bit of pine too.. I read on anapsid that digging reptiles would be fine with pine and cypress.. I really need some substrate in my enclosure, would this be okay? i know cedar is toxic to reptiles :huh: :s any replies would be much appreciated.

 

[got10]

I wouldn't use it only because Im a bit paranoid about the pine in it.

 

[tommyboy]

I definitely would not use anything with pine. It's not worth the risks in my mind.

 

[nessanicolle]

:/ i mean my tank is well ventilated and it would only be temporary till i get money for all cypress. the majority of the mulch is cypress as well as the cypress in there now.. UGH!

 

[got10]

you can't get cypress in the states anymore unless you find some place that is hoarding it.you might as well get soil with peat and sand . It makes a good mix holds moisture and holds well for tunneling.

 

[nessanicolle]

I usually just get cypress at petsmart or at mernards.. i live in illinois and you can find it many places

 

[Dana C]

I can't use the pet store cypress. The largest bag is 22 or 23 dry quarts or less than 1 cubic foot for $10+. An 8x4 enclosure with 1 foot of substrate is at least 320 cubic feet. Way too expensive. The cypress you bought may be ok even with a little pine but here is what I would do.
Using baking dishes, heat the substrate in an oven for an hour at close to 250f, mixing it occasionally. Keep an eye on it and if you see the wood start to blacken, remove it and let it cool. The suggested temperature is well below the combustion level of the wood. This will evaporate the phenols in the pine which are the aeromatics that can be toxic. Phenol is a hydrocarbon that is most of what sap is and when refined, is the source of turpentine.

 

[nessanicolle]

theres a huge amount lol, but i'll do that just to be on the safe side. its already in there and he's loving it! ( going from an inch of substrate to 5!) thanks so much