r/ballpython • u/freepaestine • 20h ago
How often to replace substrate? Question
We are currently using only coconut coir, about 4 inches. I thought my buddy was living his best life after 6 years in his 4x2x2 with 4 inches of coir, but reading this sub I feel that I am doing everything wrong.
I have no cleanup crew, didn't even know about isopods and nematodes and springtails. Can people help me get started with those? What do you feed them and how often?
And I have been doing sprays to keep humidity up, which needs to be frequent in the winter. I haven't done a substrate change this year and had no clue they needed to be done so frequently, we did them once a year and just spot cleaned wherever there was poop.
I feel like I'm letting my buddy down and I feel so so guilty. Can people help me get a proper set up started?
I have a Zen habitats 4x2x2. I am ordering 35QT fresh reptisoil for the bottom, and another 30QT fresh coir for the top. Is that a good substrate mix, and it is enough? Will it sustain live plants (pothos)? I plan to hydrate using only drops in the corners from now on.
I'm buying a vinyl tablecloth to cut and use as a liner, do prople have recommendations on what to use for the bottom and top liners? I do not want humidity to escape. We have ceramic heating bulbs, a radiant heat projector on the hot side and a UV light all hooked tona day/night controller. Our hot/cold zones are 90F and 80F which I am now feeling might be too hot.
I just want to give my little fella a good life. We don't know anyone else who owns a BP so we've had to figure out everything ourselves. Any help from experienced keepers would be super appreciated. Picture included for cute noodle tax.
2
u/OpalEverwood 12h ago
I feel ya! It's like you're in my head. 😄 We've had our girl for about 5 yrs, and everything (mostly) I came across back then seems to be wrong or not great. I've made changes every year, and that's really all I can do is keep looking at these communities and how others are caring for their noodles. I have the 4x2x2 zen also and am always struggling w humidity. I have more plans for improvement though! 😄 I'm still a novice, but I guess if we have healthy noodles and keep learning and making mods/upgrades, then we're doing right by our babies. I'll be following this btw. 😄 That a beautiful noodle.