Substrate questions (newbie) Critters comfort coir

[Zali Ash]

Hi y’all, I’m a bit confused about this substrate!
I am setting up an enclosure for a spotted python - which will be my first reptile.
I bought the critters comfort fine grade reptile bedding, which is 100% organic coir. I see a lot of controversy about coir, but I also see a lot of controversy about every other substrate available, so… that’s what I went with.

- Do I need to wet this??? I saw some people saying that it was holding too much moisture and causing condensation inside the hides which can lead to scale rot, but then I see other people saying it is way too dusty if it’s dry, which can cause respiratory problems. It does seem quite dusty to me but I don’t have anything to compare it to.
- How often should I replace it? I know I need to scoop out the bits that get soiled, but the packaging says to replace every 30 days. That seems kind of expensive, is it really necessary to do that often? If so, I might consider a cheaper type of substrate.

Thanks!

 

[dragonlover1]

the only coir I have used is coir peat when I had tropical dragons and it needed to be moist.
For my pythons I use chipsi in some and aspen in others, my son uses sugar cane mulch for his snakes.
Replacing every 30 days is excessive, it's a money making scam

 

[Tobe404]

I've used Coir Peat for all my Reptiles at one point or another. Never had any problems with it.

You probably got ripped off given that it is 'reptile bedding'. Next time just get a 15L brick of it from Bunnings. Same stuff.

You do not need to replace it every 30 days. Just spot clean the parts that have urate / poo on them. It does a pretty good job of soaking up waste.