Vermaculite and sphagnum moss

[spirit975]

What are the differences between the "hanging basket" sphagnum moss which can be bought for 99p from homebase, and the expensive petshop stuff? Ditto with vermiculite, perlite etc is the horticultural grade actually any different?

[freekygeeky]

i was woudering exactly the same.

[Akua_Ko_Nalu]

Perlite and Vermiculite are the bang on same thing, just re-bagged with a reptile brand!

Sphagnum Moss however, You have to make sure you treat it if picked up from a garden centre etc. I use the Lucky Reptile expandable blocks myself.

[SnakeBreeder]

Yep, pearlite and vermiculite are the same. I am told it is much cheaper if bought as insulating material from DIY shops than from a garden centre.

I use hanging basket moss and only rinse it under the tape, no other treatment.

I avoid buying "substrates" from shops that sell reptiles as in the past have had several outbreaks of mites from the goods. I once left some woodchips in a cupboard for a few days as I did not need them straight away. When I took the bag out it had mites inside the sealed bag!

I use kitchen towel or newspaper for most cages and aspen from a none reptile supplier in a few cages that are on view.

Stephen.

[peaches]

Originally Posted by SnakeBreeder

Yep, pearlite and vermiculite are the same. I am told it is much cheaper if bought as insulating material from DIY shops than from a garden centre.

Yup, vermiculite is cheap as chips from a builders merchants, ruddy great sacks of it too.

I also use moss from garden centres, the price in pet shops I think is such a con.