Allergic To Coconut Substrate

[jonathon1989]

My allergies have recently been really bad and Im starting to think it may be caused by the coconut fiber substrate. I read that it can trigger allergies on my snake pet website. Are there any other alternatives which are just as good?


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[curlysister]

You can just use all play sand.

[RiNiKy506]

This isn’t going to be much help but maybe someone will know more about it. I was looking for the eco earth at petco or one of them awhile ago and next to the EE, there was plantation soil. I’m not sure if it’s just a different name for EE or not. Like Curly said, just sand would be fine too, I know a longtime member here just uses straight sand, I did when I first started crabbing as well. I’m sorry your having allergies, that’s no fun for sure. I hope you get it figured out and fixed soon.

Edit: I looked it up, it is the same just different brands. Sorry about that

[curlysister]

Am I recalling correctly that EE isn't readily available in Australia? Do our Aussie crabbers use alternative products?

[jonathon1989]

This isn’t going to be much help but maybe someone will know more about it. I was looking for the eco earth at petco or one of them awhile ago and next to the EE, there was plantation soil. I’m not sure if it’s just a different name for EE or not. Like Curly said, just sand would be fine too, I know a longtime member here just uses straight sand, I did when I first started crabbing as well. I’m sorry your having allergies, that’s no fun for sure. I hope you get it figured out and fixed soon.

Edit: I looked it up, it is the same just different brands. Sorry about that

Thank you


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[jonathon1989]

Am I recalling correctly that EE isn't readily available in Australia? Do our Aussie crabbers use alternative products?

Thank you Curly


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[wodesorel]

I can't use cocofiber substrate because of allergies either. I go with straight playsand instead, never had a problem with the crabs or with the tank.

The other possibility is that there is mold growth somewhere in the tank, and cocofiber really encourages hidden mold growth because it's an organic food source for it. Any green mold anywhere near me and I get full on allergy and asthma attacks. I'm like a walking detector! And humid animal enclosures are the prime growth medium for mold. I combat this with the crabs by boiling organic items (wood, cholla, netting, etc.) in extremely salted water to ward off mold growth, allow for air flow through the tank, inspect and clean regularly, and change out the food often. It really makes a huge difference!

[jonathon1989]

I can't use cocofiber substrate because of allergies either. I go with straight playsand instead, never had a problem with the crabs or with the tank.

The other possibility is that there is mold growth somewhere in the tank, and cocofiber really encourages hidden mold growth because it's an organic food source for it. Any green mold anywhere near me and I get full on allergy and asthma attacks. I'm like a walking detector! And humid animal enclosures are the prime growth medium for mold. I combat this with the crabs by boiling organic items (wood, cholla, netting, etc.) in extremely salted water to ward off mold growth, allow for air flow through the tank, inspect and clean regularly, and change out the food often. It really makes a huge difference!

Im the same way with the mold. And thank you for telling me about boiling crabitat items in saltwater. Im going to look over the tank and check for mold growth. Is there a place you recommend buying playsand from? Also, how do you air out your tank? I recently got a tank hood and there is no way to air out the tank.


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