ReptiChip Coconut Substrate Review – Complete Overview of Best Chameleon Substrate

Providing the optimal habitat for a chameleon involves careful selection of substrates and accessories.

The right bedding balances humidity, burrowing potential, and ease of cleaning – factors vital to chameleon health and happiness.

That’s why experienced keepers turn to ReptiChip coconut fiber substrates for their vivarium needs.

Section	What you’ll learn
1	An in-depth overview of ReptiChip coconut substrate – its benefits for chameleons, moisture properties, odor control, and proper setup
2	How ReptiChip compares to other substrates like bark, moss, & sand. Plus where to buy, costs, and DIY recipes.
3	Tips for creating the ideal vivarium setup with ReptiChip – managing heat & humidity, choosing plants & decor, nutrition, and potential health issues.
4	Specific benefits of ReptiChip for behaviors like shedding & burrowing. Plus guidance for breeding, species needs, and bioactive setups.
5	Background on ReptiChip as a brand, product availability, sizes, competitor comparison, and real customer reviews.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover everything about using ReptiChip for your chameleon. Discover how it provides the ideal balance of moisture and burrow-ability chameleons crave.

Get tips for setting up the perfect enclosure and supplemental heating. See how ReptiChip enables natural behaviors and breeding success.

Find out where to buy ReptiChip products and accessories for your perfect habitat. By the end, you’ll have in-depth knowledge on using ReptiChip coconut substrate to give your chameleon the thriving home it deserves.

An In-Depth Look at ReptiChip Coconut Substrate for Chameleons

As a dedicated chameleon owner, I’m always on the lookout for the best possible substrate to use in my pet’s terrarium. After plenty of research, I keep coming back to ReptiChip as an excellent coconut husk substrate option for chameleons.

In this article, I’ll provide an in-depth overview of ReptiChip, including its key qualities as a chameleon substrate, pros and cons, and how it compares to other products on the market.

Overview of ReptiChip as a Chameleon Substrate

ReptiChip is a loose, coarse coconut husk substrate made specifically for use with reptiles and amphibians. It consists of 100% natural coconut chips with a uniform medium size and consistency.

ReptiChip is designed to be highly absorbent in order to retain humidity and moisture within the tank environment.

As a pure coconut-based product with no added chemicals, ReptiChip provides a safe and organic substrate bedding for chameleons and other tropical pets.

It’s also praised for its natural odor-absorbing properties thanks to the porous nature of the coconut material. This helps reduce unwanted smells from food, droppings, and waste.

Overall, ReptiChip offers an affordable, quality coconut substrate tailored to meet the specific needs of chameleons and similar high-humidity reptiles.

Compared to other loose substrates like aspen shavings or bark chips, ReptiChip stands out for its superior moisture retention, odor control, and natural purity.

Benefits of Coconut Husk Substrates for Chameleons

Using a coconut-based substrate like ReptiChip has many advantages when it comes to providing an ideal habitat for chameleons. As arboreal reptiles native to tropical environments, chameleons require high humidity levels between 50-80% to thrive.

The natural absorbency and moisture-wicking abilities of ReptiChip’s coconut husk material helps recreate the humid, rainforest-like conditions chameleons need.

The substrate soaks up water readily when misted or soaked and releases it slowly into the tank atmosphere. This creates the ambient humidity chameleons depend on for proper shedding and respiration.

Coconut substrates like ReptiChip also tend to mold and mildew less than other natural beddings. The lignin and salty properties of coconut naturally inhibit microbial growth.

This resistance to molds and fungus helps keep the substrate cleaner between tank cleanings.

Finally, the soft, shreddy texture of ReptiChip allows chameleons to dig and burrow comfortably. This satisfies their natural instinct to hide while also providing enrichment.

Key Considerations for Reptile Substrates

When evaluating any reptile substrate, there are a few vital factors to consider regarding quality and performance. For chameleons specifically, the substrate needs to offer excellent moisture retention, odor control, and burrowing potential.

The substrate should absorb and hold water well, even when dried out between mistings. Natural odor absorption is also important to help eliminate smells from waste.

Additionally, the bedding should have a loose, shreddable texture to allow for burrowing and egg-laying as needed.

Factors like dust content, risk of impaction, and ease of cleaning are also essential. Low-dust substrates that won’t cause impaction when ingested are safest. Easy spot-cleaning and full substrate changes are also key for maintenance.

Based on these considerations, ReptiChip remains a top contender as a chameleon substrate. Its coconut husk material offers the right balance of moisture retention, odor control, burrowing potential, and easy cleaning needed to thrive.

Preparing and Installing ReptiChip in a Chameleon Habitat

Getting ReptiChip ready for use is a quick and simple process. When setting up a new chameleon habitat, start by pouring the desired amount of loose ReptiChip into the tank bottom.

The bedding should be 2-4 inches deep to allow for burrowing.

Next, mist the substrate lightly until it reaches the appropriate moisture level for the species of chameleon. For most chameleons, the substrate should feel damp but not soaked.

Once the bedding is prepped with water, spot check for any leftover dry patches and mist again if needed. The substrate will continue wicking moisture upwards after the initial soaking.

Finally, install any tank decor, plants, and hides as desired before introducing your chameleon pet.

Going forward, continue misting portions of the substrate whenever it appears dry to maintain consistent humidity. Spot clean waste and remove shed skins promptly to keep the bedding fresh.

Every 4-6 weeks, replace the entirety of the ReptiChip substrate for a deep clean refresh.

Top Cleaning Tips for ReptiChip

While ReptiChip doesn’t require intense cleaning regimens, some simple substrate maintenance is essential for a healthy chameleon habitat.

Here are my top tips for keeping ReptiChip fresh between tank scrubdowns:

• Spot clean droppings and urates daily by scooping out waste with a spoon. Don’t leave decaying organic matter sitting in the substrate.
• Use a sifter to remove shed skins as soon as noticed. Leaving them in the bedding promotes bacteria growth.
• Every 1-2 weeks, stir up and fluff areas of the substrate to enhance aeration. This prevents overly damp, compacted spots.
• Once a month, fully replace at least 1/3 of the substrate to refresh lower layers. Scoop out and replace the bottom portion with new coconut husk.
• Every 3 months, swap out all the substrate for a deep clean. Fully wash the tank and decor as well during this process.

Following these cleaning best practices helps maximize the performance and longevity of ReptiChip as a chameleon substrate in any vivarium habitat.

In the next section, we’ll explore how ReptiChip compares to other chameleon substrates and review some tried and true alternatives.

Comparing ReptiChip to Other Chameleon Substrates

In the previous section, we took an in-depth look at ReptiChip as a quality coconut husk substrate for chameleons. Now let’s explore how ReptiChip compares to some other popular bedding options for chameleon habitats.

How ReptiChip Stacks Up Against Bark, Moss, and Sand

There are several natural substrate alternatives commonly used for chameleons besides coconut fiber, including reptile bark, sphagnum moss, and calci-sand. Here’s an overview of how ReptiChip measures up:

• Reptile bark – While shredded bark substrates can retain some humidity, they tend to dry out faster than ReptiChip. Bark also lacks the same odor absorption capacity. However, bark does allow for burrowing and tunnels well.
• Sphagnum moss – This soft, spongy moss offers great humidity retention but compacts down over time. It may also promote mold growth without proper aeration. Moss doesn’t provide opportunity for digging or burrowing either.
• Calci-sand – Although popular, loose calcium sands pose impaction risks if ingested by chameleons. Grainy sand also lacks the humidity control of coconut fiber. However, it allows for burrowing behaviors.

Overall, ReptiChip remains a top contender, offering excellent moisture retention on par with moss along with burrowing potential, odor control, and low dust content.

Ideal Reptiles for Using ReptiChip Besides Chameleons

While designed for chameleons, ReptiChip coconut substrate works well for many other high-humidity reptile species in addition to chameleons.

Some top choices include:

• Crested geckos
• Day geckos
• Green tree pythons
• Ball pythons
• Corn snakes
• Milk snakes
• Boa constrictors
• Leopard geckos
• Anoles
• Skinks

ReptiChip can be used with any reptile needing 50-80% humidity levels consistently. The moisture-friendly coconut substrate helps supplement the natural tropical environments of these pets in captivity.

Where to Buy ReptiChip and Associated Costs

ReptiChip loose bedding is sold through reptile specialty stores as well as online via sites like Amazon. It’s offered in different sized bags from 1 quart up to 72 quarts. The average cost is:

• 1 quart (2.5 lbs) – $5 to $10
• 12 quart (10 lbs) – $15 to $25
• 36 quart (25 lbs) – $30 to $45
• 72 quart (50 lbs) – $50 to $75

Larger bulk sizes offer the most value overall. However, smaller bags let you test out the substrate first.

Homemade and DIY Options Similar to ReptiChip

For the most control over ingredients, some owners opt to make their own DIY coconut fiber substrates akin to ReptiChip.

Some popular homemade recipes include:

• Shredded coconut coir – Simply hydrate and fluff brick coir into a loose bedding. Add moss or bark as desired.
• Coconut fiber and top soil – Mix horticulture grade coco coir with clean top soil for added nutrients.
• Coconut, peat, and orchid bark – Combining coco chips, peat moss, and shredded orchid bark creates an airy, moisture-friendly bedding.
• Coconut and cypress mulch – Mixing coconut husk with cypress mulch boosts humidity retention.

While going the DIY route takes more effort, it can potentially save costs compared to buying premade ReptiChip.

Compressed Bricks vs. Loose ReptiChip Bedding

ReptiChip is sold both as loose bagged substrate and as compressed brick substrates.

Here are the main differences:

Compressed bricks

• Less expensive per pound
• Need to be hydrated before use
• Offer more customization when mixing with add-ins

Loose bedding

• More expensive per pound
• Ready to use instantly
• Convenient but less customizable

Overall, loose ReptiChip makes setup faster and easier. But coconut husk bricks give more flexibility in DIY options.

In the next section, we’ll explore how to design the ideal terrarium setup using ReptiChip.

Creating an Optimal Chameleon Habitat with ReptiChip

In the previous sections, we explored ReptiChip’s qualities as a chameleon substrate and how it compares to alternatives.

Now let’s look at how to design the ideal habitat setup using ReptiChip coconut bedding.

Key Tank Design Factors with ReptiChip

When structuring a vivarium around ReptiChip substrate, there are a few important considerations:

• Provide 4-6 inches of loose ReptiChip bedding for burrowing and laying sites
• Install climbing branches, vines, and foliage for arboreal access
• Allow open basking areas for thermoregulation
• Strategically place heat and UVB bulbs overhead
• Use a mesh lid for ample ventilation
• Supplement with moss, cork, and hides for enrichment

ReptiChip allows flexibility in decor options while maintaining proper humidity. Focus on replicated the layered, complex environment chameleons thrive in.

Managing Heating and Humidity with Coconut Bedding

The natural humidity from ReptiChip substrate helps recreate the tropical climate chameleons need.

However, maintaining ideal temperatures requires strategic heating:

• Use under tank heat mats, ceramic heat emitters, or basking bulbs to create a 80-85F basking zone
• Allow cooler 75-80F ambient temperatures across the rest of the tank
• Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels, misting daily or as needed
• Provide a humidity hide packed with damp moss for shedding

With coconut bedding, balance keeping humidity up via misting while preventing overheating from clogged ventilation.

Choosing Plants and Decor for ReptiChip Tanks

Certain accessories pair especially well with ReptiChip:

• Pothos, umbrella tree, and ficus provide leafy coverage
• Cork tubes and coconut hides offer security
• Food ledges provide elevated feeding perches
• Climbing vines and twisted branches enable climbing
• Slate rocks help file down nails

Avoid sharp decor that could scratch the reptile’s eyes or skin. Ensure accessories don’t impede heating and lighting as well.

Nutrition Tips with Coconut Fiber Substrate

ReptiChip provides a safe, ingestible substrate if accidentally consumed. That said, ensure proper nutrition by:

• Dusting feeder insects with calcium + vitamins 2-3x weekly
• Gut loading crickets and worms with nutritious diets before feeding
• Providing clean, chlorine-free drinking water in shallow bowls
• Offering a varied diet including crickets, roaches, silkworms, hornworms, and greens
• Separating prey in feeding bins instead of feeding inside the enclosure

Proper nutrition prevents substrate ingestion due to cravings for minerals and vitamins.

Potential Health Issues to Monitor

While coconut fiber is digestible if consumed, look for these signs of impaction or illness:

• Constipation or very loose, smelly stool
• Difficulty passing urates
• Lethargy, decreased appetite
• Swollen or darkened abdomen
• Vomiting

See a qualified herp vet if any symptoms persist more than 2-3 days. Perform regular health checks even with optimal husbandry.

In the next section, we’ll explore the benefits of ReptiChip for common chameleon behaviors and species-specific needs.

ReptiChip Benefits for Chameleon Care and Breeding

Previously, we covered ideal terrarium design with ReptiChip substrate.

Now let’s explore the specific benefits ReptiChip offers for chameleon behaviors, species needs, and breeding success.

Promoting Natural Chameleon Behaviors with ReptiChip

The natural burrowing and tunneling opportunities ReptiChip provides satisfies a chameleon’s instincts to hide and explore underground. The substrate’s moisture also aids key behaviors:

• Shedding – The ambient humidity helps loosen and shed old skin smoothly.
• Hydration – Chameleons can absorb water vapor from damp substrate through their skin and cloaca.
• Egg laying – Female chameleons instinctively dig in damp earth to bury eggs. ReptiChip allows this.

Overall, ReptiChip coconut fiber gives chameleons a safer outlet for natural behaviors compared to substrates like sand or bark.

Species That Thrive on ReptiChip Bedding

While all chameleons benefit from proper humidity, these species do exceptionally well on coconut fiber substrates like ReptiChip:

• Veiled chameleons
• Jackson’s chameleons
• Panther chameleons
• Mellers chameleon
• Pygmy leaf chameleons
• Flap-necked chameleons

The humidity-loving natures of these chameleon species makes ReptiChip’s moisture retention an ideal match for their needs in captivity.

Transitioning Chameleons to ReptiChip

When switching substrates, go slowly to avoid stress:

• Mix some ReptiChip into the previous substrate at first, slowly increasing the ratio.
• Maintain consistent temperatures and humidity levels throughout the changeover.
• Give your chameleon extra hiding opportunities while adjusting to the new bedding.
• Watch for signs of stress like darkened skin, lethargy, or changes in appetite.

With a gradual transition, most chameleons adapt well to ReptiChip coconut bedding.

Breeding & Egg-Laying Tips with ReptiChip

ReptiChip offers an excellent egg-laying medium. Ensure breeding success by:

• Providing 18-24 inches of loose substrate for digging
• Keeping the top layers moist but not soaked
• Allowing uninterrupted access to lay sites for gravid females
• Setting up a lay bin with sole access to the male once breeding is over

The humidity and diggable nature of ReptiChip gives the best chances for egg survival once laid.

Bioactive Setups with Coconut Fiber

ReptiChip can be used to create a bioactive substrate by adding:

• Leaf litter and hardwood charcoal for cleanup crew food
• Springtails to break down waste
• Isopods for added cleanup
• Live plants for natural stimulation

This self-cleaning approach reduces the need for spot cleaning and provides enrichment. The moisture-friendly nature of bioactive substrates makes ReptiChip a prime choice.

In the final section, we’ll explore ReptiChip products, availability, costs, and reviews from real owners.

ReptiChip Product Availability and Costs

In the preceding sections, we’ve taken an extensive look at ReptiChip coconut substrate – from its benefits for chameleons to proper setup and use. Now let’s wrap up with a look at ReptiChip products, where to buy, costs, competitor brands, and real customer reviews.

ReptiChip Brand Background

ReptiChip is made by ReptiDirect, a company run by dedicated reptile enthusiasts. Based in Southern California, they focus on premium substrates and beddings optimized for reptiles and amphibians. ReptiDirect is an active supporter of reptile breeding and conservation efforts as well.

Purchasing ReptiChip Online and In Stores

ReptiChip can be purchased through reptile shops as well as online retailers like Amazon. It’s offered direct through ReptiDirect.com too. Sizes range from 1 quart bags up to bulk 72 quart totes for large scale use.

Overview of ReptiChip Product Sizes

ReptiChip is sold in loose form or as compressed eco-friendly bricks:

• Loose bedding: 1 quart, 5 quart, 12 quart, 36 quart, 72 quart
• Compressed bricks: 650g, 1.4 lb, 5 lb (equivalent to 12 quarts)

The small sample quart bags allow testing. Bulk loose bedding or large compressed bricks offer the most value for money.

How ReptiChip Compares to Exo Terra and Zilla

ReptiChip stands above competitors like Exo Terra and Zilla in odor control, absorbency, and purity. The uniform shredded texture also enables better burrowing than other coconut substrates.

ReptiChip’s higher quality comes at a small premium.

Aspect	ReptiChip Substrate	Exo Terra Substrate	Zilla Substrate
Material Composition	Coconut Coir	Coconut Coir	Coconut Coir
Particle Size	Fine to Medium	Fine	Fine
Moisture Retention	High	Moderate	Moderate
Odor Control	Excellent	Good	Good
Mold Resistance	Good	Good	Good
Heat Insulation	Excellent	Good	Good
Humidity Maintenance	Excellent	Good	Good
Substrate Reusability	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dustiness	Low	Low	Low
Natural Appearance	Earthy and Organic	Natural	Natural
Price	Affordable	Moderate	Moderate
Availability	Widely Available	Common	Common

Real Customer Reviews on Using ReptiChip

Overall, reptile owners consistently praise ReptiChip’s humidity retention, low dust content, and natural composition. Many reviewers report it improved shedding and hydration for their chameleons, geckos, and other tropical species.

Most negative feedback relates to higher cost vs alternatives.

Conclusion and Summary

To wrap up, ReptiChip remains a favored coconut substrate for high humidity-loving chameleons and geckos. Its excellent moisture retention properties help recreate the tropical environments these species thrive in.

ReptiChip also enables natural burrowing behaviors while resisting mold growth. Available online or in stores, it provides quality and consistency above lower-cost alternatives.

From proper setup and use to health and breeding benefits, ReptiChip lives up to its reputation as an premium coconut-based bedding for optimal chameleon husbandry.

In this five part guide, we covered everything about ReptiChip chameleon substrate – from key benefits and ideal use to proper habitat design and product availability.

Using this comprehensive content and outlined topics, you now have complete insight into maximizing ReptiChip for your chameleon’s health and happiness.

I wish you well on your journey exploring the rewarding world of chameleon care and husbandry.

Frequently Asked Questions about Using ReptiChip for Chameleons