COCO SUBSTRATE SHOWDOWN! WHICH IS BETTER? I test and review 4 brands of coconut substrate. 

I'd like a follow up video on dust content, mold issues and how easy they are to clean.

I use reptichip. Had good experience, no mold. Expands really well.

I have been using Gaps for years. An I think it's 1 of the best bedding out there in my opinion. Great video love to see what others opinion are.

This was so helpful to me! I am in the process of changing out my substrate, and was really waffling on the coconut bedding. This was very helpful.

Definitely gonna check out gaps. I will say burpees organic coconut seed starter is great in combination with some coconut husk like gaps or any of the chunky bricks. Makes a great combo substrate for anyone checking comments for some different mixes

Great video! I used Freedom Breeder Cocoblox and experienced mold issues as well. I thought it was just me. I'll keep Gaps coco chips in mind. I liked your idea of mixing the two.

in my opinion reptichip won this. i’ve been using reptichip for a while now and i don’t have single complaint. little to no fibers, no dust, expands really well, and no molding

I been using Prococo for over a year I love it, I was getting it for $15 a block, but cost went up $20 recently. Mine doesn't have as many fibers as yours, mine looks more like gaps, and when I mix and use I get no residue on my hands at all! It takes @2.5-2.75 gallons of water to expand it properly, and warm water expands it faster!

I cut the bags the way Jason does, but I put the hose down in the bag and fill it 3/4 of the way and it absorbed extremely quick. I use Reptichip, but I will give Gapes a go because it is cheaper in cost.

I feel like prococo has cut a lot of corners in the last year, and every few months the blocks I've gotten from them have gradually had more fiber in them. They used to be 20 a block which made them a good deal, but now it doesn't make sense to go with them over gaps, and I'm excited to give them a try.

I like the gaps ratio the best. I use cocoblox now and think size is alittle big, I will definitely give gaps a try

Only 3/4 way done but the coco bloc looks great. Guess by the looks of them the fibers help with the expanding but wow the coco bloc looks awesome!

Good job man need more people like you in the hobby

Awesome content man as always!! I'm getting my first bci in a few weeks after watching you for about 3 years! Went from a BP starting, then a hog, and after all your knowledge sharing I'm ready for my dream snake!! Keep it up!

I have a bag of reptichip and the fibers drive me crazy. nice to know there are other options, I'll have to try the fb or the gaps next, thanks for the video

Just watched a 40 min Gaps advert.

I really like cocoblox, been using it for awhile and haven't been disappointed. Definitely have mold issues though if humidity gets too high. With the price increase I think I'll switch to gaps

Great video! I’ve used reptichip and also didn’t like how the fibers got stuck in my snakes mouths. Found coco block through your videos and made the switch. I’ve been happy with it. My issue has been the white fuzzy mold growing on the snake turds if I happen to miss them for a day. Maybe I just need to examine the entire cages each day to not miss them. Second is it doesn’t absorb and I have to swap out quite a bit of the substrate to make sure I get all pieces that have urates underneath. Lastly is that it seems to always leave small tears in my snakes sheds. They shed completely and I know for a fact that humidity is correct. I think the blocks are just so big that the corners and edges catch the skin when shedding. I have an entire box to go through still so maybe I will try mixing as well with gaps.

Of course the blockier substrate expanded less, it has less fiber, which fluffs more. More fiber more fluff - no magic involved.

I'm glad you did this video I have been exploring different coco chips and mixing things. Like you said I don't like how chunky the FB is so I usually mix it with reptichip or prococo. Josh's frogs has some good coco chips too if you haven't seen those. I bought some at a local store and liked it.

1st off thank you for everything you do. Your amazing and me and my family love watching your videos. 2nd (lol) I'm now on gaps coco we got a block a few weeks ago and absolutely love it. Thank you so much on doing this video.

I recently started using ReptiCasa Organic Coconut Chips 29$ it’s comparable to FB coco. I got tired of reptichip adding all the coconut hair as a filler

Great comparison. Reptichip makes a product called Redichip, it doesn't have to be expanded and has very little fibers and a consistent size that is smaller than the breeder block of Reptichip. The only con is the price, it's a lot more expensive.

I just cracked open my first brick of gaps. Def less fibers that reptichip. Broke apart super easy without any water added. Just as dusty as reptichip tho. Wish it was a bit chunckier but I like it. It does have a kind of smell too it but I don’t mind as it’s not off putting or too strong. It was about 8$ cheaper than reptichip after shipping cost so that’s nice though it took about a week to deliver. I can use that 8$ for rats so that’s a plus. I appreciate this video sir Ty.

If you put the link to the gaps, I would buy it

my local exotic pet store recently stocked exoterras brand of coco husk. i must say i love the switch over from cypress mulch

Good attempt at comparing the brands. I wish you have have addressed the biggest concern people seem to miss when doing these videos. How quickly water turns color once they get coco in their water.. if the water is changing color then your coco is leaching whatever is in the coco to the water and your snakes drink that. I have used all three besides gaps and only Reptichip can have coco in the water for days and not turn the water colors. That also goes for staining your snakes and tubs. I have found Reptichip also yields more product than either Prococo or Cocoblox. I think if you would have had a full bag of Reptichip you would have got similar results. Hard to find gaps better in this test if test samples aren’t the same.

This was a good side by side review. I may check out the gaps for my next purchase.

Hey Jason wow awesome video man very in depth video on different substrate companies amazing review gaps I like in my opinion man keep these videos coming I am a big fan of yours Jason 🤜🇬🇧🇺🇸🤛

Great video. I have only used reptichip and cocoblox before. I love the size of cocoblox but not expanding killed it for me and switched back to reptichip but I'm going to give gaps a try next. I liked how it expands the very little fiber.

Dude I love the comprehensive video here, this must have taken a bit to put together However this is super helpful I definitely need something to help manage humidity a little bit better in a couple of my enclosures I've been sticking with paper lining and then I usually toss in a bit of sphagnum moss That in a nice big water dish, but a couple of my freedom breeder tubs and one of my custom tubs still seem to be a little hit or miss on whether they can hold the appropriate amount of few minutes so I've been considering some kind of coco substrate

I switched from FB to Repti due to mold control. Although it can be a bit stringy and tends to stain the animal, it holds moisture well. I've never used the other two.

Thanks for the video Jmoney.

WOW. Can't believe Gaps beat out Coco Blox . Great job on the video!

Did you ever do a follow up video about how they did in the tubs... How long each lasted and how well they hold moisture?

Videos coming regularly again now, keep em coming 💪🏻 🇬🇧

Ive used prococo for years and the stock ive been using for about 2 years now has way less fiber than yours, so i assume theyve lowered their standards a bit. They used to have 3 tiers of product- chips, chips n fiber, and coir which is basically potting mix when its expanded. the chips or chips and fiber were good for reptiles and mulching gardens, and the coir is great for potted plants, invertebrate setups, or bioactive enclosures. Ive never had serious mold issues unless the substrate was very damp for a long periods. I also paid 12 per block last time i bought them, so its been a grip. i only breed a couple dozen snakes and some are on paper in larger enclosures, so a block lasts me a long time. I probably should be doing full tub cleans a bit more often, but spot cleaning seems to be keeping them happy and healthy and i dont have lingering odors or mold issues so it is what it is.

This one is killer! More Great content! I love the Cocoblox but can only get it at the expo occasionally (too expensive on line) I use the reptichip as an alternate. Never used the other two, great to know about other options.

Thank you for this video gaps is local to me I’m from Philly and gaps is in broomall

I love Reptichip. The product is great and the owner of the company is an amazing human. He gives back to the hobby as well.

Awesome video and thanks for the comparison. I was hoping to see those new FB racks in the video though. Any chance you did an assembly video for these new FB racks to be posted?

I will be using gaps for great product and a they are local

Awesome video Man. I decided to go with gaps too was using repti for a couple years it’s not bad but alot of fibers and gaps is a Pennsylvania company so I can represent. Plus my newest boa will appreciate the gaps

I use the reptichip's redichip. It's just chunks there is no fibers etc. My dumerils boa loves digging in it.

I use coconut husk and it holds well.

Awesome video. Great comparison. I switched from Cocoblox to a brand call the Chipper. I really like it. If u decide to compare some other brands that is definitely one to look at. Love ur videos they are really great.

Nice review! I'll just add that believe it or not, Home Depot has started carrying a coco chip substrate called Viagrow that I ended up liking a lot. It doesn't have the fibers Reptichip has, I like the chip size much better (it's closer to what Reptichip would sell as 'babichip'), and it's notably more 'fluffy' than the other brands I have tried. It costs about the same/a bit less than Reptichip and much less than the Freedom Breeders product.

Thanks for the info Jason!!!

What size bins are those? They seem perfect

Too many strand fibers in Reptichip so I’m looking to change up. I spend too much time picking them out.

I have been having mold issues with cocoblox and I ordered directly from there site so it's definitely not on your end. The last few blox have had a ton of fibers too. Gaps seems like a no Brainer at this point lol.

I need to try gaps ive been super unhappy with coco blox with the molding I haven’t changed my technique at all and the last few blox mold within the first 3-4 days

The first few batches of reptichip I got were nice, since it’s been all fibers and it looks like crap in the caging and it’s annoying. Definitely not a huge fan of it. Haven’t used the others. Might have to try the gaps and see how it does with short tails and Aussie stuff.

Question do you use the whole coco block for your enclosure I only have one snake and one block seems to much for my enclosure?

Thanks

Great video btw!

Where can I find that size bag of gaps i can only find the 9qt bag

Would it be possible to have the links for each product in the description? Personally would like to use the Gaps for the reasons you stated.

Update video?

PSA: Freeze these bags for a few days to kill off any mites, I've heard some things

Do you always expand your chip in the bags? If so, why? Is it a better way?

Good video man. Unfortunately I can’t seem to find gaps in Canada

I have a Spotted Python and just bought Sani-chip, I'm wondering how Repti-chip compares to Sani-chip?

So I went to the website and tried to locate the correct product. In your video it has that specific label sheet in front, but on the website they only have the small bag version of that? Did they change labels? Or is it the one listed with No label, just a 10lb block of chips with no sheet showing in the picture. Listed at $24.96. Just want to be sure we buy the correct one. I use reptichip, however 2x recently I've had a few of my boas have substrate stuck in their lip. If I didn't catch it in time.. it could have been bad, I don't want to take that risk but do not want to use paper products due to humidity reasons and inability to spot clean. My brother got cocoblox like you did before. I do not care for how LARGE the chunks are, doesn't seem to catch the bowel movements as well.

GAPS! 🙌🏻

Do the chips compress in the enclosure over time compared to an eco earth type of substrate? I’ve found that eco earth compresses significantly once decor is added and such. It’ll be 4 inches deep when I first get the enclosure set up and it’ll be down to half that within a few days. Super annoying lol. Also, awesome video! I enjoyed watching it :))

Looked for the follow up - did you do one?

I use cypress mulch by forest floor..i reccommend it

gaps looks very good

Is the GAPS listed as “Coco Coir/Peat” on their website? The packaging looks different so I’m not sure what to order.

I’ve been using butcher paper for my big burms. I would love to change over to coco blocks however I’m concerned with a smell that comes with using coco substrate. Is this something you notice? I’d hate for my basement to have a smell from it.

Are you a Gaps distributor? I’d really like to find a source for the gaps Coco chips.

I tied looking for it any body know where but gaps

🥊

Damn! Where you getting your ReptiChip? I get it for $25 a block at my local expo. I don't like cocoblox because of the big chunky pieces. ReptiChip is my usual go-to. But maybe I gotta try out Gaps.

How many gallons are those bins? I just grabbed a gaps block.

Man don't throw it away I'll take it lol

Where can I find gaps?

Would home depot coco fiber work better

so i dont breed snakes, i only have two ball pythons and these bags are huge. could i prepare a whole bag and keep the extra in a tote when its damp or will it grow mold and get gross to the point i cant use it when it comes time to fully clean my snakes enclosures?

23:33 “i think gaps is yielding the most” right after showing all the dry spots it had after all that watering😂. cmon man that seems a little biased. reptichip got it for me

I use the repti chimp and it molds super fast in the cage bad bad 👎🤔🤦🤷

I use pro coco and warm water is needed to properly expand and I know of a nether breeder on RU-vid that buys a half a palet 100 blocks for $1000 so $10 a block

Btw it’s only 28.46 for 10 pounds shipped

Which boa racks do you prefer?

When thawing out your rodents in warm water and then feeding them, don't the fibers and chips stick to the rodent and end up getting swallowed by the snake?

Are you selling the Gaps?

👍👍

hellloo i have a question for you and i hope you can help!😁 so there’s a local ball python breeder around me that wants to trade a male and female, banana orange dream het piebald ball python(there 70-80 grams) for my visible female piebald (she’s 320 grams) i’m looking to getting into breeding snakes so I’m just wondering if that’s a good trade?

Nice video. Don’t take this the wrong way but I think that freedom breeder products are super overrated and overpriced.

Awesome video! I've been using GAPS for over a year and I love it. Worth every penny. I upgraded from Reptichip and never looked back! Check GAPS out!

I'd take the coco you don't want I'll pay shipping if needed

Nothing to do with substrate but it is your most recent posting. Man I need help. Bought a Central American about 8 months old. They fed live weaned rats the store. Brought home and wasn’t able to get her to strike but drop fed at night and both times the thawed rat was gone. She stopped eating before a shed and has finished her shed and now it’s been 2 months since her last feed. No matter what I drop in she does not eat anymore. I can barely get her to strike at her food and when she does she lets go. I figured maybe she’s used to live from pet store? But she ate two frozen thawed already from being taken home? Is this a feeding strike or do they go this long after a shed? I figured she’d be hungry right after shed! And trust all temps husbandry is correct! Just struggling here man !

11:13 is this the sound of hungry snake farts?

i bought from “aqua culture” and uuuh it said it’s for reptiles but it’s very similar to dirt, don’t buy from that company😭

Fb chips mold bad

Where is the CHIPPER at? COCO2GO by far destroys all those. My opinion

Ok while I totally appreciate what you are doing here your methods are biased as hell. You can't walk into a video and say, hey I got this stuff free and it is my GO TO brand right now and expect the rest of the video to be unbiased. The second point is your method for adding water is as unscientific as possible. If the bag is X amount (assuming they are all the same quantity) and hence the only way to measure expansion is to add the same amount of water to each. Say 5 liters per bag, and then measure. Oh and having an open bag throws that brand out the window. completely. It is almost absurd. Crap I did a quick test of how much time per spray in each bucket and they are different enough to make a difference in outcome. Especially if you are comparing expansion as a factor which really doesn't seem to matter to me. My opinion of the products based on your review is that all of them would work well. What do I want for my ball python having never used ANY of the brands you reviewed would be a toss up between Reptichip and Cocoblox leaning toward the reptichip. 3rd place is your favorite, wouldn't mind trying it but like most business people anything given to me for free is always going to be a subconscious favorite because my expenses have to be lower than sales for me to survive, so if I can get free, that only helps me. Since I don't sell them I want what is best for my snake. Cost is not a factor at that point because it is my pet not my source of income. Anyway, loved the video, appreciate your effort. I would offer this feedback. If you are going to compare, do a direct comparison. Keep the tests and units the same. X amount of water, X amount of material, same approach to each gives a more accurate response. Thanks for hearing the feedback,. Keep it up, subscribed! Last thought. Availability. Anything you can get in two days from Amazon and you don't have to wait a week or two to get is always going to be part of the choice. My local reptile experts don't have any of these brands. Being able to get something in two days with free shipping. Winner.

This was probably the most biased video I’ve ever watched lol

Excellent review! I was LITERALLY just about to order more cocoblox…l opted for the gaps it is cheaper and free shipping was a winner for me. Thank you