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Old 08-11-2016, 12:16 PM   #1
Bethyboo11
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Smile Megazorb Substrate thoughts?

I've recently discovered my Syrian, Cookie, is allergic to Pets @ home woodshavings, so I've been looking for some other options. I've done some research, and megazorb seems to be my best bet. What are your thoughts on it? Is there any other paper-based substrates you reccomend?
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Old 08-11-2016, 12:50 PM   #2
Coco61
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Default Re: Megazorb Substrate thoughts?

Have you considered Fitch? Many use it here on HC. It is a very good substrate. Check out their website as the best price is to order direct from them.
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Old 08-11-2016, 04:07 PM   #3
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Default Re: Megazorb Substrate thoughts?

Fitch Fitch Fitch I use it as well and really like it. It works out economical (sold in bulk), hamsters seem to really like it and it is dust-free. It's made from recycled food grade paper. I get the 10kg bag which isn't too massive to store indoors.

I haven't tried Megazorb. It was very popular at one time but I think a lot of people stopped using it because of the dust. Some people still really like it and say it holds tunnels well (especially gerbil owners I think). I think there are better things though. Fitch is one. Another alternative is Hemp bedding, which Zooplus sell and also lasts quite a long time. I was allergic to that unfortunately, but really like Fitch anyway.

This is the 10kg bale. £16.99 sounds a lot but it lasts me 4 to 6 months with a 100cm cage.

https://www.fitchrecycling.co.uk/ani...-delivery.html

This is the Hemp bedding Zooplus sell

Hemp Bedding for Small Pet | Great Deals at zooplus!

For holding tunnels, Fitch mixed with something else would work well (eg aspen or Finacard), but I found it holds tunnels quite well anyway. This is a picture of it in Charlie's cage.

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Old 08-11-2016, 11:54 PM   #4
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Default Re: Megazorb Substrate thoughts?

I like fitch. I put a deep layer in the cages and find the hamsters enjoy digging in it. The make nest in the fitch and dissappear from view. It also holds the smell well. I have a 5 of hamsters with 80cm base trays and find a 20 kg bag will last a month.
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Old 08-12-2016, 02:22 AM   #5
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Default Re: Megazorb Substrate thoughts?

I love fitch too! Either alone or mixed with Hugro hemp.

I know some people do use megazorb with no problem but it has a weird smell & I found it so dusty I had an asthma attack every time I even opened the bag.
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Old 08-12-2016, 03:37 AM   #6
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Default Re: Megazorb Substrate thoughts?

As everyone else has said,Fitch definitely!It's the best value in the UK(especially the 20kg bag/bale but the 10kg is still a decent value anyways)but it is also the safest option in the UK since as paper it will not cause an allergic reaction plus it seems to be the least dusty option as well(some people say it has virtually no dust)and therefore is extremely good for the sensitive respiratory systems of all small animals.

Serendipity did mention that it lasts a very long time in a large cage.That should be entirely true,as long as the cage is not overcleaned(bad for hamsters and bad for your budget).Something else to remember is that while you aren't cleaning out all the substrate at once,it doesn't mean that the cage will somehow become incredibly smelly.With regular spot cleaning,litter training,and monthly(or less if possible)partial cleans,the cage will actually have less odor than most cages but still remain a comfortable environment for your hamster but also not be ridiculously expensive to fill with substrate.

Something important to think about is that in even larger cages such as square meter cages you could have a whole square meter cage filled with substrate at 12 inches deep or more and the substrate would last 6 months to a year.However,if the cage is even bigger than that the substrate would last even longer!This is why bigger cages are actually in a way cheaper,because although initial setup can be expensive they save you a ton of money over time and can actually be very cheap to make
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Old 08-12-2016, 06:54 AM   #7
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Default Re: Megazorb Substrate thoughts?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
Fitch Fitch Fitch I use it as well and really like it. It works out economical (sold in bulk), hamsters seem to really like it and it is dust-free. It's made from recycled food grade paper. I get the 10kg bag which isn't too massive to store indoors.

I haven't tried Megazorb. It was very popular at one time but I think a lot of people stopped using it because of the dust. Some people still really like it and say it holds tunnels well (especially gerbil owners I think). I think there are better things though. Fitch is one. Another alternative is Hemp bedding, which Zooplus sell and also lasts quite a long time. I was allergic to that unfortunately, but really like Fitch anyway.

This is the 10kg bale. £16.99 sounds a lot but it lasts me 4 to 6 months with a 100cm cage.
!

https://www.fitchrecycling.co.uk/ani...-delivery.html

This is the Hemp bedding Zooplus sell

Hemp Bedding for Small Pet | Great Deals at zooplus!

For holding tunnels, Fitch mixed with something else would work well (eg aspen or Finacard), but I found it holds tunnels quite well anyway. This is a picture of it in Charlie's cage.

any idea what size I'd need for a detolf?
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Old 08-12-2016, 07:01 AM   #8
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Default Re: Megazorb Substrate thoughts?

Quote:
Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams View Post
As everyone else has said,Fitch definitely!It's the best value in the UK(especially the 20kg bag/bale but the 10kg is still a decent value anyways)but it is also the safest option in the UK since as paper it will not cause an allergic reaction plus it seems to be the least dusty option as well(some people say it has virtually no dust)and therefore is extremely good for the sensitive respiratory systems of all small animals.

Serendipity did mention that it lasts a very long time in a large cage.That should be entirely true,as long as the cage is not overcleaned(bad for hamsters and bad for your budget).Something else to remember is that while you aren't cleaning out all the substrate at once,it doesn't mean that the cage will somehow become incredibly smelly.With regular spot cleaning,litter training,and monthly(or less if possible)partial cleans,the cage will actually have less odor than most cages but still remain a comfortable environment for your hamster but also not be ridiculously expensive to fill with substrate.

Something important to think about is that in even larger cages such as square meter cages you could have a whole square meter cage filled with substrate at 12 inches deep or more and the substrate would last 6 months to a year.However,if the cage is even bigger than that the substrate would last even longer!This is why bigger cages are actually in a way cheaper,because although initial setup can be expensive they save you a ton of money over time and can actually be very cheap to make
I'm currently working on setting up a detolf, and is has turned out to be initally expensive, as I needed to buy lots of extra toys, and the detolf it's self! But yeah, I agree, in the long run it will be a lot cheaper! Any idea how much I'd need for a detolf?
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Old 08-12-2016, 07:08 AM   #9
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Default Re: Megazorb Substrate thoughts?

For a Detolf probably just get the 20kg bag/bale.It works out a better value than the 10kg anyways,so if you do have leftover substrate it isn't a big deal compared to having a problem where you don't have enough substrate.

For future reference,you can make an even larger Ikea Lack square meter cage cheaper than a single Detolf with a lot less effort involved as well
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Old 08-12-2016, 07:50 AM   #10
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Default Re: Megazorb Substrate thoughts?

Quote:
Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams View Post
For a Detolf probably just get the 20kg bag/bale.It works out a better value than the 10kg anyways,so if you do have leftover substrate it isn't a big deal compared to having a problem where you don't have enough substrate.

For future reference,you can make an even larger Ikea Lack square meter cage cheaper than a single Detolf with a lot less effort involved as well
I haven't actually bought my detolf yet, so I'll definitely look into the lack cage! Thanks a lot
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