GO GREEN!

[leonut]

someone need's to revise the repti-carpet because it's a wonderful product except for the fact that leo's catch there nail's and teeth on it.

I've never had problems with this.

 

[hoppslover]

Just asking but do you think its greener to use the CF light bulbs?* I understand that they use less energy, but they do have mercury in them.* Do you think most people that switch over to them would dispose of them correctly?

 

[AMoore311]

I had a problem with the Reptile Carpet as well. Seymour's nails wouldn't ever get caught, but any time he missed a cricket or meal worm his teeth would get stuck.

He got stuck so bad the other day I went out and bought tile for the bottom. No more problems now .

 

[Barbel]

It's not difficult to make tiny changes that will ultimately make a tiny difference - tiny is better than none at all.

That is my point about all of this. A tiny change that you make can make a tiny difference, and sometimes a HUGE difference. Shortening your shower buy two minutes everytime can save hundreds of gallons of water each month. Reusable products for your reptiles instead of throw away ones will also make a big difference with trees and landfills.

I've never used shelf liner can you wash that?

I have never tried to wash in a washing machine or dishwasher, if that is what you are asking. I just soak it for a while in hot water and then rinse it off. You could always try another way to see if it works...!

I understand that they use less energy, but they do have mercury in them.* Do you think most people that switch over to them would dispose of them correctly?

The CF bulbs do have mercury in them, but a very, very small amount. I would think that if people read the box the first time they buy them, they would know how to dispose of them properly.

 

[Frognut]

The CF bulbs do have mercury in them, but a very, very small amount. I would think that if people read the box the first time they buy them, they would know how to dispose of them properly.

But as you said, every little bit makes a difference. And most people DON'T read the boxes or worry about how to dispose of things properly.

However, I agree - go green where ever you can. I use paper towels (recycled) and they end up in the compost bin. Which BTW doesn't need to be a compost heap that requires space and neighbors who don't care. Ours is trash can sized and is quite efficient - and only smells when you lift the lid to add more compostables. (you can even make them yourself instead of buying them!)

I will be switching to slate tile for my new enclosure, but will still have the recycled paper towels just in the 'poop spot' for less scrubbing of the tiles. Don't forget water is a resource you want to conserve as well!

We really wanted to add solar panels to our current addition project, but very few builders knew enough about it and the cost was not going to work. But it can always be added later.

Since we have a well and septic, we watch everything that goes down the drain and into the ground. I'm proud of Clorox for introducing their new line of more environmentally friendly products! But we also use things like vinegar and baking soda for cleaning.

Nice thread and great suggestions. Even small contributions to making the environment safer is a benefit for all of us.

 

[Barbel]

And most people DON'T read the boxes or worry about how to dispose of things properly.

That's true, but now everyone that reads this post will know to check the boxes for proper disposal instructions.

 

[hoppslover]

I think there is nothing wrong with being green. There is nothing that bothers me more than to be out 4 wheeling or scuba diving and see litter lying around. I think it’s a good idea to find more efficient ways of doing things. I don't believe though that it is a good idea if it’s just coming from our government pushing these things down our throats. Before this whole global warming thing you hardly ever even heard of going green and all of that stuff. Sure there has been recycling for quite awhile now but this green stuff just came up out of nowhere. It’s pretty easy to see that in this day and age that our government screws up pretty much everything that it can get its hands on. I think it’s time for people to come up with their own original ideas and not just because someone has told us to do something. Barbel I’m not saying your ideas are bad. I am just getting tired of people like Al and all the others that want us to change because the world is coming to an end while they sit in their mansions making money off of these schemes.

 

[BGalloway]

I guess you all live in sunny areas to be installing solar panels; around my neighborhood a lot of the farms and a few residences are going with wind power.

 

[Barbel]

I think there is nothing wrong with being green. There is nothing that bothers me more than to be out 4 wheeling or scuba diving and see litter lying around. I think it’s a good idea to find more efficient ways of doing things. I don't believe though that it is a good idea if it’s just coming from our government pushing these things down our throats. Before this whole global warming thing you hardly ever even heard of going green and all of that stuff. Sure there has been recycling for quite awhile now but this green stuff just came up out of nowhere. It’s pretty easy to see that in this day and age that our government screws up pretty much everything that it can get its hands on. I think it’s time for people to come up with their own original ideas and not just because someone has told us to do something. Barbel I’m not saying your ideas are bad. I am just getting tired of people like Al and all the others that want us to change because the world is coming to an end while they sit in their mansions making money off of these schemes.

I personally don't see it that way. Yes, the governement does talk about it some, but I think they have different things to worry about right now, like the colaspe of our economy. I personally don't pay that much attention to politics and I never saw Gore's movie. I am more like you. I see trash everywhere, I can see smog billowing from trucks and floating over big cities, and I didn't like the chemical smell of my old cleaning supplies.
If you are a person that doesn't like the government or giving the government money, then you should especially go green; extremely green.
There are some people that through a green lifestyle never ever pay an electric bill, a water bill and don't rely on any outside assistance to survive. They call it living off the grid. These people also don't experience power outages because all their energy is stored in their homes. You can also receive tax discounts by installing solar panels or using wind power. So, if you don't believe in global warming or anything like that, than do it for yourself so you only have to rely on yourself.
There is a cable channel called either The Green Channel or The Green Network, not sure which, but all their shows are dedicated to a greener lifestyle. You would be amazed at what some people are doing out there. One couple built their entire house out of rocks from a landslide instead of buying materials. Another woman insulated her hous with straw and made shutters out of old airplane wings. It is not about doing what the government says, it is about becoming more resourceful.

 

[Frognut]

I guess you all live in sunny areas to be installing solar panels; around my neighborhood a lot of the farms and a few residences are going with wind power.

We have enough sunlight to power solar panels - yes. I forget what the average percentage of daylight is before it will work, but we met the requirements. And it stores the excess for those cloudy, rainy days. Supposedly you can store enough and sell it back to the electric company - but we never managed to get that far.

The same thing applies to the wind turbines - you have to have a certain percentage of wind. Open areas, like farms usually can get away with them - and they are also a great idea. We have too many wooded areas (not that I'm complaining!!!) to get any substantial wind for those - plus our property is too small (I think).

 

[Merli]

I have a quick question about slate tile, I've been thinking about getting it for the bottom of my tank but am not exactly sure which type of slate would work best? Can it be any slate, and I would just go to the local tool shop and have them cut it to the dimensions of my tank? I'm just not sure if the heating of the UTH would go through properly.

 

[Barbel]

I have a quick question about slate tile, I've been thinking about getting it for the bottom of my tank but am not exactly sure which type of slate would work best? Can it be any slate, and I would just go to the local tool shop and have them cut it to the dimensions of my tank? I'm just not sure if the heating of the UTH would go through properly.

I have never used slate before, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I don't know about the different types, but I am sure the thickness will be a factor. I saw some slate for sale at an aquarium store the other day. It was really cheap, like $1.50 a pound, and each piece weighed maybe a half a pound. I would just buy a couple different of kinds and see which one works the best and then invest in some nicer custom fit pieces when you decide what you want.
You may also want to find out if there are any scrap stores in your area. They may have some broken pieces they will sell cheap as well.