Fluker repta bark

[PeanutbuttER]

So, I was browsing the internet looking for new substrates. I saw that flukers has a repta-bark that they say is good for all kinds of high humidity loving reptiles.
http://www.flukerfarms.com/reptabedding.aspx

so I decided to try and find out what's in it and was able to find this site that says it has ponderosa pine and douglas fir in it.

http://www.turtlesale.com/home/index.php?page=products-page-2
(you have to scroll down a little bit)

Anyhow, isn't pine awful for torts? I've read on several threads here that members torts have died as a result of a pine bedding. Is it somehow different because it's ponderosa pine? Is it somehow different because it's "diluted" with the douglas fir in it as well? I haven't been able to find anyone on the internet that has said that they use it for their reptiles, so I don't know if its been safe for other people. Flukers is a name brand, so I'd be surprised if they didn't at least know something about what they're selling. Has anyone on here used this or used anything like it and was it safe for their torts?

 

[TortieLuver]

I wish I was more educated on pine, but it's a great question and I look forward to someone with knowledge on this particular subject to answer.

 

[tortoiselover]

I have been using Zoomed Repti Bark since my baby desert torts inception and I have not had any problems and it is 100% fir bark. Some here will say that all Conifer type tree bark is toxic to torts. Someone here called Zoomed and asked them what the deal was because cedar (is toxic apparently) is also a conifer and what makes it a "safe" conifer vs say Douglas fir (also a conifer). The short answer is something along the lines of different vapor temperatures for the oils (the toxic part) between the different barks. Cedar having a much lower vapor temperature than fir.

The funny thing about it is that people will say "dont use fir bark at all as it is toxic!" and than in the following sentence, "I use orchid bark..." What is funny about that is if you do some research on what exactly orchid bark is, it is simply Douglas fir bark...

But like I said, I use fir bark and it is fine and I have no problems at all.

Best part is there is a nursery nearby that sells "microbark" a 2cuft bag for 4 dollars... a far cry from the 17qt bag at petco for 21 dollars...

 

[Yvonne G]

Fir bark is ok (orchid bark is fir) but pine is not.