I, and others, have used the ReptiBark without screening. I have used pine bark that was dust to smaller than 1/2 inch but found that it was too water retentive so I switched to bark that was between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch.

I know some people do not shift there bark at all, but mine had a lot of ‘dust’ and tiny pieces. I kept everything that didn’t fall through the 1/8in mesh up to 1/2in - which is technically a little too big, but I know plenty of people who use the larger size with great success. I did break any larger than average chunks up a bit, if they stood out. I opted to try to have an even range of sizes, but eliminated the dusty bits.

I would recommend you pick out the sapwood. I quite literally drove myself mad picking out sapwood and didn’t get it all still, but I can see it in the pictures.

As far as mixing the bark with reptibatk, personally I thought about doing the same. Reptibark will likely take longer to break down than the regular bark because it’s not already partially composted. I don’t think there’s any harm in mixing it, but you might end up dumping the mix when your reptibark is still good, if the other bark is decomposing (in about 2-3 years).

My feeling on all of this is that there’s no perfect 511 - it’s a starting point. You can mix it to your own specifications as long as you make sure you properly water for the mix you have. Bigger pieces dry out faster than the fines. Reptibark should be well soaked before mixing.

Thanks for the confirmation Vladimir, I just wasn't sure about the 1/2 inch size. So now I guess I will give it a go. Alanna, I think you are right about the sapwood, I have already picked quite a bit from it already. I will go after more of it and will make sure not to buy that brand again. I like the idea that there is no perfect mix so I will do the best I can with what I have at this point. As for the repti-bark, I think I will try it in a separate mix and see what results I get from it. Thank you both so much for you responses.

I don't bother sifting mine out. It helps it stay a bit more water retentive and from drying out too fast. plus, the 5.1.1 mix requires peat moss and the dust is just the same anyways.

With the 1.1.1 mix, the gritty one, you have to sift it.

Soaking is good and when putting the mix together. It mixes the finer pieces well with the larger so that the finer particles are evenly mixed through out.

Make sure not to use too large of pieces because the smaller pieces will gravitate towards the bottom leaving the top dry while the bottom stays wet too long.

There is a fine balance between keeping it as a 5.1.1 mix that stay evenly moist and a 1..1.1 mix that does the same. You want to make sure you don't turn it into an 'almost' 1.1.1 mix sort to say.

Mike

Thanks Mike. I posted earlier today asking what the dust could be used for. So am I correct in that I can use some of it in place of the peat in a 5-1-1 mix? If so, that would be great. Thanks again.