Automatic Litterbox Central

I am thinking about scoop free but have a few questions....

I have 5 indoor cats, and currently use worlds best CL and 2 huge trays.

If I get a forever tray how long are the crystals expected to last, ie if they are supposed to last 1 month with 1 cat will I having to be changing the entire box twice a week?

How many cats can the SF cater for, ie would 2 be enough to cope with 5 cats, I will obviously only be getting 1 until I can ensure that they will all use it before getting a second.

what I am trying to do is ensure that it doesn't work out more expensive for me to run the SF rather than WBCL in normal litter trays as I do find that expensive but lasts a long time, but the thought of not having to scoop 4 - 5 times a day sounds like heaven, and just empty the tray at the end of the day

thanks

This is just my 2 cents. I have had automatic boxes for years and it was just about 9 or so months ago I changed from Littermaid to the Scoop Free Box. I was very lucky because I got my first box for free via an offer through my area's Freecycle group. I was so pleased I bought a 2nd box. I should have started out saying I have 4 cats, 3 males and 1 female. At this point, I provide 2 of the Scoop Free boxes and one regular nothing special about it box. All 3 boxes get used and they pretty much have separated the pee box from the poop box and then the plain box gets both kinds. Kind of funny.

Anyway, with 4 cats, I find I scoop out the poop about every 3rd day and I change everything out about every 10-12 days.
I have a litter locker that is very handy for the scooping out days. Overall, it's quite easy to maintain.

Now, the deterrent might be using the Scoop Free Trays, or should I say actually paying the price for them. It's not cheap but for awhile I bought them in 3 packs and saved a little and I understand that if you order directly from the maker, they will discount your purchase and even offer free auto delivery.

However, we are lucky to have among us a vendor who has an engineering background and cats of his own and he developed a Forever Tray (his trademark) You can look at the tray via his website ForeverLitterTrays.com You see him on this site as Jack n Stan's Dad and I have nothing but good to say about him and his products. He recently developed a compatible litter that is premeasured for the trays and in my never so humble opinion work superior to the Fresh Step litter. No, I do not work for anyone related to litter boxes or litter for the boxes. I'm merely a thankful customer.

Bottom line, odor is practically non existent and it's a piece of cake to keep the boxes maintained. I expect I will be purchasing a 3rd box when I find it on sale.

I hope I have helped in some way your decision on this. I also hope I didn't misrepresent Jack n Stan's Dad when I talked about his products.

Take care, Betty

thanks betty for your thoughts, I had already been recommended jack and stans dad by a friend who already has his forever tray in england, who also can't recommend him highly enough. I have so far pinched all of her good cat ideas but it is interesting to hear that you can get nearly 2 weeks out of the litter, which sounds good.

Wow. Not much I can say here except thank you for the very kind words. My goals have always been to figure out something that was common sense, that worked, that would save people money over the long haul -- and at the same time help reduce potentially huge landfill.

You two both actually have one of the more common situations that the concept (using the Forever) works well for -- people with multiple cat/multiple SF homes.

Please don't hesitate to drop me a note if I can be of any help at all -- although it sounds like your friend in the UK and Betty may have already provided many of the answers.

What is the difference between the SF, SF ultra SX1 and SX2? is there a huge amount of difference. the litter pearls seam to have been accepted and they are using them, so now I am just testing to see how long one bag lasts, as it says 1 bag 1 cat 1 month on the bag so we will see, although I still have 2 other trays out at the mo.

Generally the units are pretty much the same, with the exception of some added features -- a hood, a timer, a counter, etc. The basic function is the same on all the units, capacities the same, the replacement cartridges are identical. It just boils down to your preference for other whistles and bells, and if they are important to you.