Eco Earth as substrate?

Pepin

New Member
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6
Location
USA
Hello all! I got my leopard gecko Pepin 2 months ago. I have him on paper towel right now, but I was wondering about Eco Earth as substrate? I have heard that Leos can pass it without trouble of impaction. I'm not really a fan of the paper towel look.... I feel like tile and slate will get rather cold and my UTH won't be able to warm it up. Thanks!
 

kingkung

New Member
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175
Location
United States
Hi, I use eco earth for mine, they seem to be fine, but tiles are a good choice. I used to use tiles, but I find my self cleaning the tile every time they go to the bathroom because it tends to smell if I leave it for a few days. I didn't have trouble with heat with the tiles. I know others that also use eco earth without issues and it tends to soak up any smells. This is just my own opinion. Hope it helps

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kjsmith

New Member
Messages
41
Location
Ohio, United States
I use slate tiles and it acts as a good conductor of heat from the Uth. Looks great also
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Pepin

New Member
Messages
6
Location
USA
Hi, I use eco earth for mine, they seem to be fine, but tiles are a good choice. I used to use tiles, but I find my self cleaning the tile every time they go to the bathroom because it tends to smell if I leave it for a few days. I didn't have trouble with heat with the tiles. I know others that also use eco earth without issues and it tends to soak up any smells. This is just my own opinion. Hope it helps

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Thanks :) My crickets are also being little pests and hiding under the paper towel during feedings. Your advice means a lot!
 

kingkung

New Member
Messages
175
Location
United States
With my experience with eco earth, I have to note one thing that bothered me with eco earth was that crickets will tend to lay eggs in the moist eco earth and soon u will have a bunch of baby crickets, I ended up starting a dubia roach colony and switched them over to roaches and sometimes some super worms, but I'm not sure if others have had the same issue.

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Neon Aurora

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1,376
Location
New Mexico
I wouldn't recommend using eco earth, but if you do, just make sure your temps are spot on. Improper temps plus eco earth is asking for trouble.
 

Neon Aurora

New Member
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1,376
Location
New Mexico
You would want it to be completely dry. Eco earth is great at holding moisture and if the whole terrarium is too humid, you risk problems with respiratory infections.

The reason I mentioned proper temps is for digestion, not necessarily dryness (although you do want dry). If your temps are too cool, your leopard gecko won't have a good digestive process and you have an increased risk of impaction. And too hot is just never good. If you choose to use eco earth, be very sure that you have a warm side of 90 F and that your cool side is no higher than 75 F. Heat should be provided using a UTH.

If the only reason you want to use it is because you're worried about the tile not getting warm enough, I wouldn't worry. One thing you can do is spread a layer of playsand under the tile (underneath, where the leopard gecko can't get to). This will help distribute the heat evenly. Many people use tile and slate very effectively. I think slate and tile are great because the temperatures stay very consistent on them and the gecko can press his belly right up against it to get his much needed belly heat.
 

Pepin

New Member
Messages
6
Location
USA
You would want it to be completely dry. Eco earth is great at holding moisture and if the whole terrarium is too humid, you risk problems with respiratory infections.

The reason I mentioned proper temps is for digestion, not necessarily dryness (although you do want dry). If your temps are too cool, your leopard gecko won't have a good digestive process and you have an increased risk of impaction. And too hot is just never good. If you choose to use eco earth, be very sure that you have a warm side of 90 F and that your cool side is no higher than 75 F. Heat should be provided using a UTH.

If the only reason you want to use it is because you're worried about the tile not getting warm enough, I wouldn't worry. One thing you can do is spread a layer of playsand under the tile (underneath, where the leopard gecko can't get to). This will help distribute the heat evenly. Many people use tile and slate very effectively. I think slate and tile are great because the temperatures stay very consistent on them and the gecko can press his belly right up against it to get his much needed belly heat.
Is there a certain tile that you would recommend? I've also heard that some can release toxic fumes when heated up. Also, if using tile, where does the probe for the UTH go? Sorry for the 10,000 questions, I am on a mission to create a set up that is both aesthetically pleasing and safe for Pepin.
 

Neon Aurora

New Member
Messages
1,376
Location
New Mexico
Any kind of tile that is not coated with any sort of sealant would be fine. You could easily go to a home improvement store and ask an employee to show you the tile they have that is not sealed. When using tile, you would secure the probe on top of the tile directly over where the UTH is. You want to measure the temperature of the surface where your leopard gecko will be sitting. Some people put it underneath the tank, directly attached to the UTH itself, but I don't like doing it that way. I've found that if your house temperature fluctuates (mine does a lot), the temps will not be consistent.

Don't apologize for asking questions! Ask as many as you want to. It's the best way to provide the best care for your leopard gecko.
 

Pepin

New Member
Messages
6
Location
USA
Any kind of tile that is not coated with any sort of sealant would be fine. You could easily go to a home improvement store and ask an employee to show you the tile they have that is not sealed. When using tile, you would secure the probe on top of the tile directly over where the UTH is. You want to measure the temperature of the surface where your leopard gecko will be sitting. Some people put it underneath the tank, directly attached to the UTH itself, but I don't like doing it that way. I've found that if your house temperature fluctuates (mine does a lot), the temps will not be consistent.

Don't apologize for asking questions! Ask as many as you want to. It's the best way to provide the best care for your leopard gecko.
Thank you so much! This might be kind of a dumb question, but what about substrate for feeder insects? I have paper towel in the tank I keep my crickets in because they can't seem to walk well on the glass bottom....
 

Neon Aurora

New Member
Messages
1,376
Location
New Mexico
Personally, I don't use substrate when I have crickets. I don't care too much that they don't have good traction on the floor. I give them pieces of egg crate and they like to hang out on that and I just leave the bottom bare. But having paper towels in there is fine, too. It's whatever you prefer.
 

mamashel

New Member
Messages
6
Location
Columbus ohio
I do rhe same aa Neon Aurora with the cricket colony. I keep them in clear totes though. If ya put a ring of packing tape on the inside about 4-5 inches from the top, they wont be able to clumb ip past it. I cut a large hole in the top and using hot glue, i put fine screen in it's place (can't be nylon though... they can chew through!). I also add a small tub of bame eco earth to my cricket enclosure ao they can lay eggs. Havent bought crickets in a LONG time.

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