Eco Earth as tank substrate

[EchoPet]

When I did a search for Eco Earth, the only topics I found were about using Eco Earth in moist hides/lay boxes... I apologize if I missed something more relevant.

Anyway, is Eco Earth a safe substrate to use for an entire tank? Once it's dried out I mean.

At the pet store I work at, we use it in all of our reptile units, so I've been using it at home as well. I'm not really sure if it would be safe for the young geckos we have at the store (am hoping to discuss this with my boss in the near future). But is it suitable for my adult geckos? I don't feed them in their tanks anyway, but I thought Eco Earth was supposedly digestible in case of ingestion. Of course, I know when something says it's digestible, that's not always true, so...

From browsing the forum so far, it seems like the popular opinion here is that the only suitable substrates are repti-carpet, tile/liner/etc, or paper towels. But the threads about using moist Eco Earth in humid hides all seemed to support the product's safety for geckos.

Opinions?

 

[2bacop]

I have never actually heard of Eco Earth so I cant really give an answer here but I wanted to thank you for using the search function first.:main_thumbsup:

 

[Yamori]

I use sand/peat moss mix but when the moss runs out i use plantation soil (eco earth) with sand.

If you use no more than an inch thick of eco earth then compress it with a piece of wood or something then it will be fine.

 

[Pepper]

I don't believe in using loose substrates, better safe then sorry..and, Leo's don't live on very loose substrate in their natural habitat, they live more in and around rocky out crops.

 

[Yamori]

Actually you will find their natural habitat is full of loose sand, loose sand and dust is blown all over the place their and pretty much covers everything, they don't sit on the tallest rocks all day trying to stay away from the sand hey.:main_yes:

The part of the world they are native to is very arid.
just my 2 c

-peace

 

[EchoPet]

I don't believe in using loose substrates, better safe then sorry..and, Leo's don't live on very loose substrate in their natural habitat, they live more in and around rocky out crops.

Understood about the loose substrate, but I'm still confused as to whether or not Eco Earth specifically is digestible or seriously a major risk like sand. I completely agree when it comes to sand, but I thought the coconut fiber was digestible and there wasn't a risk of impaction. If it's safe to be used in a moist hide or a lay box, wouldn't it be safe to use in general? Not trying to ask a question and then argue the answer, sorry if that's what it seems I'm trying to do, but I guess I was just looking for something more clear-cut about Eco Earth specifically instead of just the "no to all loose substrates" line.

To put it differently, should I get off the computer RIGHT NOW and dump it all out, or can I wait until I have the time and money to go shop around for some slate? Once I get the slate, can I still use the Eco Earth in the moist hide or should I label it highly-dangerous-for-any-use and throw it all away.

 

[Blizzard Lizard]

I've heard of someone having a leo pass coconut fiber in a long strand......so i guess its not digestable.

 

[EchoPet]

I've heard of someone having a leo pass coconut fiber in a long strand......so i guess its not digestable.

Good to know, thanks. I always sifted through mine and pulled out the long stringy pieces cause they worried me. I'll remove it now and hopefully my boyfriend won't notice or mind that a bunch of paper towels will go missing until I can get the slate.

So I guess it's not safe for the moist hide either? Or would it be ok if it's still all damp and just a little bit of it?

 

[acpart]

I can't tell you definitively because all my leos are on tile, but I do have a pair of African Fat tail geckos in a planted tank on coco-fiber and they are fine. Their droppings are free of coco-fiber.

Aliza

 

[Yamori]

The whole dangerous substrate thing has been blown out of proportion.

Impaction is not as common as most people think and is more times than not caused by improper husbandry and care.

Your geckos will not go around sampling the substrate and will not pick up a big load of it when they are eating crickets, mealies etc.

- Peace

 

[sammer021486]

I've heard of someone having a leo pass coconut fiber in a long strand......so i guess its not digestable.

I have seen a crested gecko that was on eco earth with a strand of coconut fiber that it ate sticking out of its vent.

As far as using it as a whole cage substrate I would have to agree with loose being bad.

I love slate tiles, they are easy to clean and give the tank a rocky look to it and hold heat if the power ever goes out.

 

[JordanAng420]

I had a client with a Pacman frog that was on eco-earth; the frog was hospitalized and sadly ended up passing away due to impaction, according to the necropsy.

 

[Ratman667]

for leos, i couldnt tell you. i am using a 60/40 mix of eco earth and peat in my fire belly vivarium. I also used it with my ball python when i had it. no problem so far.

 

[cyndi0502]

i would also worry about the humidity levels if it was in the entire tank.

 

[Blizzard Lizard]

I dont think there would be any problem with it in a moist hide. Even though it could still happen if it tried eating a cricket and missed in its hide, but i think its probably not too likely.

 

[EchoPet]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I've decided I will use it for the moist hides, but not for the whole tanks. Hopefully I can pick up some slate tiles tomorrow (my day off... finally lol).

 

[Misstasha]

i use only soil in my tank.. my leos looove it!! my leos dig even wen they are not gravid so the soil makes it easier for them to dig out a bed for themselves. if you see your lizards eating the soil remove it immeditly but if theres no problems i would use it!! ( i've had soil in my tank for three years, no problems!)

 

[Gregg M]

The whole dangerous substrate thing has been blown out of proportion.

Impaction is not as common as most people think and is more times than not caused by improper husbandry and care.

Your geckos will not go around sampling the substrate and will not pick up a big load of it when they are eating crickets, mealies etc.

- Peace

Darren, you can say this until you are blue in the face bro... LOL... Other, less knowledgable people will still insist that leos do not live in areas with loose substrate and blame impaction on sand instead of their poor husbandry tecniques...
No one wants to blame themselves for the death of their pet... Its easier to blame a substrate...

What I dont understand is why everyone uses a loose substrate in the humid hide without a worry but insist that loose substrates are not good... LOL Pretty silly if you ask me...

 

[Lena]

Gotta love the substrate debate..

I don't use it anything particulate other than in the moist hides.. Captivity is a totally different ball game. My goal is to keep my geckos happy and healthy and reduce any risk of health problems. There are lots of things that occur in the wild that aren't exactly beneficial to leos. I mean, they certainly live longer in captivity for that reason!

Anyway, I would have two concerns with eco earth/plantation soil and the like..
A. Humidity. Even if you really dry it out, that's what it's made for. I'd be afraid of things getting too moist.
B. Sanitary issues. Like I said, captivity is about keeping the animal healthy. What if you miss a chunk of poo? It could get very germy. Not just for the leo.. But for you! I know I don't like to handle one of my leos because she just LOVES to poo in her moist hide then roll in it. :main_laugh:

But don't take it from us.. :main_robin: Do your own research. Real research. (That means going a little beyond googling 'eco earth' )

 

[EchoPet]

What I dont understand is why everyone uses a loose substrate in the humid hide without a worry but insist that loose substrates are not good... LOL Pretty silly if you ask me...

That's sort of what I was confused about.


Anyway, I didn't mean for this to turn into a debate. :/

Anyway, I would have two concerns with eco earth/plantation soil and the like..
A. Humidity. Even if you really dry it out, that's what it's made for. I'd be afraid of things getting too moist.
B. Sanitary issues. Like I said, captivity is about keeping the animal healthy. What if you miss a chunk of poo? It could get very germy. Not just for the leo.. But for you! I know I don't like to handle one of my leos because she just LOVES to poo in her moist hide then roll in it. :main_laugh:

Just to answer the concerns:
A - I actually didn't have any problem keeping the humidity low once the Eco Earth was completely dry. My readings would be around 20%.
B - That could be a valid concern. I personally never had a problem - both of my geckos like to use a particular corner so I can always find the poos easily.


Anyway, I made it to the hardware store today and managed to get some tile, so no more Eco Earth. Thanks everyone for your input.