Excavator substrate

[Rhacodactyl]

I just saw in Reptiles magazine that ZooMed is marketing this clay burrowing substrate. I was wondering if anyone had firsthand experience with it. I've read elsewhere of keepers (not in the US) using their own clay mixtures for leos with great results. Apparently clay/soil mixtures are pretty similar to their natural substrate and they can dig burrows in it. The magazine information says "Reptiles can make caves and keepers can change the look and feel of terrariums by molding multilevel terraces and burrows....all-natural with no aded dyes, colors, or chemicals." I can't use it in my planned leo enclosure since it already has a fake rock floor and backdrop, but I'm curious about anyone else's experience with it.

 

[spykerherps]

Thats funny I was just signing on here to ask the same question?

 

[ReptileMan27]

Never seen or heard of it, besides for slate rock, a hard packed sand/clay mix is the next most natural thing for leos. I am personally against the use of LOOSE sand or other loose substrates for leos but a hard packed sand/clay is more natural then just plain loose sand and is safe. Impaction can only be caused if sand is ingested, the hard packed prevents that. If this new stuff from zoo med is what it sounds like, then yes I would say it would be safe and natural for leos but dont want to jump out and reccomend it because these same companies market other dangerous products like calci sand and say their safe and natural.

 

[Rhacodactyl]

I agree Reptileman. If it does turn out to be something safe and useful, I may retool an enclosure or two to try it out eventually. Heck, I might even use it for my Rhacs if it truly is a hard packed clay mix. I went to a Petsmart today to see if I could find any and check it out for myself, but they didn't have it. Hopefully somebody will at least notice some at a retail location and let us know how it looks.

 

[trizzypballr]

hmm, heres a link to it http://www.zoomed.com/html/cage_substrates_home.php Ill stick to my eco earth though very inexpensive

 

[ReptileMan27]

It looks just like loose substrate, im guessing you probly would have to wet it and let it dry or something.. Kind of hard to tell though

 

[trizzypballr]

no clue, i would imagine you would have to keep it wet for your gecko to be able to dig threw it and such, otherwise it would harden, or dry out and crumble? LoL if they couldnt perfect play dough that well, i doubt zoomed can do it either

 

[ReptileMan27]

no clue, i would imagine you would have to keep it wet for your gecko to be able to dig threw it and such, otherwise it would harden, or dry out and crumble? LoL if they couldnt perfect play dough that well, i doubt zoomed can do it either

I was thinking more towards just as a substrate, not for burrowing. You would want it to be hard and compacted, if its loose then its no good, you would have to worry about the risk of impaction. I am wondering how new this stuff is?, never seen it before but I dont use many commercial substrates, none for more leos for sure, so I dont really pay much attention to any new substrates.

 

[GoGo]

I dont see instructions on the bag, if you wanted to find otu if it works on its own or would need water Maybe you could run by a pet store that has it? Then you could inform us all. If it doesnt require water to stay togeather id say its a pretty nice substrate, one problem though. You want the gecko out and its underground, your not getting it out.

 

[trizzypballr]

Well see I use a rack system, so I would use it solely in the laybox, so im not worried about rather its loose or not, It will take alot of convincing to get me to switch from eco earth anyways, I can get 3 bricks for like $6, and those 3 bricks are enough for like 30 or so lay boxes pretty cheap and efficient

 

[ReptileMan27]

Well see I use a rack system, so I would use it solely in the laybox, so im not worried about rather its loose or not, It will take alot of convincing to get me to switch from eco earth anyways, I can get 3 bricks for like $6, and those 3 bricks are enough for like 30 or so lay boxes pretty cheap and efficient

I wasnt talking about layboxes or humid hides but as the cage substrate:main_thumbsup:. This stuff wouldnt be any good for layboxes or humid hides.

 

[trizzypballr]

if it takes water, it could actully be great for humid hides and layboxes. Nothing more natural than a gecko diging down into the 'earth' and laying her eggs in a tunnel, or hiding in a tunnel

 

[GoGo]

No it wouldnt because if the structures can support themselves they must harden or something, or cling pretty well. Which would make it a pain in the ass to get the eggs out.

 

[trizzypballr]

yeah, true

 

[leolover2]

This stuff is very very firm. I was on repticzone and someone asked if it was good for uros. One person said he saw it in the store and said it was a little to firm.

 

[KiKi]

we ordered it from reptilesupply.com

 

[GoGo]

Yea so, were going to test it out. If it works well, then well tell you all. Its cheap too, 5 bucks for a 5lb bag(reptilesupply.com), 8 for a 10lb bag(reptilesupply.com)

 

[ReptileMan27]

WOW that is cheap, my main question is if it will pack down good, I wouldnt want it for burrowing or egg boxes. If it packs down good, it would make a natural and good substrate for leos and no risk of impaction if they cant ingest it.

 

[trizzypballr]

sweet, ull have to throw some pics up for everyone to see too Im curious to see what it actully looks like and how easy it is to mold with. If it molds like it sounds like it should you could make some realy realistic looking setups

 

[GoGo]

Even better, have REAL realistic setups your geckos dug themselves. You never know how snug or how big a gecko wants it untill they dig it themselves. It should be here tomorrow or the day after. Were going to be testing it out in a 10g with our male.