Need some advice

[TremperVegas]

I need suggestions on some good Leopard gecko substrates, I'm starting not to trust the substrate I'm using now. Any advice would appreciated.

 

[Rurso01]

95% of people will tell you paper towels. To regulate heat with them, we put reptile carpet underneath to keep the temperaturea right. What is your current substrate?

 

[RampantReptiles]

Ceramic tile is also good, looks nicer than paper towel.

 

[TremperVegas]

My current substrate is crusted chestnut which I have been using for almost two years now with no problems.I don't why I picked chestnut, I used to use reptile carpet. Komodo loves it since he loves to dig why Lilly could careless.

 

[Owens]

your prob about to get a whole lot of msgs saying get rid of the loose substrate, and all these people are right.

Impaction may never happen to your beloved friends but why chance something so precious as your leos to make the tank look nice.

I use and recommend using a ceramic tile

 

[TremperVegas]

I'm with you on that,I don't want to chance my leos getting impacted. I have two reptile carpets so I'll immediately get rid of the chestnut and use the carpet until I can get some tile. Is there a specific type of tile I should use and if so could someone give me the link to it?

 

[grboxa]

I personally use slate tile, keeps traction:main_thumbsup:. Tile is the way to go in my opinion.:main_thumbsup:

 

[TremperVegas]

Alright, I got the reptilecarpet put in on dec. 31st and now I'm getting measurements of their tanks. Hopefully I'll be getting some tile soon.

 

[GeckoJake]

I would highly reccomend ZOO MED EXCAVATOR CLAY MIXED WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF GOBI GOLD VITA SAND. I have never had a problem but use the excavator for 3/4 of the tank and the vita sand for 1/4. It is EXTREMELY natural looking.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Most ZooMed products have been more than satisfactory for my personal use. Except their sand substrates. They use additives in some that are completely useless for leopard geckos and can be harmful. I've used the excavator sand for a desert burrowing species and was very unhappy with it. It uses water to bond together and become formed caves, etc. My lizard became dehydrated in spite of daily soaks due to the sand depleting his body of moisture. He recovered within a month of changing his sand... If it was mixed with PLAIN sand it might be okay. But remember, if any is ingested, it's not going anywhere and will result in eventual impaction.

I suggest avoiding any type of loose substrates but use a nice tile for a more natural look if that's what you're after.

 

[TremperVegas]

I'll get some tile soon but right now I'm using carpet until I can get the measurements.

 

[Rurso01]

Our experience with the carpet wasnt a good one. Not only was our leos claws getting stuck but her teeth would get caught upon striking at food. Be very careful as they can lose teeth and toes if caught.. just a heads up! +1 for tile but our measurements kept screwing up and the pieces either kept breaking or wouldnt lay flat and wobbled. Will try again in the future but for the meantime paper towels do the trick and makes cleaning a breeze. Not to mention allows temperature regulation to be easier to do since its only a matter of adding or removing a sheet or two. Never liked the thermostats myself bevause our basement apartments temps fluctuates a lot during season changes.

 

[GeckoJake]

Most ZooMed products have been more than satisfactory for my personal use. Except their sand substrates. They use additives in some that are completely useless for leopard geckos and can be harmful. I've used the excavator sand for a desert burrowing species and was very unhappy with it. It uses water to bond together and become formed caves, etc. My lizard became dehydrated in spite of daily soaks due to the sand depleting his body of moisture. He recovered within a month of changing his sand... If it was mixed with PLAIN sand it might be okay. But remember, if any is ingested, it's not going anywhere and will result in eventual impaction.

I suggest avoiding any type of loose substrates but use a nice tile for a more natural look if that's what you're after.

No. I would never mean to keep it as the loose version of it. I meant the hard rocky version of it. It's extremely natural looking and it's not a loose substrate unless you keep it in the loose form. It's amazing!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

If you read the labels on the Excavator clay, it says it is not recommended for use with an under tank heater. It dries out and begins to crumble, creating particulate debris.

 

[brillobee]

I find, you get the best colors on you leos when you use paper towels. I have used reptile carpet and darker tile, and my leos seem to try and blend in. Their colors became dull. Plus paper towel is east clean up, just roll and toss.

 

[Dino]

Substrate

Hi, I know im new to the game here but i went with ceramic tile. The tile transfers the heat from my UTH very well and seems to be easy to clean. The only thing noticed do far is the gaps around the edges. I cut two 12x12 tiles to fit in a ten gal tank. I think im going to grout them in just wasn't sure if the tile would be my final decision. Now for the part some people may not like I know paper towels are in some opinions the best choice however, i think tile is more visually appealing. I know that doesn't always mater but the tile transfer heat do not harvest bacteria(make sure it is a non porous tile) and look more natural than a white paper towel. and again just opinion!