Why doesn't anyone use clay for substrate

[Jellybean]

You can get air dried non toxic clay very cheap at stores like hobby lobby, can mold it, make hides, add some desert rocks etc, no risk for impaction. And when you want to get rid of it it can easily be chipped out of the plexi glass as it will not adhere to it very strongly. It has really helped me create some very interesting hides and tunnels without spending a fortune.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

ANY loose substrate + ingestion = impaction. Just a matter of time. Sounds cool for making decor tho.

 

[Jellybean]

Um its not loose... its the same stuff flower pots are made out of.....

 

[im faster]

I dont see a problem. health wise.. but cleaning could be a problem

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Well your heading asked "Why doesn't anyone use clay for substrate".............

 

[C C Gecko]

I have also thought about using clay for building hides and other decorations. But as a substrate I wouldn't. I started with tan reptile carpet but i am over that I am on paper towels now. Maybe at some point I will experiment with other more natural looking substrates.

 

[im faster]

is it expensive?

 

[Jellybean]

Well clay as in hardened, I know there is that eco crap they sell in pet stores but that stuff just seems worthless. If you get the regular brown clay from Hobby Lobby you can put about a half an inch to an inch on the bottom of your tank, smooth it out and let it dry for 24 hours. Cleaning is about as easy as it is with tile, once it hardens its pretty easy to wipe down with some kitchen cleaner etc.

 

[Jellybean]

Yea its pretty steep price wise, about 4 dollars for a few pounds of it haha.

 

[C C Gecko]

lol omg I am gonna have to go recycle a bag of cans for a few pounds of it.

 

[Jellybean]

My only regret with using clay is the fact that I spent way the heck to much money on hides at pet stores, when I could just as easily and more closely replicated their environment using a material that has a texture extremely similar to sandstone when it dries.

 

[im faster]

so how much is it per hide roughly

 

[C C Gecko]

My only regret with using clay is the fact that I spent way the heck to much money on hides at pet stores, when I could just as easily and more closely replicated their environment using a material that has a texture extremely similar to sandstone when it dries.

I was fortunate enough to have come up with making my own coconut hides from a whole coconut. WAY cheaper.

 

[im faster]

^^^ i thought about that also..

where i just dunno where i could find them in ohio

 

[C C Gecko]

your local grocery store or walmart is where I got mine. Like $1.25 or something

 

[im faster]

ohhhh

how did you perpare the coconut

 

[Jellybean]

Eh getting a few pounds of clay for 5 to 10 dollars doesn't really bother me, I am just trying to go for a natural look and being able to customize a cage exactly the way I want since the clay can be molded into any shape.

 

[im faster]

how much clay does it take to make a hide?

 

[C C Gecko]

I start the coconut with a handsaw then use a jigsaw to cut the coconut in half, if its the right coconut you might get 2 hides out of it but even if you just get one its a great price for not much work. After you cut it in half I use a dull knife or a screw driver would work to take the white inside the coconut out. I use that same jigsaw it cut the hole (entrance) for the gecko.

 

[Jellybean]

Depends how big you want it, typically 9 dollars for 5 pounds and that is plenty for a big one or even two or 3, just depends on size and thickness etc.