Sand as a substrate

[drewlowe]

thanks eyespy for sharing that information once again.

Depending on age and size will determine what i house my leos on.

Babies and juvies nothing but papertowel or slate.
Adults and juvies (6" plus) depends i will use paper towels, bed a beast, slate and i'm going to try a new one that i mentioned above all the rocks will be too big for them to ingest.

[Emily-Fisher]

Well I put my favourite leo, Smeagol, on tiles to test out and I must say, it looks absolutely GORGEOUS compared to the papertowels and Smeagol seems to love it too! I gave him a little rock thing to climb on and he climbs on it all the time. I also gave him a branch and he's always on that too Thanks everybody for your help! I will definately do the same thing with my other 3 enclosures asap. I will post photos very soon Thanks everyone!

[drewlowe]

Thats great news emily. I'm sure smeagol is enjoying it. Can't wait to see those pics!!!!

[NItrO]

Hey sorry I'm not perfect in english yet. But I'd like to know what is "slate" and "tiles" ? My 4 months gecko has a sand substrate (desert bland) but I think I'll change soon.

(U can PM me the info if u want to)

thx!

Phil

[Youkai]

I use paper towel for hatchlings and juveniles, and bead-a-beast/eco-earth/what have you for adults.

Whatever brand it comes in a brick, and expands in water. I buy mine from greenhouses. Marketed for plants, it's half the cost or less even though it's an IDENTICAL product.

Here's a tank set up with it.

<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/511/133leotank.jpg">

[Slannesh]

Don't you get the same risk of impaction from Eco earth as you do from sand though?

I can see why slate tiles would make a better solution, but what about the weight? Aren't they quite heavy?

Perhaps if you could give us a pic or two of your setup?

I keep my hatchlings/juvies on papertowel, but have just set up my new adult on sand as that was what he was kept on where I purchased him from. I am using sterilized play sand for the record. The calci-sand and such in the petstore is just astronomically expensive almost $20 Can/ 1kg or 2.54 lb bag. I just purchased 55 lbs of sterile play sand for just under $4.

The Eco-earth interests me though.. if it has considerably less chance of impaction than sand I would likely switch. If I were to look at a greenhouse for Eco-earth what would they call it?

I already buy Orchard bark mulch instead of Reptibark for my snake... costs $30 for a 60 litre bag instead of $20 for a 5 litre bag.

[eyespy]

Eco earth and other coconut husk substrates dissolve completely in a 5% hydrochloric acid solution, which is far weaker than most reptiles' stomach acids. Sand does not break down at all.

As with any particulate substrate, even though it dissolves completely there is still always a mild impaction risk but in nearly 19 years working with veterinary surgeons I've yet to see any carnivorous or omnivorous reptiles with even a trace of the stuff in their intestines. It does build up in hindgut fermenters like grassland tortoises and green iguanas, though.

[Slannesh]

Good to know, Looks like i'll be switching soon then.

I have never seen Eco-Earth locally however, eyespy mentioned that it's a coconut substrate? So basically shredded coconut bark?

[BoidKeeper]

What about that crushed walnut shell substrate?
Cheers,
Trevor

[Dani33]

Great info Eyspy. You've definately made me want to change. I think that I may cahnge to the coconut fibre! I may use slate in the future.

[Tim and Julie B]

The only reason I dislike using the expandable coconut products is because crickets and mealies breed in them so rapidly. The tiny bugs can really stress out lizards.

Julie

[drewlowe]

boid keeper-crushed walnut shells are bad also. High risk or impactation can occur when using it.

[Kara]

Would Forest bed be the same as bed a beast?? If so, then maybe I will be switiching my Leos over pretty soon.......Lots of good info here guys, thanks

[lizardboy007]

use reptibark my leos love it and it is natural

[Youkai]

Reptibark can easily cause impactions.

And for the love of god, PLEASE stop spamming this board!!