Tank Setup Question - Tile and Digging

**Kewico** · 09-30-2019, 11:05 AM

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So we have our new Leo who is only a few months old and is in a 10g at the moment and doing well. I had already started watching Craigslight and others before we got him in preparation.

Yesterday I was able to get pick up a 30x12x16 Front Open tank (Zilla) along with a Century Heat Map controller, additional digital thermostats, some hides, bowls and has UTH already, although I'm going to get a bigger one. Got all of Craigslist for $100 because the kid didn't enjoy the Gecko and they took it back, so all only used for under 6mos.

I will be cleaning and disenfecting it over the next week or so and want to do a tile a setup. I have seen a bunch use play sand under the tile as a buffer. I would prefer to avoid sand in general and was curious if anyone had used coconut fiber. I have a block of it and could easily prepare and then let completely dry outside in the sun, in no rush for setup. Was thinking this would make it much easier to clean in the future when want to a deep clean.

Has anyone used any other options besides sand between the tile and glass? Seems like would be a nightmare to clean and make a mess if water dishes were knocked over or something.

My other thought was trying to make a digging area for fun. My idea was to use a shallow tupperware filled with coco fiber and surround it will some smaller tiles and rocks so could go and then dig in it. Has anyone else done something similar or found they enjoy it?

Kevin

**Elizabeth Freer** · 09-30-2019, 06:10 PM

What a good deal! Make sure you thoroughly disinfect it all.

Try out a digging area with coco fiber in a small container.

Deep cleaning can be done infrequently; spot cleaning more often. Place a paper towel or a separate tile where your leo poops. Leos are usually pretty regular about using the same spot.

Sand is a conductor of heat.

Well-washed play sand is an ideal buffer between the glass bottom and the tiles. Sand fills in the groves underneath the tiles and eliminates hot spots. Another choice is the calci-sand pet stores sell, because the sand will be under the textured ceramic tiles where your leo can't reach it. A thin layer of calci-sand underneath the tiles will do that job nicely. (In case you aren't aware -- calci-sand is NOT good as a general substrate, because it could cause impaction.)

Eco Earth's coco fiber is a insulator. Coco fiber will lessen/block heat from the heat mat reaching your leo.

**Kewico** · 09-30-2019, 07:42 PM

I'll just go with the sand then. I've got a giant bag of it in the garage I use to top off the kids sandbox. I'll wash some good tomorrow and let it dry out. Good idea on the test dig box. Will make one from an old Tupperware and put in with him now and see how likes before I set aside space in new one.

**Geopard Lecko** · 09-30-2019, 11:57 PM

i'd just stick with paper towels, with the tile you really have to crank the thermostat up to get the right temp. and i wont touch sand with a 10ft pole.

**Elizabeth Freer** · 10-01-2019, 12:27 AM

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Originally Posted by Kewico

I'll just go with the sand then. I've got a giant bag of it in the garage I use to top off the kids sandbox. I'll wash some good tomorrow and let it dry out. Good idea on the test dig box. Will make one from an old Tupperware and put in with him now and see how likes before I set aside space in new one.

Another idea is to use a plastic box with a lid that has a hole on top for your leo to enter. The lid contains much of the "flying" coco fiber!

Half fill this with damp coco fiber. Snap on the lid. This can double as your leo's warm moist hide.