Zoo Meds Eco Earth a good substrate?

**Bazamore** · 10-27-2018, 03:27 PM

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I usually clean my Leo's and Crested Tank every 3 weeks to a month. Since i use Eco earth for my Crested i usually am left with a lot of it when i'm done filling the crested tank. So i was wondering would it be bad to use Eco earth for my Leo's as well? I use a reptile carpet but i don't like when they get their Teeth stuck on the carpet or Calcium gets every where. I also only spray the inside of their Cool hide when they are shedding I don't normally spray the whole tank. So not so much moisture should get trapped in the Eco earth I assume. I have a 20 gallon terrarium for my Year+ Leo and 10 Gallon For my 6 month Leo.

**acpart** · 10-27-2018, 11:33 PM

I kept a trio of leos on eco earth for about 5 years. I would mist it occasionally to keep it on the moist side. It does rain in their natural habitat sometimes!

Aliza

**Elliriyanna** · 10-28-2018, 07:29 PM

Loose substrates are not recommended for leopard geckos as they are ground dwelling and when they are trying to catch prey they can ingest the substrate. Impaction is your big risk with using loose substrate its not humidity thats the primary concern.

**IHaveNoIdea** · 10-30-2018, 05:15 PM

It's perfectly fine if you feed your geckos using tweezers. I wouldn't let them hunt on it though. Consider using Arcadia Earth Mix, it's pretty expensive, but much better. And try spraying the warm side (geckos won't get respiratory infection).

**GeckoLeen** · 10-31-2018, 07:54 AM

Tile works best for leos. Easy to clean, and not expensive. You can get it at places like Home Depot. Eco Earth is a little more risky due to possible impaction issues.

**Andi** · 11-05-2018, 03:21 PM

I've decided to do the same. I want a more natural looking set up. I suspect that once the eco earth is completely dry it will do just fine (I have moist hides with sphagnum moss). I'm also planning on keeping their tiles that they use for their warm hides, so the substrate will be more like 60% eco earth / 40% tile.

I actually bought the eco earth today and can't wait to set it up.

**GeCO** · 01-20-2019, 05:12 PM

Eco Earth is a great choice for leopard gecko substrate as it is easily digested (the stuff literally dissolves in water) and stimulates the geckos wild "digging" behavior.

**Elliriyanna** · 01-20-2019, 05:21 PM

There are several impaction cases that have been directly linked to eco earth

**GeckoLeen** · 01-20-2019, 05:57 PM

I believe it's more of a risk to babies or juveniles than to adults. Just feed someplace safe (put insects in a high-sided bowl or tray, so there's no chance of ingestion while they're eating, and it will probably be fine.

**Sg612** · 01-20-2019, 07:06 PM

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Definitely not a good substrate for leopard geckos, especially housed in fish tanks due to low humidity(unless you live somewhere like Florida). If they suffer any level of dehydration impaction can occur. As mentioned ground dwelling are more likely to ingest substrate, while eating food and shed. Eco earth in mouth, lick eyeballs, next thing you know you have abscess above the eye. Mold can be a problem as well.