Is repti sand worse than reg. play sand for substrate?

[Kyle_S]

I am planning on getting a Leopard Gecko and I am in the processes of planning and I would like to know what the best substrate would be I was thinking half sand and half reptile carpet. So the sand would be the heated part and the carpet would be the feeding portion....


Thanks!

 

[Turtlestork]

Repti sand is not worth the money. I tried it. Regular playsand is a lot easier as you don't need to sterilize it only toss it when it becomes old and gross. But I also recommend not using any sand as sand is just not a good substrate as it becomes hard to clean after a while. I have seen people use natural slate tiles in their tanks with great results, including breeding behaviors. I would recommend these.


TS

 

[Darren5531]

One thought on using tile is that it is ceramic so it absorbs a lot of heat quickly. I would recommend looking into Jurassic sand I know a lot of members here use it and say it is great. Paper towels or all reptile carpet also would work.

I would recommend reading through here for any specific questions you have about leopard geckos. Also the search function on this site is very helpful when researching.

Leopard Geckos | and other Eublepharis - Geckos Unlimited

-Darren

 

[Turtlestork]

I am not sure exactly what is bad about tile absorbing heat. I think this may even be better for leos as this way you can use less wattage heating device and then you can help save our environment.

 

[cliff_f]

I use play sand and it seems to absorbs heat pretty well. I also use a a uth and I put a sandstone rock where the uth is and that absorbs alot of heat for the to lay on if they want.

 

[Kyle_S]

Thanks but I think I am actually going with a crested gecko!

 

[revgsp0t]

sort of along the same lines: i am going with the tile option, but i can only seem to find slate tile in pallets, and as i am not planning on refinishing my entire apartment in slate tile, i was wondering if anyone knew anything about whether or not terracotta tiles would work. i can find those for $.88 a piece and they're unglazed, which i assume is a good thing. any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[cliff_f]

Tile is great, if your lizards are indigenous to your bathroom!

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

Actually, unglazed is a bad thing as the terra cotta is porous and will be nearly impossible to get truly clean and will allow bacteria and whatnot to grow. If you're going to use tile, use something that can really be cleaned properly.

 

[revgsp0t]

alrighty, thanks for the input!