Leopard gecko substrate

[Derrek97]

I've been wanting to make a naturalistic tank for my leo seeing how she's way over due for a larger tank.

I've ran into a wall for a substrate. I'm currently using slate tile but am looking for something maybe a bit more natural.

Any suggestions? Please no sand or excavator clay.


I'd also like to hear you're input on cracked tile with fine grain play sand underneath and between fragments of tile.

Thanks

 

[Embrace Calamity]

It's an unpopular choice, but I use rocky soil (mixed with a tiny bit of sand, but mostly dirt). I like the natural look of it, and on occasion, she will dig in it, so I like providing her with that option. I kind of like the idea of modeling it after their natural habitat:

~Maggot

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

I've used pieces of slate (or other natural stone) tiles with fine grain sand between the tile pieces many times over the years with great success.

 

[zelda]

Why no excavator clay? It's a good option, and it's natural looking.


I use excavator clay and sand/peat mix for substrate.

The sand/peat mix, is a 50/50 sand/peat(or dirt) mixture.
(I mix it together, then add water till the texture is good. Place the mixture in the tank, press it down firmly, and wait a couple of days untill it's dry.
When ready, it's completely hard, so it's no chanse the animal can become constipated by eating the substrate.)

Both sand/peat mix, and exacavator clay are much like the rocky dessert where the leopard gecko lives in the wild.

 

[Derrek97]

I just don't want to mess with it. I've heard it can be very messy and difficult to work with.

 

[zelda]

I think it's very easy to work with. If you think that is to messy for you, I don't think anything with sand/soil/peat/clay will work for you.

 

[Derrek97]

Aright thanks :biggrin:

And like I said, I've never dealt with excavator clay, I've just heard about other peoples experiences with it.

I'll definitely consider it now.



And not meaning to stray away from the thread topic, but what's the name of that tall grass that i'm seeing in leopard geckos vivs online? Its planted in patches and looks almost like tan plains grass.

 

[Pedro J Gecko]

Hi,
I use tiles on the hot side and corn bedding on the rest , it looks like rocks and it's not harmful for the gecko if it eats it... Cheers, p

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

I'd be careful with corn bedding. Not only is it very unnatural for a leopard gecko to walk on, but it's certainly asking for impaction issues considering the size of the particulate.

 

[Pedro J Gecko]

Hi,
I feed her outside the viv, and I put around three inches deep of the stuff, so it actually feels like a rocky soil...besides If casually it eats some I don't think it will be so bad...

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

Doh! 3 inches of it makes it sound even worse!!! They'd never walk around in 3 inches of substrate in the wild! Do what you choose with your animal, but that's certainly not what I'd recommend.

 

[Pedro J Gecko]

Hello, I am posting a couple pics of how it is...I might not be so thick, besides, Ithink this thicknes makes it easier for her to walk around and I never seen the gecko made any attempts of eating it... Greetings, p

 

[jakehinds]

Hey Embrace, for your dirt substrate, is it compacted down or just loose? I have a big area of tan dirt that dries pretty hard that I was contemplating on using

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Hey Embrace, for your dirt substrate, is it compacted down or just loose? I have a big area of tan dirt that dries pretty hard that I was contemplating on using

Mine's a mix of potting soil, a little sand, and dirt from outside with a natural bit of clay, so it stays loose. You could mix what you have with some organic potting soil to soften it a bit if you decide to go that route.

~Maggot

 

[jakehinds]

Okay, thanks. I may just wet it and press it into the tank and let it bake in the sun to dry, but who knows. Do you recommend heating the dirt inside my oven first to sanitize it?

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Okay, thanks. I may just wet it and press it into the tank and let it bake in the sun to dry, but who knows. Do you recommend heating the dirt inside my oven first to sanitize it?

I didn't. Some people are really uptight about sanitizing everything, but I happen to be one of those who isn't (actually going to be collecting leaf litter and soil to add to my snake's enclosure for the bioactive benefits). But if it'll make you feel better, by all means, sanitize away. Totally up to you. Just make sure it's not in an area that has any pesticides sprayed on or near it.

~Maggot