Substrate help.

[Silvonas]

Okay... I know people are going to say don't do it or nothing is safe, but... i am still going to read every post and listen to advise. That out of the way...

Sarsis, my leo, was raised on paper towels and when he was given to me I got him some cali-sand when I got the money and cleaned his cage. He loved it. He loved to dig in the sand all the time. Heck he would even cover the little burrow in is cave on the warm side just to re dig it out. Kept him with this kind of sand for over a year, changing it out monthly. Well, I've been doing a lot of reading and now am worried that he will become impacted for the sand, but don't want to stop him from digging like he loves to. I always keep the temps within the range they say to and no matter what i do can not seem to get the humid level below 60% (think might have to do with where i live). Anyway. I am thinking about getting the tile, but what should i do about Sarsis' love of digging?

 

[orbela]

Okay... I know people are going to say don't do it or nothing is safe, but... i am still going to read every post and listen to advise. That out of the way...

Sarsis, my leo, was raised on paper towels and when he was given to me I got him some cali-sand when I got the money and cleaned his cage. He loved it. He loved to dig in the sand all the time. Heck he would even cover the little burrow in is cave on the warm side just to re dig it out. Kept him with this kind of sand for over a year, changing it out monthly. Well, I've been doing a lot of reading and now am worried that he will become impacted for the sand, but don't want to stop him from digging like he loves to. I always keep the temps within the range they say to and no matter what i do can not seem to get the humid level below 60% (think might have to do with where i live). Anyway. I am thinking about getting the tile, but what should i do about Sarsis' love of digging?

I think you should remove the sand with tile or paper tile or any non lose substrate.
Have you mated your Leo it is common for them to dig when eggs are forming. But if she isnt then they do not really have a need to dig much only occasionally but I would rather entertain a Leo in another form then expose it to harmful substance which can easily turn to death. I highly doubt you would want to lose your Leo for something that was preventable.
What I notice my Leo has moss in his humid hide and she digs there for her digging. Maybe that is a safer alternative.

 

[mecoat]

My Daff used to like digging in his corn cob pellets (which he's still on, but people here don't like that he's on that), but then he went on holidday and spent time on part coconut husk, part wood. He loved the coconut husk so much he moved it from one side of the viv to inside the hide where he wanted it (digging out the wood from under the hide in the process). We think he carried it a piece at a time, but can't be completely sure. He's digging less at the moment, but it's winter, so we'll have to see what the spring brings.

 

[Silvonas]

Sarsis is male so I would think that HE does not have eggs inside of him and I have not bred him since I have owned him. Which I stated in the first post that Sarsis is a he.... and removing the lose substrate does not help me figure out what to do about his love of digging. He just seem to enjoy digging and trying to tunnel under is warm side cave I use for his hide. I have to yet anything else he enjoys doing besides trying to crawl under my blankets when I am holding him; as I am normally on my bed when doing so. Even then he tries to move the blankets with his little paws/claws like he is digging.

I have thought about trying to rig something up so that it is slate tile(or the like) on top with sand (or something digable like a sand/soil mix) with the titles held up so that he can tunnel under them with the only way to get to the sand underneath is through his hide he loves to dig under. This would keep the chance or him eating the substrate while hunt low. Although anytime he gets any of it in his mouth he tends to spit it back out.

 

[orbela]

My leo is not a digger but my set up is two inches of eco earth with tile on top I have a few opening for plants but there is enough were my leo digs but underneath seam sort of dangerous with eco earth and that seems pretty solid once moisturized with sand seems kind of dangerous since it react sort of like water. Maybe you can make support columns underneath just to make sure your leo does not get trap in case it collapse. If you decide to go sand instead of some other substrate then always check for impaction good luck hope to see more pictures. Of how you build it.

 

[Silvonas]

Well I had someone tell me about this stuff Zoo Med makes call Excavator Clay I think the is diggable, is more like the harder dirt leos have in the wild. The problem being is that I don't really have income right now. I am most likely going to ask my mom for the money for tiles when his substrate needs cleaned again. I do thank everyone for their tips and advice. I am trying to get an idea of what to do when I can get the money to get him set up in a proper 20gal long with rock and such. He seems happy right now, well besides when he is pissed when i have to move things to clean.

 

[orbela]

I worked at Home Depot they have sample tile to take maybe get small increments of sample tile they even have nice looking wood tile they vary from 5"x3 1/2"x.5" you may have to cut some on your own. But if you purchase some slate of tile it is inexpensive I believe it's 12"x12" for $5 the expensive on there are cheaper and better looking that go for as low as $0.50 you can also try lowes and in the Midwest they have Menards

 

[orbela]

I would be interested on what people think of excavator clay

 

[Silvonas]

I remember Menards... I grew up in Indiana.
But yea, i know how low priced the tile can be, it's a matter of getting to the store, but it will be a while as I just changes his substrate a about a week ago.

 

[orbela]

Okay god luck with your Leopard gecko, they are hardy animals but be sure to monitor him for sand impaction. He might have it at the moment but not show symptoms weeks or months later.
Hope to see picture of your Leo's terrarium and your Leo himself.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I worked at Home Depot they have sample tile to take maybe get small increments of sample tile they even have nice looking wood tile they vary from 5"x3 1/2"x.5" you may have to cut some on your own. But if you purchase some slate of tile it is inexpensive I believe it's 12"x12" for $5 the expensive on there are cheaper and better looking that go for as low as $0.50 you can also try lowes and in the Midwest they have Menards

I remember Menards... I grew up in Indiana.
But yea, i know how low priced the tile can be, it's a matter of getting to the store, but it will be a while as I just changes his substrate a about a week ago.

Silvonas ~

I totally agree with orbela. Textured slate or ceramic tile makes an excellent and risk-free substrate. It is attractive, permanent, a good heat conductor for an under tank heater, and is easy to clean.

12 x 12s are a great size...fewer seams.

For digging possibilities try this great hide:
http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Repti...-1&keywords=zoo+med+repti-shelter+3+in+1+cave

The lower section of this hide is deep enough to accommodate 2 inches of moss or cocopeat substrate.

Using sand or other particulate substrates always runs the risk of impaction.

For information on a severe and fatal sand impaction, click: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...32-my-leo-peach-her-fight-sand-impaction.html