My new substrate

[SafariWinter]

Hey I just bought some eco earth for my 2 girls and my baby boy and I was wondering y'alls point of view on eco earth they eat from my hand so I now they will not eat is I still have the carpets in case something goes wrong thanks

 

[Yoshi'smom]

I would highly advice against using eco earth as a substrate. Even if you hand feed, you can't always be sure that they won't see something else as possible food and try to grab it and get a mouthfull.
Also leopard geckos taste their environment as they walk. They can easily lick up the eco earth.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Some people use packed down Eco Earth, but only in the moist hide.

Paper towels and/or rough textured ceramic tiles (or thin slate) make ideal substrates for leopard geckos. 3/8 inch tile conducts heat well, looks good, and is permanent and inexpensive.

 

[kholtme]

For a loose substrate i believe eco earth is one of the safest bets, but why chance it? I prefer it over moss in a moist hide, but i prefer paper towels over both.

 

[SafariWinter]

Okay so what will it does dose it cause impaction

 

[acpart]

It's always possible that a loose substrate will cause impaction. I have nearly all of my leopard geckos on ceramic tile. However, I do have one enclosure with a substrate that's a mix of mostly eco-earth with a small amount of desert sand and leaf litter. There are also dermastid beetles, super worms and crickets in the enclosure. The two geckos are fine, each weighing over 70 grams and have been in that enclosure for about 4 years. There is a lot of information in other forums and in Facebook groups about using bioactive setups with a variety of reptiles. It can be done and it can work, but there's always some slight risk, less risk if the gecko is healthy.

Aliza

 

[kholtme]

Like Aliza said, loose substrate can be done. But for beginners i suggest tile or paper towels.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

If you have purchased a "brick" of Eco Earth coco fiber and added water to hydrate it, you'll clearly see how absorbent it is. What if a leo gobbles some with a cricket? Then the coco fiber enters the leo's moist mouth and throat and expands some. That would plug the gecko's windpipe. The gecko would stop breathing.

 

[SafariWinter]

No winter ate some yesterday and she is fine no impaction

 

[kholtme]

Its not going to happen every time, but the chances are high. We are just trying to warn you.

 

[GeckoGuy2142]

I highly recommend ceramic tiles. Not only do they eliminate the risk of compaction, but they look great, conduct heat well, and are very easy to clean. We have tile in all five of our enclosures and I love it.

 

[SafariWinter]

My girls are fine with eco earth they have been on it for 4 days and they are still good and right now I can't afford tiles if any thing I'll go back to carpet

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hey I just bought some eco earth for my 2 girls and my baby boy and I was wondering y'alls point of view on eco earth they eat from my hand so I now they will not eat is I still have the carpets in case something goes wrong thanks

My girls are fine with eco earth they have been on it for 4 days and they are still good and right now I can't afford tiles if any thing I'll go back to carpet

Thanks for asking how we feel about Eco Earth as a substrate. Some of us have had leos for years. Most of us suggest paper towels or tile. Paper towels are cheap. For maybe $10 you can buy tiles for their enclosures. It's well worth it.

Since you are new to leos and have had them on Eco Earth for only 4 days, please don't blow off these suggestions.

Reptile carpet holds bacteria from the urine and the feces. Leos often get their claws and teeth stuck in it.

Once something "goes wrong" it is sometimes too late. I have seen some GU leos die from impaction.

You've got
Spike - 5 weeks old
Safari - 7 months old
Winter - 11 months old

I would really hate to see anything happen to any of them. Even caring for a single young leo is a big job.

Some of us have made husbandry mistakes with our leos. Some of our leos have passed away prematurely because of our inexperience. Why we share advice is to keep you from making the same mistakes.

Do you know that well-cared for leos can live into their 20s? Leos become "adults" at about 18 months old. The care they receive when they are young determines how long they will live.

 

[SafariWinter]

Okay but where can I get the tiles and is there any thing else that I need to know about there needs they eeat mainly meal worms of crickets and at one point super worms and they have a meal worm bowl and a water dish and 3 hides

 

[SafariWinter]

Spikes tank

Winter and safaris tank

 

[Yoshi'smom]

Okay but where can I get the tiles and is there any thing else that I need to know about there needs they eeat mainly meal worms of crickets and at one point super worms and they have a meal worm bowl and a water dish and 3 hides

You can buy individual tiles at Home Depot for a few dollars a piece. Some are even cheaper. I'll bet the tiles will be less money than you spent on the ecoearth. I think I spent less than $5 for three 12in x12in tiles.

 

[GeckoGuy2142]

Lowe's or Home Depot have tiles for pretty cheap. Lowe's will cut them to size for you. And, the tiles will last practically forever. They can be wiped clean and you won't have to replace them, saving you money.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Okay but where can I get the tiles and is there any thing else that I need to know about there needs they eeat mainly meal worms of crickets and at one point super worms and they have a meal worm bowl and a water dish and 3 hides

Please take a few minutes to check out this video. Click Leopard Gecko Setup, not the arrow, for the updated version.

• No supplements in the enclosure at all
• By omitting a background your leo will have more ground space to explore. Some leos will climb a background, but then fall off and could get hurt.

 

[kholtme]

My tiles for my 40 gallon breeder were less than $10 to buy and cut. Its well worth it just for peace of mind. I suggest you look into it. It is your leo, but we all would hate for something to happen to it. They could be find on loose substrate for a long time, but it only takes one time for a disaster to happen.

 

[me3rhymes]

Eco earth is usually not a problem with choking and impaction, and it keeps moisture in well. It's easy to clean and doesn't smell, so I don't think you'll have many problems with it.