Excavator clay

[IHaveNoIdea]

Hello, has anyone tried the Excavator clay?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao5pAFc7pfk

I guess it should be safe, right? Considering that it is not loose when it hardens.

 

[JessJohnson87]

It's safe. But it's heavy and hard to clean, that's why most use Styrofoam, great stuff and grout. You can search the DIY sub-forum to see what people have done with it.

 

[IHaveNoIdea]

I guess I would not clean it, I don't see a reason why. If I would then I would do so max twice a year. My gecko poops just on one spot. The thing is, that I'm too lazy to do anything with styrofoam If it really is safe, then I think I'll get one bag to try it.

 

[JessJohnson87]

I was looking through that sub-forum a lot trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my tank. I found a few that used the clay to make backgrounds and floors. You can seal it with an animal safe sealer to keep it water proof so you can wipe the area clean where he poops.

 

[IHaveNoIdea]

I thought I would just leave his poop corner like it is now. I would leave some eco earth there, which I would change every month or so. Maybe he would even appreciate it, because it would smell the same.

 

[JessJohnson87]

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...bitat-phase-1-a.html?highlight=excavator+clay
Thought that might interest you.

Also Creating a Bioactive Leopard Gecko Setup - Gecko Time - Gecko Time

 

[Yoshi'smom]

I tried excavator clay once many years ago with my first leopard gecko. It ended up being the biggest pain in the butt. I think I threw it out after about two or three months and just switched to paper towels and then to ceramic tile. It's relatively safe but just a pain. You're better off spending less money on ceramic tiles. LOL

 

[IHaveNoIdea]

I'm already using eco earth, so I can't see why should it be any worse and it what way. I was using paper towels when Mr. Spanky was very small, but I just didn't like what it looked like. I mostly hand feed him, so loose substrate is not a problem (but I guess I wouldn't use sand anyway). You can see a bit of my terrarium in this topic (and Mr. Spanky) http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm.../79506-leopard-gecko-weight-4.html#post457505

And thanks for those tips, Jess. I will check it out.

 

[Yoshi'smom]

Ceramic tile looks great, is a very safe substrate, easy to clean, super inexpensive and holds heat well. I always recommend it. Here's how it looks in my little one's tank:

The set up is a little old as I've added some things for Numinex to climb on and she's loving it. But you get the gist of how it looks a lot more natural.

 

[IHaveNoIdea]

That's a nice terrarium you got there. But I just prefer things to look a bit more natural. These are some fresh photos of mine, but I will make some changes.

I want to get rid of the plastic box and use the snake cave instead. The excavator will be used in the left corner, I guess I will leave the rest as it is. Those stones on the bottom are pieces of granite, they hold warmth very well too.

His favorite hide is the log in the middle, there is a tunnel inside with a granite on the bottom. The box is of course a wet hide and he little cave on the right is nowadays more of a toilet. He is too big to fit inside, but he likes to poop on it.. and at the and of the day, why not.