HELP: Getting conflicting information about reptile carpet

[Sarah727]

Answered thanks

So if you've seen some of my other posts I'm a new Leo owner. I did a good amount of research prior to getting her, though I've had some conflicting info (some resolved) about care and housing. I was told by an employee at the pet store I got my Leo and supplies from that reptile carpet was a good option for "substrate". I've since read some conflicting articles/posts that say it is not a good option. Should I be using something else? Paper towels, eco-earth? ect

 

[Hilde]

There's a sticky thread, at the top of this forum, which discusses the various substrates. It should help you figure out what's best for the gecko.
Link: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...ues-/79618-real-leopard-gecko-substrates.html

 

[Sarah727]

Thank you!

 

[Seth9999]

I use tile for half, conducts heat real well. Reptile carpet for a small part. Reptile carpet washed every week , is fine. Some times they eat in bowl, tile or off carpet. Tile does work well with the uth, it holds heat more. Keeps temp, steady. But Then I like my two sleep on soft carpet, or soft new Zealand bed made of moss . My boy does like eat eco earth, sand, and piece moss. So I sucked that right up with vacuum, except beding. hard head little guy.

 

[GeckoFanboy]

I used repti-carpet for the last 6 years of my old geckos life. Now that I have a new leo though, I have ditched the carpet. Why?

It gets nasty dirty from calcium powder and bug poop. Plus, when your gecko poops on it, it leaves a stain, which means that feces is left in the carpet, which over time will gather bacteria. People say you can wash the carpet, but there's no way I'm going to toss it in the wash with clothes, LOL, and it's hard to get it really clean by hand washing it.

Also, my gecko use to get his teeth snagged on it when catching crickets...not really good for his jaw.

I went with 1/4' ceramic tile this time. Measure the bottom of your tank, and go to Lowes and have them custom cut it for you. Just make sure to check it with a ruler before you leave, and make sure it's just a tad under measurement so you can fit it in your tank without problems. Tile works great with a UTH, and it's super easy to clean. Just pick the poop up with a tissue, and take a moist paper towel and buff the remaining residue up. It's that easy, and you'll always have a clean tank.

 

[Sarah727]

That sounds great. The tile will probably look better too. I was a little concerned about the carpet not conducting heat well from the utr. Thank you!

 

[Seth9999]

The green carpet can be washed with little bleach on small cycle in wash machine. Comes out brand new. Geckos tend find one place make there bathroom, mine use corner. So I neatly fold paper towel up place it there. Witch with carpet or tile, I would rather them knot go on ether. Paper towel soaks it up.

 

[GeckoFanboy]

I was a little concerned about the carpet not conducting heat well from the utr. Thank you!

The carpet will let the heat go through, but I don't think it conducts as well as ceramic tile. Sometimes it's difficult to get the carpet to lay perfectly flat. The other thing I hated about it, is it never accurately comes in the same size. It's always a bit too big for the tank and has to be slightly trimmed (my experience). Some folks love the carpet, and like I said, I used it for the last 6 years of my last gecko's life, but it does get dirty and stinky. If you don't mind trying to wash it clean, go for it, but now that I have ceramic tile, I don't think I'll ever go back to repti-carpet (and I have a couple extra pieces of it still). Also, let your leo's poop dry hard, first...it's easier to pick up (less mess). But it is wet when it comes out of him, and does stain the flooring. Much easier to clean that stain up with a moist paper towel. With repti carpet, even if you pick the poop up, you still have fecal matter embedded in the carpet, and won't get it out unless you wash it. I guess you just have to decide which is more practical for you...the carpet or tile.

My gecko poops in the same corner twice a day. I let it dry. Remove it with a tissue. Then wipe the spot clean with a wet paper towel. It's so easy to clean. Maybe every 4-5 months, remove everything from the tank and give it all a good cleaning.

Here's my new tank layout. I just ordered a new moist hide (center), as I feel this one is too small. He hasn't used it yet though, as I've only had him a week, and he hasn't shed yet. His warm hide is on the left, and I rarely if ever see him in the cool hide at all (which is around 75-78°). He likes his warm hide best. As you can see, my entire floor is tile. It's just two pieces, and as you can see, one piece is a tad shorter than the other, but like I said, don't get the tile cut too perfectly or it might not fit into your tank. Take an accurate measurement, then just subtract a small bit from it for the overall size.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Textured ceramic tile or slate works well as a substrate. It looks great and is trouble-free. Make sure it's no thicker than 3/8 inch.

Some people use a thin layer of well-washed sand to fill in the grooves beneath the tiles to eliminate hot spots.