Substrate Upgrade!

[LittleCheese23]

Hi y’all, I am about to upgrade my geck’s substrate from the Repti Carpet to some form of slate or tiles. I found these on Home Depot’s website, what do y’all think about this? I’m sure I would have to seal in the cracks with something but I’m open to any opinions. Thanks! :biggrin:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Jeffrey...-Stone-Mosaic-Wall-Floor-Tile-98995/207135962

 

[Herpin Man]

Unless you grout or silicone between the tiles, it may be hard to clean.
Personally, I don't see the value in using tile as a substrate, except to create a basking spot. They can't dig in it or anything. It would be easier to forego substrate altogether.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

The mosaic tiles you picture would be difficult to clean.

Instead I suggest textured ceramic tiles so your leo has something to grip! Textured ceramic tiles are attractive! They can be found at Home Depot's or Lowe's.

 

[Curt Hatt]

Look on Amazon. You can get slate basking stones or cheese cutting stone that you can piece together.
I have 8 4”x4” slate coasters coming in to fit together for a hot side basking area. Was under $12.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Look on Amazon. You can get slate basking stones or cheese cutting stone that you can piece together.
I have 8 4”x4” slate coasters coming in to fit together for a hot side basking area. Was under $12.

That's very helpful, Curt! Have you some Amazon links for those?

 

[Curt Hatt]

I don’t think you can share Amazon links.
Just look up slate coasters and slate basking (turtles).
Or even slate stones for slate stone pieces or cheese trays.
My coasters are Trademark Innovation pieces. No velvet bottom piece. Just tabs.

 

[Marillion]

I myself went to the local landscape supply store and picked up some different size slate flat stones. I used the ones that worked in my enclosure. You can get some pretty small ones too. Price was very cheap. Bit less than the Amazon option but there is more hassle in going there, picking them out...etc. Just another option.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Look on Amazon. You can get slate basking stones or cheese cutting stone that you can piece together.
I have 8 4”x4” slate coasters coming in to fit together for a hot side basking area. Was under $12.

View attachment 48418

I don’t think you can share Amazon links.
Just look up slate coasters and slate basking (turtles).
Or even slate stones for slate stone pieces or cheese trays.
My coasters are Trademark Innovation pieces. No velvet bottom piece. Just tabs.

I myself went to the local landscape supply store and picked up some different size slate flat stones. I used the ones that worked in my enclosure. You can get some pretty small ones too. Price was very cheap. Bit less than the Amazon option but there is more hassle in going there, picking them out...etc. Just another option.

[MENTION=66240]Animallover562[/MENTION]

Make sure slate is about 3/8 inch thick. Use your heat mat underneath the glass.

[MENTION=67714]Gutler[/MENTION]

 

[Curt Hatt]

Here is my coaster slate area ( used 7 j and I bought a set of 3” to 5” single stone. Was $12 for 8 coasters and $22 for the bag of slates stones. I’m going bioactive soon but all this stuff will carry over. I peeled off velvet feet off bottom of coasters. I have an Arcadia DHP above them and a under heat mat below this side. It is 91 degrees f on this side and 71 degrees f on other side of tank. Stones are 90 degrees according to heat gun.
She was basking on them a lot last night!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

View attachment 48426

Here is my coaster slate area ( used 7 j and I bought a set of 3” to 5” single stone. Was $12 for 8 coasters and $22 for the bag of slates stones. I’m going bioactive soon but all this stuff will carry over. I peeled off velvet feet off bottom of coasters. I have an Arcadia DHP above them and a under heat mat below this side. It is 91 degrees f on this side and 71 degrees f on other side of tank. Stones are 90 degrees according to heat gun.
She was basking on them a lot last night!

Thanks so much, Curt! I shared Amazon links recently on my David Attenborough thread in GU's Off Topic sub-forum. Those Amazon links posted just fine.

[MENTION=66240]Animallover562[/MENTION]

[MENTION=67714]Gutler[/MENTION]

 

[Gutler]

Look on Amazon. You can get slate basking stones or cheese cutting stone that you can piece together.
I have 8 4”x4” slate coasters coming in to fit together for a hot side basking area. Was under $12.

These look perfect for my leo Ignatius's tank i've only had him 2 weeks and he has already made a mess of his reptile carpet and the tile looks so much easier to remove and clean.