Shelf Liner: Is there any health risks or other drawbacks?

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I have always preached reptile carpet or butcher paper to my customers and recently I have tried some shelf liner (the rubber non-adhesive type that doesn't have holes in it) in a few tanks. This was brought on due to some toenail incidents with carpet and the environmental impact of paper. So far I really love the ease of cleaning these liners provide.

I have tried tile and found it more difficult to keep clean than carpet. The waste would leak through the cracks between tiles so I was frequently (several times a week) pulling all the tiles out to wash them and the tank floor.

The liner is a wipe away from clean. I can hose it off and sanitize weekly with little effort. My question to beardie owners out there is: What are the problems that you have encountered with shelf liner?

I worry that over time the dragon's nails will pull apart the the rubber leading to health risks. Has anyone encountered these or other issues with shelf liner?

Before I offer any product in my store, I like to know this type of feedback from owners that have tried the product over time. Since I have only had the shelf liners for a few weeks at best, it would be great to have feedback from the owners here.
 

Cammy

Member
The only downside to shelf liner is that it eventually stains from messy poo. However, it's relatively cheap to replace, so it's not that big of a deal that it becomes an eyesore after a year or two. My beardie has been on the same sheet for over a year and a half and I probably won't replace it until Christmas time, if that gives you any idea of how well it's held up for me. There are no health risks to my knowledge. I have not had any issues with my beardie's nails tearing or flaking the rubber. My friend has been using the same stuff (the Duck brand rubber shelf liner) with his beardie he's had longer than I've had mine, and he has not had issues with it either aside from staining.
 

Kalyn876

Sub-Adult Member
I cannot seem to find any without the holes in it? I'm wondering if you could post a picture of the shelf liner you have?

Kalyn
 

Jess

Extreme Poster
I LOVE shelf liner, that was my favorite substrate ever! I wish I could find a 4x2 piece of it. :(

But mine always held up really well. It doesn't come apart very easily: Dudley would sit in this one corner of his viv and try to dig a little "nest" to sleep in, so my shelf liner had tons of huge scratches in that corner, but it never actually broke apart!

Right now, I'm using non-adhesive linoleum and that works well too. It isn't as squishy as shelf liner and it's a little more slippery (Your beardie will get used to walking on it though), but it is heavy duty. You can scrub it with out worrying about ripping it, it won't stain, and you can use it in much larger vivs since you can buy it in any size you want.

Here is my linoleum. I've gotten a few PMs from people asking me how I tiled my viv LOL. It's a great way to get a tiled look, if you can't/don't want to do the whole grouting thing.
DSC01910.jpg


And here is my shelf liner.
DSC00814.jpg


BTW, I always put Velcro in the corners so the bugs can't squeeze under it.
 

lilgreeneyes

Juvie Member
We have tried repticarpet, paper towels and non adhesive shelf liner. I agree with what others have said. I love using the shelf liner and it's cheap to replace. I think I've seen the shelf liner without holes at WalMart.
 

LittleRepieye

Hatchling Member
I had repti-carpet first as well, but found after every potty it would stain and need to be deep cleaned to really get the stain out. I then got non-adhesive shelf liner and I never wanna go back. $6 gives you about 4-6 feet compared to a $20 small piece of reptile carpet. It's so easy to spot clean with a paper towel too. Ive had the same piece since Nov. and it still looks good as new with no holes from the toenails. You can usually find a roll for about $4-$6 at home depot, Lowels(sp?), or Ace. :)
 
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