Zen Habitat substrate options

I did some research on the forums already, but I can’t seem to get a generalized consensus specific to the Zen. I moved Gobi into his new 4’x2’x2’ Zen Habitat (thanks Karrie) and I love it! However, I don’t know what substrate to use. I did have him on paper towels in the last setup because I knew it wouldn’t be his forever home. Could I have thoughts on:

Tile
Non-adhesive shelf liner
The mat offered by Zen Habitats

Ease of cleanup? Ease of setup? How to measure for tile? Ease of buggies hiding beneath?

Thanks!

See:
Choosing The Best Substrate for a Bearded Dragon
The Best (And Safest) Substrates for Bearded Dragons

I'm using non-adhesive (vinyl?) shelf liner (taped seams & borders with duct or painters tape) under 12x24 ceramic tile.
I believe Karrie uses the same except she uses paper towel under her tile.

This size tiles should fit snugly flush. Size is nominal; they're a little smaller.
Fill in borders with wooden strips if necessary.

Setup & cleanup are very easy, and you can remove the border strips & remove/replace tiles if/when necessary (so far, it hasn't been).

Karrie likes vinegar/water 50/50 for cleanup; I like Nature's Miracle for Stinky Dragons.

I've not had any issues with bugs getting underneath; I feed dubias, BSFL, and worms in a dish they can't crawl out of. If one did escape the bowl and being eaten, it'd likely die within a couple days--no problem. I have no experience with crickets--dubias have better nutritional value, don't stink, don't chirp.
feeder insect nutrition

I actually didn’t think of using the shelf liner under the tile! Smart! Now I guess my next question, is that if I have my tank measurement as 4x2x2 should I have tile cut to those lengths or will they end up being slightly smaller than that?

MrSpectrum":3rgwnvsl said:

This size tiles should fit snugly flush. Size is nominal; they're a little smaller.
Fill in borders with wooden strips if necessary.

Click to expand...

Mine measure 11⅝" x 23½". Choose your tile, then check the box or bring a tape measure (the specs on Home Despot don't give actual dimensions).

We measured the tank then went to Home Depot picked out the textured tile and figured the tile pieces we needed - husband cut the tile to fit the tank - we have one narrow piece at the end of the tank going width wise that fits right in in there I use thick shop paper towels under my tile --- cheap from Walmart - dubias that escape the bowl (if) the small ones dont last long they get eaten and the X large end up behind the platform in Hiccups tank - I just go in and get them if he doesnt eat them --- the rest of the bugs/ worms are put in a glass bowl and rarely get out -- if they do I usually find them wandering the tank --
Karrie

Unfortunately neither the Lowe’s or Home Depot near my house cut tile I found some ceramic slate tile 11.5”x23.5” making it just too big. Not sure what to do now. I don’t have a tile cutting saw and really wouldn’t trust myself to make straight cuts anyways...

yes you do need a tile saw to cut it - we bought one from Harbor Freight for pretty cheap - regular saws will leave jagged edges --- you can use textured non adhesive shelf liner -- cleaned the same way and insects cannot get underneath - again cut it to the size of your tank
Karrie

I did get the shelf liner and cut that to size. Also big brother is coming to my rescue and letting me borrow his wet saw So until this weekend I’ll just use the shelf liner. Thanks guys!

I know what you're going through; I found the same here, so I designed my enclosure around the tiles, so they wouldn't need cutting.

[EDIT]

kprnz18":1599e9w1 said:

Unfortunately neither the Lowe’s or Home Depot near my house cut tile I found some ceramic slate tile 11.5”x23.5” making it just too big.

Click to expand...

What are the inside dimensions of a Zen enclosure?
Which way is it too big; installing the tiles this way |||| or this way ═ ═ ?
The first way, it'll measure 46 x 23.5
The second way, it'll measure 47 x 23
Were you to use 12" square tiles (assuming 11.5 x 11.5) it'll measure 46 x 23
[/EDIT]

If none of those will work, are there any real tile stores in your area? They're likely to be a bit more expensive (or not, if you can find leftovers/odd/discontinued tiles they'd like to get rid of) but they may be willing to cut a few (4?) tiles for you.

If you can beg, borrow, rent, or barter the use of a tile cutter (not a tile saw), scoring & breaking tile is very easy and accurate (check out YT for a video on cutting tile). For 24" tiles, you're going to need a BIG cutter.

Try Craigs List and/or Angie's List for tile installers, call a few up, and explain your situation with exactly what you want/need from them. You might get lucky!