Drache613":1rsixdb0 said:
Hello,
Yes, it is tricky to find just the right substrate!
What we have done is simply add a large water dish that he can't knock over that sits
away from the heater but can be moved to be on top of the heater when shedding. It
has worked for as long as we have had him.
Let us know what you decide on!
Tracie
Hey Tracie!
After emailing the lady from reptifiles, I came up with something for substrate.
She likes to mix playsand, organic topsoil, and reptisoil, layer with sphagnum moss, and change out every 3 months.
I liked that; except for the reptisoil part, which I looked into.
Reptisoil is $20 per 24qt bag online, and $30+ for shipping. It isn't in store near me. I would need 2 bags each time, so I would end up spending $70+ every three months on dirt. And, it would only be one part to the substrate, it would only be 1/3 of it!!
I was thinking though; maybe it is pricy since it is a specific mixture, and it is probably more regulated for reptiles- nope.
It is a mix of peat moss, soil, sand and carbon, and isn't too well regulated;
One amazon reviewer:
"Update: I have been using this for several years with good results but the latest batch is full of moth larvae. They have matured and taken over my basement. Now spending a small fortune on moth traps. A box which includes six traps is FILLED weekly. It is too late for me but if you buy this stuff make sure to microwave in batches to kill off the moths."
and then apparently, it has a new "formula" that has sharp pieces of wood in it too...
So the money isn't even getting something better than regular soil.
So yeah, anyway,
I am going to mix organic topsoil, sand, coconut fiber, and layer with sphagnum moss, and change out every 3 months, as i came up with, with the reptifiles gal
But it is nice; all items are cheap; $5.10 for the sand, $6.99 for the moss, $7.49 for the coconut fiber. And it is effective as well; holds humidity, and doesn't require a drainage layer!!
It is still much more of a hassle to buy, mix and add the substrate, plus adding water 1-2 times a week and stirring, plus rinse and repeat every 3 months.
I am glad the felt and water bowl work well for you; there is definitely a risk in my mind using loose substrate, no matter what you choose, so I wish I could keep my precious reptile carpet :lol:
It's why I have my BD on a textured PVC mat, too
Only thing I need to find out, though, is an organic, additive free, fertilizer free topsoil I can pick up at home depot or lowes... I asked about it in another post, maybe you have an idea?
Just thought I would update ya!