Best substrate? And appropriate age to use substrate??

[Gyrffinthedragon]

I need help picking a substrate. I’ve heard so many things about substrate all the way from dont use it to do use it. I’ve heard soft play sand and topsoil. I’ve heard just play sand. I’ve heard the Australian desert sand is good. So I need opinions and expertise. Also what age can you use substrate. Please help

 

[smaugthebeardie3756]

The biggest concern with loose substrates is impaction from ingesting too much while eating. Calcium sand is also bad because it is basically Tums so it lowers the acidity of the stomach causing issues with proper digestion, as well as clumping more and having a higher chance of impaction. Babies are more susceptible to impaction due to smaller digestive tracts and poor accuracy when eating. If you won't be feeding them on the substrate, it isn't as much of an issue. I would steer clear until your dragon is about 10-12 inches long. A 70/30 mix of organic topsoil free from fertilizers and washed play sand is good, and you can add some excavator clay to help it hold burrows better if you can find it but it isn't necessary. The Australian sand is good but a lot more expensive. Topsoil/sand is perfectly fine and cheaper.

 

[Gyrffinthedragon]

The biggest concern with loose substrates is impaction from ingesting too much while eating. Calcium sand is also bad because it is basically Tums so it lowers the acidity of the stomach causing issues with proper digestion, as well as clumping more and having a higher chance of impaction. Babies are more susceptible to impaction due to smaller digestive tracts and poor accuracy when eating. If you won't be feeding them on the substrate, it isn't as much of an issue. I would steer clear until your dragon is about 10-12 inches long. A 70/30 mix of organic topsoil free from fertilizers and washed play sand is good, and you can add some excavator clay to help it hold burrows better if you can find it but it isn't necessary. The Australian sand is good but a lot more expensive. Topsoil/sand is perfectly fine and cheaper.

Yeah my dragon is about 13 inches long and I feed him live insects outside of the viv in a separate tub. But I do put salads in his viv for snacking though out the day.

 

[Willowww]

The biggest concern with loose substrates is impaction from ingesting too much while eating. Calcium sand is also bad because it is basically Tums so it lowers the acidity of the stomach causing issues with proper digestion, as well as clumping more and having a higher chance of impaction. Babies are more susceptible to impaction due to smaller digestive tracts and poor accuracy when eating. If you won't be feeding them on the substrate, it isn't as much of an issue. I would steer clear until your dragon is about 10-12 inches long. A 70/30 mix of organic topsoil free from fertilizers and washed play sand is good, and you can add some excavator clay to help it hold burrows better if you can find it but it isn't necessary. The Australian sand is good but a lot more expensive. Topsoil/sand is perfectly fine and cheaper.

I have washed play sand but I can’t find the topsoil anywhere, do u happen to have any links

 

[smaugthebeardie3756]

I have washed play sand but I can’t find the topsoil anywhere, do u happen to have any links

GARDEN LOGIC 1 cu. ft. Top Soil TOP1G - The Home Depot

Growing beautiful lawns and flourishing flower beds always starts with the ground up. Whether you're just filling holes to re-seed lawn blemishes, this outdoor all-purpose top soil is a go-to for any project that requires repairing holes or fixing bald spots. Top soil is one of the most...

www.homedepot.com

Something like this from Home Depot or whatever home improvement store you have near you works. You just want it to be free from chemical fertilizers and plant food, so nothing that says potting soil or garden soil or anything.

 

[Willowww]

GARDEN LOGIC 1 cu. ft. Top Soil TOP1G - The Home Depot

Growing beautiful lawns and flourishing flower beds always starts with the ground up. Whether you're just filling holes to re-seed lawn blemishes, this outdoor all-purpose top soil is a go-to for any project that requires repairing holes or fixing bald spots. Top soil is one of the most...

www.homedepot.com

Something like this from Home Depot or whatever home improvement store you have near you works. You just want it to be free from chemical fertilizers and plant food, so nothing that says potting soil or garden soil or anything.

Thank you!! So excited to see my beardie digging around I feel like these types of substrates have such bad rep but I know my beardie will love it!

 

[Gyrffinthedragon]

I need help picking a substrate. I’ve heard so many things about substrate all the way from dont use it to do use it. I’ve heard soft play sand and topsoil. I’ve heard just play sand. I’ve heard the Australian desert sand is good. So I need opinions and expertise. Also what age can you use substrate. Please help

Update: I went with tile!

 

[KarrieRee]

You can get some thick shop towels from Walmart to put under your tile to catch the watery urate -

 

[FatalTrip]

GARDEN LOGIC 1 cu. ft. Top Soil TOP1G - The Home Depot

Growing beautiful lawns and flourishing flower beds always starts with the ground up. Whether you're just filling holes to re-seed lawn blemishes, this outdoor all-purpose top soil is a go-to for any project that requires repairing holes or fixing bald spots. Top soil is one of the most...

www.homedepot.com

Something like this from Home Depot or whatever home improvement store you have near you works. You just want it to be free from chemical fertilizers and plant food, so nothing that says potting soil or garden soil or anything.

Is this substrate safe for beardies? Might use it next time I clean is why i ask.

 

[smaugthebeardie3756]

Is this substrate safe for beardies? Might use it next time I clean is why i ask.

Yeah that would be fine mixed with some playsand, like a 50/50 mix. You just want to make sure the soil doesn't have any added chemical fertilizers or anything. The sand helps keep it a little aerated so it's easier to dig and it's closer to their native desert soil than the topsoil alone.

 

[FatalTrip]

Yeah that would be fine mixed with some playsand, like a 50/50 mix. You just want to make sure the soil doesn't have any added chemical fertilizers or anything. The sand helps keep it a little aerated so it's easier to dig and it's closer to their native desert soil than the topsoil alone.

Will it say chemical free or what should I look for? I will be buying your recommendations, just want to be safe if something is sold out

 

[smaugthebeardie3756]

It should have a list of ingredients on the bag. It might say something like fertilizer free, and you definitely want topsoil and not potting soil or garden soil or anything. No added nutrients or any chemical sounding stuff in the ingredients.