Can I really use Tile?

[apz23]

We are setting up our tank and preparing for our juvenile beardie. Several people have recommended tile as a substrate. We are considering this because I have some ceramic tiles laying around as well as tumbled marble tiles. Is this really a safe option? Shouldn't the floor be a bit softer?

I have also gotten mixed opinions on a red light (about 50W) for night time. Should I got with a night light or not?

BTW, this forum has been very helpful. Thanks!!!

 

[citrusdragon]

Tile is great, I've used it in the past. The red night light is a big no no. As long as your night temps don't drop below 65 at night the dragon will benefit from the cooler temperatures. If heat is needed at night you might consider a ceramic heat emitter.

Merry Christmas

Jeff

 

[LQDragons]

tile is a very good substrant, cleans & sanitizes easily, looks good, keeps your dragons nails in check. And the red light, no, if you need heat at night(below 65*F) then use a CHE (ceramic heat emitter)

your fast Jeff

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Like the posters above said, the red light is not neccessary(beardies do not sleep well with them). In fact, beardies sleep better with no light at all.

I agree tile is the best way to go .

 

[RioReptiles]

Tumbled marble is my favorite. It looks nice and is easy to clean in the dish washer. I have a couple 12 x 12 slate tiles in each viv under the basking light and the tumbled marble in smaller tiles around it. I've even built platforms with the 6 x 6 tumbled marble using 1 x 1 mosaic tiles and construction adhesive. They look like little beds. They ususally end up under them and not on top of them though.

 

[whiskersmom]

[Moved to Enclosures from General Discussion]

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

seadooz...I'd love to see your setup !!

Dawn

 

[RioReptiles]

They are really simple. I didn't know what I was going to do with the tile at first, I just bought a couple boxes of different size. The little dragons make a mess all the time but the dust buster takes care of that. For daily clean ups I use baby wipes that are the pull out kind in the round container from wal mart and I pour in about a half a cup of Nolvasan solution to make Nolvasan wipes. On the cool side I don't even have tile. I buy those bar mop sized towels and lay them down the side.

This is Vyllyns bedroom

This is one of the kids rooms until I build another one

I need to get more of the marble or travertine, the slate falls apart and helps make a little mess but isn't too bad if you leave it alone.

 

[apz23]

Thank you everyone... This forum has really been great. And the viv with the tumbled marble looks awesome. I am so going that route. I'll post pics when I get it set up.