Making a topsoil/play sand mix for loose substrate in bearded dragon enclosure?

[umbrezon]

Hi all! I'm looking for some help as I'm confused with how to do loose substrate for my beardie. I'm getting my 4x2x2 this weekend and wanted to use loose substrate as my beardie is on non adhesive shelf liner and I want to give him more enrichment.

However, I'm a little confused atm with if there is anything I need to do to the mixture or if I can directly throw in half play sand (this is the brand I'm getting Quikrete Brown Play Sand 50 lb - Ace Hardware) and the organic top soil (Ace All Purpose Top Soil 0.75 cu ft - Ace Hardware). Is there anything I need to do to this stuff before I throw it in? Do I need to add water? I am not looking to do bioactive right now, just looking to do some loose substrate along with maybe adding a couple safe plants for him in the tank.

Thanks!

 

[KarrieRee]

Hi all! I'm looking for some help as I'm confused with how to do loose substrate for my beardie. I'm getting my 4x2x2 this weekend and wanted to use loose substrate as my beardie is on non adhesive shelf liner and I want to give him more enrichment.

However, I'm a little confused atm with if there is anything I need to do to the mixture or if I can directly throw in half play sand (this is the brand I'm getting Quikrete Brown Play Sand 50 lb - Ace Hardware) and the organic top soil (Ace All Purpose Top Soil 0.75 cu ft - Ace Hardware). Is there anything I need to do to this stuff before I throw it in? Do I need to add water? I am not looking to do bioactive right now, just looking to do some loose substrate along with maybe adding a couple safe plants for him in the tank.

Thanks!

those sound good - you dont want any thing in the top soil it needs to be bare of fertilizers etc -- no water do like 50/50 of the stuff -- you can find safe plants on the nutrition website
Nutrition Content
scroll to the bottom of the page

 

[xp29]

Just make sure the topsoil isn't treated with any chemicals, then just 59/50 mix

 

[umbrezon]

Awesome - thanks guys! Just wanted to make sure I didn't need to add water or anything.

 

[umbrezon]

Hey guys! Sorry to bring this post back up - I'm about to do the substrate mix in the tank and the top soil and playsand seem a bit wet/damp to me - is it still ok to use it like this?

 

[xp29]

It will dry, the biggest issue is it will be cold until the heat lights warm it up.

 

[umbrezon]

It will dry, the biggest issue is it will be cold until the heat lights warm it up.

Hey! i ended up just putting it the tank and going to let it dry out before I put him in.