Question regarding substrate

[SheEpYW0lf]

I've heard so many people say use this, use that - no, don't use that nor this.
So I'm a little consufed, as nothing but different papers only seem to be the right.
But I think paper looks very boring. Isn't there anything else you can use, which looks okay?

 

[ajkry2]

slate tile
reptile carpet
nonadhesive shelf liner

 

[Twobeardieguy]

Hello and welcome. You can also use paper towels. :wink:

 

[demonsmomma]

i use reptile carpet and i think it looks nice i was using bark but max would eat it and then throw up so i decided to switch to reptile carpet you can get it in brown or green and its reasonably cheap and works i clean it once a month by spraying with bleach water and letting it air dry and i spot clean everyday

 

[ZephyrasHuman]

is the reptile carpet easy to clean though? Like, when your beardie has a bowel movement?

 

[TheWaveCarver]

Both repti-carpet and slate tile work best in my opinion because i faced the exact same problem. I ended up going with slate tile because it is easy to clean, it is permanent (you don't have to replace it), there are different styles, it is affordable and pays for itself eventually, it holds heat at night (but not enough during the day to burn their bellies), their feet don't get caught in loops of thread, and (my favorite) it files their nails down so you don't have to cut them often. It looks natural too. The only down side is that their a little heavy. Here are a couple pics:
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy66/WaveCaver/Bearded%20Dragon/0616001759.jpg
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy66/WaveCaver/Bearded%20Dragon/0616001758a.jpg
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy66/WaveCaver/Bearded%20Dragon/0616001758.jpg
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy66/WaveCaver/Bearded%20Dragon/0616001758b.jpg
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy66/WaveCaver/Bearded%20Dragon/0413001719.jpg
This was before i knew Calcium-Sand was bad:
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy66/WaveCaver/Bearded%20Dragon/1130091618copy.jpg
This is play sand:
http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy66/WaveCaver/Bearded%20Dragon/0207001036.jpg
LOTS of PICS :mrgreen:

 

[ZephyrasHuman]

so no calcium sand? I think that's what my mom bought. I haven't seen it, but she says the pet store said it was edible and fine and blah blah blah...she won't listen to me about anything I tell her that I saw on here. She won't even let me get a temperature probe, so I can't check temps and that scares me...I think I like the tile the best...but where do you go about getting the slate?

 

[TheWaveCarver]

I heard that reptile carpet can be a pain to clean because it hold the smell and gets in the fibers. You might be able to find it at Lowes, Home Depot, or etc. I got mind at a local stone distributer or company that allows you to go outside and look at them before you make your purchase. If you have a stone distributer near you I suggest that because they will make the correct cuts for you usually. If you plan on only having two pieces (as seen in my picture) i suggest cutting of one corner of one of the tiles to allow your finger to get under it for cleaning (its worth the cut trust me). You can also grout your tiles into the tank, but i am not familiar with this technique. Don't worry the prices are not bad. I can relate to your situation because my parents are always questioning the advice this site gives me like replacing the reptisun 10.0 every 6 months (my dad thinks it should be replaced every 12 months cause thats what the pet store says). To answer your other question calcium-sand is bad because if large amounts are ingested it actually forms a mud like substance that causes impaction. My cousins leopard gecko recently died of it even the the label says it can be ingested. Don't take the chance. As you can see i practically remodeled my tank, not to happy cause i practically had everything wrong. Those pet stores

PS: If you decide to go with slate, its a good idea to put a rag or something under it so that you don't scratch the glass at the bottom of the tank.

 

[Goonie]

[Moved from General to Enclosures]