Questions about reptile carpet

[Luthor]

After seeing a few photos on here of viv's with reptile carpet, I am considering changing from sand - mainly because I think the dust is not good for his eyes. IMpaction I don't think is as much of an issue now I am feeding him outside the viv.

I have a few questions for those that use carpet:

1. Do you have to wash it every time there is a poop?

2. I have read that some are prone to start stinking - is this because it isn't washed every day, or does it just start to smell anyway?

3. Is it quite heavy? I am considering getting two mats and cutting it into sections, possibly with a little velcro on the bottom. If it is heavy enough to stay in place cut into sections, then I can just remove and replace the section that has been soiled, without having to empty the whole viv every time. Obviously then just clean the section and put it back next time. Do you think this is workable solution?

Thanks

Cheers
Luth

PS. I noticed in the polls that the majority of people use "other" as substrate. I am wondering what "others" are using?

 

[Hellstrom]

From what I've read you do have to wash it every time there is a poop. Even when you do, it still holds the smell. The section idea sounds good in theory, but most people say that it holds smell....I recommend slate tile personally....

 

[Luthor]

From what I've read you do have to wash it every time there is a poop. Even when you do, it still holds the smell. The section idea sounds good in theory, but most people say that it holds smell....I recommend slate tile personally....

Yes, I think after reading some other posts on here, tile is sounding favourite.

I was thinking they would need to be grouted in but it has dawned upon me that they can be laid loose...and small tiles would be easy enough to take out and clean.

Off to the tile shop it is, methinks!

Thanks

 

[Eljay]

I use reptile carpet at the moment and although its good for beardie, it is a pain in the arse to clean and keep smelling fresh.

if your beardies poop is fairly solid, its easy enough to clean. I just remove the poop and do a mini wash of that bit of carpet. god forbid you have a runny one though because it stains, and it holds the smell for days. I wash mine once every 2 weeks with diluted bleach and reptile disinfectant, and it can still smell bad some weeks.

My new viv is having tile put in (grouted), but on a removable floor so I can just slide the floor out to clean it once every 2 weeks. in between thorough cleans I'll just rinse the area where hes done his business. tile is a lot easier to keep clean and it doesnt hold the smell.

 

[Luthor]

I use reptile carpet at the moment and although its good for beardie, it is a pain in the arse to clean and keep smelling fresh.

if your beardies poop is fairly solid, its easy enough to clean. I just remove the poop and do a mini wash of that bit of carpet. god forbid you have a runny one though because it stains, and it holds the smell for days. I wash mine once every 2 weeks with diluted bleach and reptile disinfectant, and it can still smell bad some weeks.

My new viv is having tile put in (grouted), but on a removable floor so I can just slide the floor out to clean it once every 2 weeks. in between thorough cleans I'll just rinse the area where hes done his business. tile is a lot easier to keep clean and it doesnt hold the smell.

Thanks for the input. You have made my mind up for sure now.

See you in B&Q at Bamber Bridge then!

 

[Eljay]

I use reptile carpet at the moment and although its good for beardie, it is a pain in the arse to clean and keep smelling fresh.

if your beardies poop is fairly solid, its easy enough to clean. I just remove the poop and do a mini wash of that bit of carpet. god forbid you have a runny one though because it stains, and it holds the smell for days. I wash mine once every 2 weeks with diluted bleach and reptile disinfectant, and it can still smell bad some weeks.

My new viv is having tile put in (grouted), but on a removable floor so I can just slide the floor out to clean it once every 2 weeks. in between thorough cleans I'll just rinse the area where hes done his business. tile is a lot easier to keep clean and it doesnt hold the smell.

Thanks for the input. You have made my mind up for sure now.

See you in B&Q at Bamber Bridge then!

Lol! yep, thats my local. I'm having my viv made for me though, he's doing EVERYTHING for me, including the tile, and he's making a custom climbing background for me too! VERY excited. I'm so sad.....

 

[Luthor]

Lol! yep, thats my local. I'm having my viv made for me though, he's doing EVERYTHING for me, including the tile, and he's making a custom climbing background for me too! VERY excited. I'm so sad.....

Ooh. Is it expensive?

I am going to have to upgrade when Dewi is bigger and it would be good to get a custom viv to fit the space I have, but be big enough for him to wander around & climb.

 

[Eljay]

for everything, which is:

wooden shell, 4ft by 2ft by 2ft with 2 slot air vents to the side, and 5 circular vents along to top of the back pannel
glass doors (2ft by 2ft)
all electricts worked into the viv, so no cables hanging in the viv. I asked for a basking socket, a ceramic heater socket at the other end, and a 3ft uvb tube fitting.
a room thermostat at the cool end (need to get my own for basking end because room ones dont go high enough)
Tiled removable floor with little knobs so I can pull it out when glass doors are removed
custom built climbing wall on the back of the viv (I let him use his artistic whim for this!)


He's charging me 150 ish quid. but its by customisation so yours may be cheaper/more expensive depending what you want. all I have to buy is the bulbs, the thermostat and any furniture I want.

 

[Luthor]

for everything, which is:

wooden shell, 4ft by 2ft by 2ft with 2 slot air vents to the side, and 5 circular vents along to top of the back pannel
glass doors (2ft by 2ft)
all electricts worked into the viv, so no cables hanging in the viv. I asked for a basking socket, a ceramic heater socket at the other end, and a 3ft uvb tube fitting.
a room thermostat at the cool end (need to get my own for basking end because room ones dont go high enough)
Tiled removable floor with little knobs so I can pull it out when glass doors are removed
custom built climbing wall on the back of the viv (I let him use his artistic whim for this!)


He's charging me 150 ish quid. but its by customisation so yours may be cheaper/more expensive depending what you want. all I have to buy is the bulbs, the thermostat and any furniture I want.

That sounds a ruddy good price!

Is it just a mate or someone who does it "as a living"?

Would be interested to get the number if he is interested in doing one for me.

If its a mate I would probably ask him first and not post his number on web.

 

[jeritta]

we are in the process of switching all of our vivs to tile. It is A LOT easier to keep clean and fresh. We have a tile store here local and as long as you don't mind the pieces being mix matched in color they have been letting me have left over or scrap pieces for free. Can't beat that deal.
Our dragons seem to like it better too because their nails don't get caught in the tile like it does the repticarpet.
Good luck with which ever you choose.

 

[MALIBUSMOM]

I use 1/2 tile..1/2 soft shelf liner....Malibu only poops in bath...makes life easier.
You can potty train by bathing dailey.

 

[Eljay]

That sounds a ruddy good price!

Is it just a mate or someone who does it "as a living"?

Would be interested to get the number if he is interested in doing one for me.

If its a mate I would probably ask him first and not post his number on web.

hes a friend of a friend, but he does it for a living. he makes all sorts of mad stuff. this viv is his first but we had a big convo about it! I will post pics when its done

he has a facebook page for his work...

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60919088704&ref=search#!/group.php?gid=60919088704

oh, and a website...

http://www.transnove.co.uk/furniture.html

The guy doing mine is Andrew. make sure you let him know you know me. I got a little bit of discount due to friend connection, so he may be as generous for you too he gave me a free quote after we had talked about it, so even if you don't go ahead you can get an idea of price.

 

[nair88]

we are in the process of switching all of our vivs to tile. It is A LOT easier to keep clean and fresh. We have a tile store here local and as long as you don't mind the pieces being mix matched in color they have been letting me have left over or scrap pieces for free. Can't beat that deal.
Our dragons seem to like it better too because their nails don't get caught in the tile like it does the repticarpet.
Good luck with which ever you choose.

personally, i think the mix and match colors looks better - looks more deserty to me

 

[Luthor]

we are in the process of switching all of our vivs to tile. It is A LOT easier to keep clean and fresh. We have a tile store here local and as long as you don't mind the pieces being mix matched in color they have been letting me have left over or scrap pieces for free. Can't beat that deal.
Our dragons seem to like it better too because their nails don't get caught in the tile like it does the repticarpet.
Good luck with which ever you choose.

Thanks.

I have just been to B&Q (local "hardware" store) - I got 4 unboxed, slightly broken tiles for less than half price.

Will be putting them in tomorrow. Maybe post some pics of Dewi's new abode.