I am planning my soon-to-arrive ZenHabitats 4x2x2, and considering slate tiles for the floor. Lots of advantages: file beardie's nails, not slippery like ceramic tiles, looks more natural. But unsealed slate tiles are porous and I guess they would absorb beardies droppings, and quickly get stained and smelly.
Anyone had experience with natural slate? Do you recommend:
1) sealing the slate with chemical sealer? I'd be worried about toxicity
2) wash the slate after a poop and hope for the best
3) use a waterproof ceramic tile instead
I do not have a sealant or waterproof on my tiles -- I have them layed in the tank w/ no grout or sealer in between -- they are cut to the size of the tank w/ a thick shop paper towel from Wal Mart underneath - the tile came from Home Depot it is a ceramic slated tile that is not coarse or porous here is a pic of the tile - it is a textured / coarse almost smooth it is hard to explain it but the dragons like it alot -
Mine tiles do not absorb the pee or poop I clean them w/ vinegar/ water 50/50 solution - the towels absorb any urate that gets under it so I havent had any stains so far and its been in there for a while
thanks Karrie, it's a Arcadia ProT5 UVB Kit 24" with a 14% bulb. I'm thinking of hanging it on the top screen towards the back on the hot side of the enclosure, with a mercury vapor for more light and heat, and a ceramic emitter for heat.
That 14% bulb needs a distance of at least 17-18 inches above the basking decor ---you do not want to over UVB him or over heat him --- make sure your getting basking temps w/ a digital probe thermometer -- what brand and bulb of MVB are you getting -- they have certain placement and distance requirements as well --- to be honest if your going to use the 14% bulb I would stay w/a regular bright white basking bulb -- since MVB have UVB as well it is possible to over do that w/ that strong Arcadia -- if you were using the 12% I wouldnt be so concerned w/ the MVB as well but the 14% you have a risk of him hiding from the UVB rays --