Substrate options

[Dragonwagon]

I'm curious as to what people use for a substrate. I love the look of sand, but others say it causes impaction. Could I use excavator clay? It's a bit sandy, but not quite as loose it seems. What about birdseed? I know a lot of uromastyx keepers use birdseed as a substrate, but has anyone tried this for their bearded dragon? Is sand really that bad? I don't see much harm in it if I bowl fed. To be honest, I hate the look of tiles, reptile carpet and paper towel. I love going all out on my reptile cages and I want them to be as natural and pretty as possible, but still be safe and sanitary.

 

[Mildew]

If you want something natural, than bioactive is a good choice .
I personally use a top soil/ play sand mixture, about 6-10 inches deep with some leaf litter on top.
Particulate substrate is only really a problem when the BD is dehydrated or has slowed gut movements (excluding calci-sand). If you offer a wide humidity and temperature gradient they can pass particulate substrate with ease.