suggestions on substrate

[rex2311]

I will be buying a 40 gallon from my friend soon as the adult enclosure. I'm going customize this one for start I want a real substrate instead of a reptile rug. I was thinking coconut fiber for a substrate will that do? Give your suggestions.

also tile is not an option and I refuse to use sand.

 

[CooperDragon]

I don't recommend using a loose substrate because impaction risks aside, it is very difficult to keep sanitary. Ceramic tile is my favorite, but if that isn't an option I suggest using a different solid substrate. Non adhesive shelf liner is a favorite among lots of folks on here due to it's low cost and how easy it is to clean.

 

[Taterbug]

I used nonadhesive shelf liner for the longest time - for solid substrate I like it best. If you are not interested in tile though, maybe that won't work either? I think some folks have tried out the zoomed excavator clay - it's a water soluble material that dried hard but looks like sand or dirt. There is also a desert version of reptile carpet - a rubberized mat with stones and sand adhered to it.

If you want to use a loose substrate - look into a sand/soil mix, or a bioactive system. There is a thread about it on the "back room" board, (you can join via your us are controls). Of course - loose substrates will always have more risk than solid, and the soil is a bit more involved to maintain. I switched to soil recently... I'm not sure how much I like it or not yet.

Plain Coco coir holds moisture, so unless you take precautions you can have humidity problems - when it's dry it is very light, and that contributes to the mess. I've gotten slivers from mine (Ecoearth) - just something to think about. I'm not sure what "dry" substrate would be suitable. Anything lacking moisture will have similar problems as sand - dust and crud to get stuck in noses or breathed in.

 

[jarich]

Rather than coir, I would suggest using a bioactive substrate. Mix topsoil with sand at about 70:30 ratio. Topsoil you can either get from outside, if you are sure there are no pesticides/herbicides used around the area, or if you buy from a garden center make sure there are no additives like vermiculite, fertilizers, etc. Then buy some children's playsand to mix with it. You will also need to buy either some expanded clay balls (found in the garden center) or gravel to go under this as a drainage layer, and some fiberglass screen to cover the drainage layer and keep the soil from filtering down into it. I can PM you further details about the set up if you are interested.