What is the best substrate and the best place to buy it?

[jordy1380]

I know that this is often times a controversial issue, what is the best substrate? I have some of my dragons on sand and some on tile and have had a problem with neither of them. Sometimes on the tile, I see them "pealing out" and not moving anywhere when they are in chase of a roach or something. Is there another type of tile that I should have? I have a standard ceramic tile right now and i think it is what people are always talking about when they mention tiles. I think the sand that I have is the repti-sand which seems to be very good as well. Never had an impaction problem at all. The thing that I noticed is that the sand starts to stink a little if you don't remove the whole area that they defacated in and the tile begins to stink as well from seepage around the sides of the tile so you have to be very cleanly and check everything when cleaning. I was wondering if there was a very cheap place to buy sand on the internet or if it is just as cheap to go to pets mart to get the stuff. I also would like to know what type of tile would be the best and if there is any easier way to cut the ceramic tile to custom sizes without an expensive tile cutter. Is there a way to score then break or some type of hand tool that works best. Help me out here. Thanks everyone that replies!!!

 

[keschete]

Slate tile works great, Lowes, but in my new enclosures I just used black granite. The slate has a rough surface so they don't slip and it wears down the nails great. It also retains great heat.

I am trying out the black granite and will see how it does, I may switch back to slate......

 

[JeffSimpson]

There is no such thing as a "best" substrate, only a more preferred one. As you mentioned, sand is messy / stinky is you don't change it often. Do you have your tile grouted and sealed? That should eliminate any "seeping". If you go to something dark, like black granite, make sure to watch your temps as the may jump up a bit due to more heat being absorbed.