What's your favorite substrate?

[andras]

The title says it. My friend Kaida is on newspaper right now. She's about 10 inches long and in a 20 gallon tank. I'm going to be moving her to a 40 gallon tank in a few weeks, and want to put the best substrate down for her when she moves. So, what is your favorite substrate?

 

[WAFisherman]

I prefer to keep it simple to clean, safe for the beardie, sanitary (comes from being simple to clean which then helps it be safe for beardie - fewer places to breed bacteria, parasites, etc), and somewhat natural or nice looking...

A roll of cheap brown masking paper from the local hardware store is what I'm using now - topped with a handful of natural looking flagstones (flat landscaping rocks). The paper is just an inch wider than my tank, and I cut to length. Should last a year or more for just a buck fifty or so.

Most poos end up on a rock that I just pick up and wash here and there. Every few weeks (unless there is a mess) I change the paper.

I like to avoid wood products (harder to clean). My hides and climbs are rock. Natural stones are good at keeping the nails trim.

I've also had good luck with reptile carpet. Some don't like it, but I had no issues.

Some people just use paper towels, others news paper. Works fine. Just don't shred it up...

Tiling is probably the most common and best long term solution. For now, I'm sticking with a 40gal breeder tank and the paper + rocks. But at some point I will be building my own and will use tile more than likely.

 

[1happymommy]

I love the tiles. I just pick up the piece that is dirty and sanitize it an put back. One of my vivs is half tile and half non adhesive shelf liner which is sorta on the rubber side. I love it and it's very clean.

 

[mishelly58]

I love the tiles. They help keep thier nails from getting sharp and are easy to clean. I usually only have to clean up any mess he made with his food because Gizmo only poops when I give him a bath, and that's easy enough to clean up.

 

[NegativeCreep]

Yup, Tiles - clean and safe.

I just clean the soiled tiles and every so often, I break down the whole cage and wash the tiles like dishes - with dial soap only & rinse, rinse, rinse very well. I would never risk a particle substrate - not even as an adult.

 

[andras]

thanks guys, that helps. it seems that i should get a hold of some tiling somehow. btw, i love this site.

 

[protiemama]

Lowe's and Home Depo both have a great selection of tiles. Lowe's has more choices and will cut your tile to fit. That said I got my beautiful slate tiles at Home depo. Go figure! :lol: Bogie seems happy with my choice too.

Sandy H

 

[herpfreak]

I love the tiles. I just pick up the piece that is dirty and sanitize it an put back. One of my vivs is half tile and half non adhesive shelf liner which is sorta on the rubber side. I love it and it's very clean.

Says it all! Tiles rock!