Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, i think you were the one with the slate tiles for a substrate. I have a question. I have some old slate roofing tiles, probably 1/8" thick and maybe two feet by one. Would these work? they seem rather smooth, but i suppose they'd work. What do you think? do you know what im talking about?

I am not familiar with the roofing tiles you are talking about. Are they totaly flat? Do they have any type of roofing sealant on them like tar or anything like that. Any type of harsh chemicals used on them? I suppose they would work but thats just a guess as i dont know what they look like or what kind of treatment they have been through. I would have to say use your best judgment with the safety of your leo in mind. Also you want something that is going to fit tight so that your crix dont climb under them or in between. I know some people actually cut theres down to size then grout them. We however did not do that but they fit really tight and we actually have one row stair stepping the other and we just put some filler in the high row to even it out. Heres a pic. If you could take a picture and I could maybe give you some more advice. One more thng is you dont want them really rough either, little bit harder on your leo and it would be harder to clean up mess's as it would soak into the tile etc.

Good luck,

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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

they are really old; probably from at least 1800's. We have an old farmhouse, and when we got new roofing we kept the tiles. My mom has my camera right now, i'll see if i can find some pictures online. They were only nailed in place as far as i know, i dont think any sealant was used.

they are like this, but thinner.

They are probably very similar to yours, but thinner because they are shingels not tiles. Are yours for flooring?

WOW! Thats old! Pretty cool sounding tho!
My first advice would be not to use them but that may just be me! Im kinda weird about stuff like that. lol
I suppose if they were not to ruff, could be completly cleaned and steralized, and there is nothing that is going to flake off they would be ok. Like i said tho i would probablly vote against it and get some new ones. Again i havent seen them and i have no idea of the structural integrity of them and I would hate to give you bad advice.
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

Yea mine are for flooring. I think there like 6x6 tiles if i remember right. I saw the pic. They look like they would work but again just judging by there age I am still warey about it. Like i said tho just use your best judgement I wold hate to say NO NO WAY should you use those and be wrong, then i would feel bad!! lol
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

mkco79:
i think your slate rock idea is awsome.
i tried messaging you a few times a while back, but for some reason this site gave me an error at the end of every message.
so im glad this topic has come up again.

im trying to do somehting similar to your idea, but i had a few questions before:
1) i have a undertank heat pad... would the heat go through the slate rock or would i need another source of heat?
2) what do you use to seal the spaces in between one rock and the other? sand?

thanks
aaron

****1) i have a undertank heat pad... would the heat go through the slate rock or would i need another source of heat?
2) what do you use to seal the spaces in between one rock and the other?****

Glad you like it! As far as the UTH is concerned, No you do not need to find another source of heat. The tile is actually great at holding the heat and transfering it more evenly. Many people will actually buy a piece of tile and stick there UTH's to it and then put it under there tank or they will simply lay a piece in the tank over it and then cover that with there choice of substrate, Like if you had a python and used aspen as aspen is horrible IMO at conductiong heat and transfering it evenly as certain parts of the UTH always tend to be hotter then other spots!! Ok so anyway sorry if i ramble its just how i am, i like to give as much info as i can. So no you do not need another heat source. Do you use a dimmer or thermostat on your UTH? You may have to adjust that a little, we use dimmers and i think the switch is at about 80% on to get our preffered temps.
As far as sealing them: I know some people actually have the tiles cut to size so its one big flat peice and then grout them. If you decide to do it that way IMO its harder to clean and take out of the tank. I dont know for sure tho as that is not how we have ours set up. If you look at the pic i posted you can see that the closest layer is on the bottom of the tank and the level in the rear is actually laying on the bottom row. We simply poured some left over sand in there to make the back row lay even with the front. We will figure something else out after all the left over sand is used tho. So we have not "sealed" the edges with anything. they fit really tight in the cage and I have never seen a cricket that was able to get in between the seams. One way of doing it would be to cut it all to size and maybe only grout it in sections so that when you needed to spot clean or what ever you could simply lift that section out and clean real fast. I doubt we will grout ours tho as what have seems to work great and its a cinch to lift out a 6x6 piece of tile out and spot clean when we need to.
Glad to hear you like it tho! I know our leo seemed stoked when we made the switch from sand to the tiles! If you have any more questions just let me know, Ill try to make the answers shorter!! lol If youd like my e-mail it is c_springs25@yahoo.com hit me up any time!

Good luck!
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

thanks for the help!
ill go ahead and give this slate rock idea a try.
if i have any questions ill email you.

thanks again
aaron