Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, I'm getting pretty tired or repti carpet, dirt sticks to it, poop sticks to it, and calcium dust from food doesnt come off easy, gets dirty really easily. I read a post a while ago about making clay tunnels for substrate. My leo really likes to hide under blankets and that when shes out, so I think shed like something like that. Has anyone ever done this? It would almost eliminate the need for any hides except a humid hide. I could also like build in a water bowl, it would be awsome. It would also be pretty natural, and fairly safe, given its non toxic clay. The only problem is I'm guessing it might be hard to clean. I'd just like to hear your thoughts on this and any positive/negative opinions on this. So far this is what i ahve for positive/negetives:
POSITIVE:
-fairly natural, close what the live on it the wild
-leo would really enjoy it
-would look nice
-eliminates the need for hides (except a humid hide)
-would probably conduct heat well (not sure on this one)
NEGATIVE:
-might have harmful chemicals or something (in this case its definately a no)
-might be hard to clean, depending on how you made it
-might be unable to get gecko when needed (again depending on how you make it)
-might get dusty after a while
I appreciate any input on this, i think it would be pretty cool. Later
Mac

A couple of my hides are made of dry clay. They're pretty good at absorbing and retaining heat, but they also absorb smell. Cleaning them isn't too much of a problem, but if your gecko poops on it, the smell is difficult to wash out.

I also wouldn't use it to form a water bowl unless it's glazed. Even when clay's dry or baked, the water doesn't stay clear.

Hi,
check out the cage and habitat design forum, they have lots of cool ideas in there. I also, was thinking of using clay to cover the inside back and bottom of one of my tanks, creating tunnels, ledges and imbedding artifical plants right into the clay. Having been an art student, i've used all sorts of clay but i'm still trying to figure out which would be best. Like the other post stated, even though dry, the clay will still soak up smell etc. Some clays require baking, others don't, some are really really strong when dried, others break, so i'm not sure exactly whats best. Also, i would assume theres something to cover the clay in to prevent soaking up stuff but i don't know what one could use. One post i saw in the cage/habitat forum was of a large cage and the person used a cement mix.

I'm going to go look and see if theres anything, its 4am and i'm wide awake so it'll give me something to do
Red