Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got to talking to the reptile guy at the local pet shop about what he uses as substrate. I knew he breed and kept a lot of reptiles. I've been trying to find the safest, healthiest, most economical substrate. I started with the carpet, and found that the crickets were getting under, and at night buggin the beardies. Well any way he suggested useing a regular plastic table cloth cut to the size of the tank. I know not that pleasing to the eye, but then when you have large amounts of reptiles, and breeding in mind, seems like a great idea. Sanitary, safe, easy. I went today and bought a roll of plastic table cloth material with traction on it so the beardies don't slip. Cost 2.50 for enough to cover two 4 foot tanks and 2 3 foot cages. Cut it, washed it, placed it in the tanks. It's been working great so far. It clings to the glass, and melamime after a short time in the heat. It cleans excellent with a spary and paper towels, and changes real easy, Just comes right up. Thing is I never heard of this before, never seen it before. So far so good cleans great, no mess in the cages at all, never had a more sanitary set-up. All bugs are seen. dragons seem happy with it. Is this a great idea, or am I missing something simple? Is it healthy? Seems to good to be true. In my never ending search for the healthiest, safest substrate. Your opinions please.

I just taped down the carpet, and that kept the crickets from going under it. Also, in big cages, I just used one strip that was cut to fit a 20 gallon tank in the area that they pooped. However, that doesn't sound like a bad idea. Easy to keep clean, and no crickets get under it. It might be something for me to look into.

SOunds like a safe and easy way to line the cage with. Tiles could also be used though you wouldn't be able to take them out as easily, just easy to hose or rinse off. Tiles would look nicer but cost more ($1-$5 per square foot of tile). With plastic tablecoth in mind, linolium may be good too, more durable and can be glued down and sealed with silicon sealer and you wouldn't have to worry about replacing it till it gets holes in it. Could buy smalll reminants from any flooring store for cheap prices.