Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I am changeing my substrate for my leopard geko from sand to tile. I found some 12"x12" slate tiles that looks like an uneven rocky surface. The problem is that these tiles are 1/2" thick instad of 1/4" thick like most other tiles and these tiles are really heavy. Each tile weighs over 7 pounds and I will need 2.5 tiles to cover the bottom. My concern is that these tiles will be too heavy for a 20L terrarium and break the glass. Secondly that they are too thick to heat. Should I put a layer of sand beneath it? If those are a bad idea then I can use some 1/4" thick 12"x12" ceramic tiles but they just dont have a nice texture like the slate tiles. Although I suspect they will be easier to clean. Advise?

Either the slate or the ceramic tiles will work. There are ways to distribute the weight so they do not damage the glass, although I suspect you won't have to do anything. A layer of sand is one way. I have also seen people use those self adhesive pads designed to go under furniture. Or you can make your own with dabs of silicone in each corner of the tile and one in the middle.

If you're using undertank heat the air space created by these above methods will make the heater less efficient. You'll want the tile in contact with the glass as much as possible. If you're using an over-tank heat source then it won't matter.

Either way, the tiles will take longer to heat up but once up to temperature they will provide a more even and stable heat.

To ease your mind a bit, keep in mind that homes that are heated with radiant heat need extra thermal mass in order to work best. For example, the electric radiant heat mats made for bathrooms actuallly work better under tile than they do vinyl flooring, for example.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

My main concern is that at about 7.5-8 pounds a piece the tiles will be too much for the glass and crack it.

>>My main concern is that at about 7.5-8 pounds a piece the tiles will be too much for the glass and crack it.

So long as the tiles are supported radially, along the outside edge where the vertical glass meets this won't present a problem. IE you don't want dead weight directly in the middle.

However a gallon of water weights 8 pds so you won't have a problem just protect the glass from impact or scratching, Chris's silicone feet is a good idea.
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Jeremy Payne
JB Reptile
Specializing in Boa Morph's

1.0 Snow "Kahl"
0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Kahl"
0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow
1.0 Ghost
0.1 Possible Super Hypo
0.1 DH Ghost
1.1 "Kahl" Albino
1.0 Hypomelenistic
1.3 Pastel Hypo
0.1 Suriname/Columbian cross
0.1 Anerthrystic

Plus right now theres about an inch to an inch and a half of sand for substrate. The temp in the heat zone reaches about 88-92 degress so I am thinking keeping a small layer of sand would be beneficial. Dont you think if it is just the tile on glass it would get too hot? Put mabie a 1/4 inch of sand on the base to level things out and keep it from getting too hot?

Dont you think if it is just the tile on glass it would get too hot? Put mabie a 1/4 inch of sand on the base to level things out and keep it from getting too hot?

How the heck would I know? You've made three posts on this topic and have not mentioned how you are heating this tank or even exactly what sort of tank you have. All you mentioned was a 20 liter terrarium and implied it was glass, or at least that the bottom is glass.

A 1/4" of sand is probably a good idea. My only concern here is that some sands are poor conductors of heat and if you're using an under tank heater of some sort you may not get the results you want. But since you already have sand and don't seem to be having heating issues I'm guessing you'll be fine.

If you're using an overhead heat source it should not matter, assuming you have some ability to control the heat, whether it be thermostatic or rheostatic.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

Its an all glass (except for the screen and the plastic molding around the top and bottom edges) 20 gallon long terrarium. Useing an under tank heater. No heat lamp. 3 hides one on cold, one hot and one hot/humid. In general my room is normaly a hot room or atleast the warmest room in the house and I find it easy for the temp on the hot side of the tank to approach mid 90s. Sorry for not being more specific. I picked up some tiles and decided to go with a ceramic 1/4 inch tile that has some texture to it. It doesnt look as nice as the 1/2 inch tick tiles but it weighs less and will be easier to clean. Thanks for your help so far. I appreciate it.

I would try it without the sand first and see how you like it, assuming you can monitor things closely for a while.

If it gets too hot you can always use one of those lamp dimmers that are already pre-wired.

Thinking out loud here, the sand may also be nice if you can't get a nice fit to the tiles in the bottom of your tanks.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

Currently I finished the setup and have the UTH hooked up to a light dimmer and the tiles are on a small layer of sand to level things out. The temps on the hot side are running about 88-92 degrees with the dimmer on the heater turned down to the lowest setting. I am thinking of adding a larger layer of sand so that I can have the dimmer set to the middle and would give me more controll over temperatures cus right now all I can do is make it hotter or turn the heater off. If you have any other suggestions please let me know.

I am thinking of adding a larger layer of sand so that I can have the dimmer set to the middle and would give me more controll over temperatures cus right now all I can do is make it hotter or turn the heater off.

That or go with a smaller/lower wattage heater. I imagine the thicker layer of sand is the easier choice.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback