Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm getting a Leopard Gecko,and i really don't know what type of substrate I should get.Any suggestions. I read sand is not a good option because of impction.Is this true.

little_man_joe

Generally yes.

The types of sand readily available to hobbyists are not the right types of sand to use in the first place............and even the right type of sand(s) carry the risk of impaction.

Calci(um)-Sand = Horrible. It clumps together in water and actually encourages the geckos to consume the stuff......not good.

Industrial sand = No. Has actual glass shards and is readily available and cheap due to its use in sandblasting.

I actually like to use sand in some of my large display tanks, but I don't recommend a beginner to start off with sand.....experienced people can detect health problems with their geckos and can even prevent them from happening in the first place.............it has been shown that most cases of impaction also involve some other health ailment or deficiency.

Also, all hatchlings and juveniles should always be kept off loose substrate....ALWAYS!

Some of the most popular substrate choices are paper towels and newpaper. If you don't like the look of that, then you can use ceramic tile which is real easy to clean.

Other people use coco-bark and Eco-Earth (coco coir), but these substrates hold moisture too well and leos like the majority of their tank to be arid.

They also make Reptile carpet, but I'm not a big fan of this......geckos can get their toes stuck in the fibers and rip it off themselves while trying to get free, or you could pick up the gecko quickly and rip the toes right off.

Ground Walnut Shells...............just don't. Seriously, this is probably the worst substrate on the market.

For my baby leo's tubs, I don't use any substrate, but prefer to actually clean the tub itself every 3 days or so.
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1.0.0 Lampropeltis getula holbrooki
0.1.0 Lampropeltis getula californae
0.0.1 Lampropeltis getula nigra
1.0.0 Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri
2.3.0 Eublapharis macularius macularius
0.0.2 Rhacodactylus ciliatus
0.1.0 Gerrhosaurus major major

If coco bark holds to much moister than what substrate should I use

little_man_joe

Hi

Just use a newspaper, paper towel substrate, and that way you are safe all the way around.

I have always used the zoomed repti-sand with my adult leos. Its not like industrial sand as noted earlier or anywhere near as bad as calcisand. Its actually very very fine and I have seen some come through my leo in its poop and my leos still go strong. The only drawback is that its not cheep. A 10lb costs me about 13-14ish dollars where at a show sometimes you can get it for like $10ISH a bag.

Yes, I concur. When I do use sand in my display tank this is what I use.................but it is EXPENSIVE!
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1.0.0 Lampropeltis getula holbrooki
0.1.0 Lampropeltis getula californae
0.0.1 Lampropeltis getula nigra
1.0.0 Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri
2.3.0 Eublapharis macularius macularius
0.0.2 Rhacodactylus ciliatus
0.1.0 Gerrhosaurus major major