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I have been using heavy brown paper which for the most part works fine except that the crix often find their way under it. I have food for them so they show up from time to time but I am wondering about not having any substrate at all - just the galss bottom. I can't really see any reason not to but want some thoughts on it.

This is mainly for my stressed green. She is in her own 10 gal (away from the my other green and my brown as their was some dominance stress going on) and I want to make sure she is eating. Have even tried wax worms and she is refusing them. So if she hunts I want the crix avaliable. Thanks!

lele

I take it the 10 gallon is temporary?

You might try one of the reptile carpets. I've used Zoo Med's carpet in the past. It's non-abbrasive and absorbent...not to be confused with the astro-turf stuff people used to use.

well, my question was about having no substrate. I realize there are other options but want to hear reasons to have/ not have substrate. I am thinking humidity is one but there are other ways to keep that up - one being a well planted (live) vivarium.

>>I take it the 10 gallon is temporary?
>>
>>
>>You might try one of the reptile carpets. I've used Zoo Med's carpet in the past. It's non-abbrasive and absorbent...not to be confused with the astro-turf stuff people used to use.

I have not had a bare bottom tank for my anoles, but my Uro is currently in a bare quarantine tank for parasite reasons. It's miserable for her since uros are burrowers, but as anoles are mostly arboreal (you said this was a green anole, right?), I can't think why it would be a problem. It would be more of an effort to clean, but big deal - they're a pain to clean anyway.
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Torey
D'oh! 0.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Arthur)
0.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Leeloo)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

yes, I thought about the cleaning, but as you say it is not a simple task. Yes, it is a green anole and since I really need to make sure she doesn't miss out on any food I think I will give it a try.

Anyone else's thoughts are still welcome

lele

>>I have not had a bare bottom tank for my anoles, but my Uro is currently in a bare quarantine tank for parasite reasons. It's miserable for her since uros are burrowers, but as anoles are mostly arboreal (you said this was a green anole, right?), I can't think why it would be a problem. It would be more of an effort to clean, but big deal - they're a pain to clean anyway.
>>-----
>>Torey
>>D'oh! 0.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Arthur)
>>0.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Leeloo)
>>1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
>>1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)
>>

Well, while you won't find a Green anole burrowing, it's still nice for them to have substrate, preferably something that looks like soil or leaf litter. I'm keeping a baby Green on a moist Bed-A-Beast and Calci-sand mix, and it's mostly for security reasons.

If there's a reason that substrate is getting in the way or has become a problem, it's not so bad. I mean, the tank will be cleaner (assuming it's regularly cleaned) with a bare-bottom tank... just make sure it's very lush with live or fake plants. You can also put dark paper *under* the tank (or put it on a dark surface) and cover the backside of the tank with dark-colored paper or a background. As long as the anole feels safe and protected (able to hide), everything should be fine.

Their claws are probably better off on glass then they are on butcher paper, and they barely use the ground, anyway. It's easier to mist the plants in a tank without paper on the ground, as well.

Clean the tank well, I think about every-other-day would be good. Clean with a mild vinegar or very mild bleach solution and rinse very, very well. You could use dish or hand soap if you rinse very well as long as water doesn't collect on the ground where the anole might drink it.

Let us know what you do and good luck
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Got hips like Cinderella / Must be having a good shame / Talking sweet about nothing / Cookie I think you're Tame

I like the idea of the brown paper under the tank! I was going to get more background for this tank but I think for now I will just put brown paper on 3 sides. I force fed her a waxworm the other day and gave her a drop of neo cal-glucon. I am going to get some silkies and see if she will eat them. I am very worried about her and will be bringing a fecal to the vet as soon as I can find one! (feces, not vet )

thanks,
lele

>>Well, while you won't find a Green anole burrowing, it's still nice for them to have substrate, preferably something that looks like soil or leaf litter. I'm keeping a baby Green on a moist Bed-A-Beast and Calci-sand mix, and it's mostly for security reasons.
>>
>>If there's a reason that substrate is getting in the way or has become a problem, it's not so bad. I mean, the tank will be cleaner (assuming it's regularly cleaned) with a bare-bottom tank... just make sure it's very lush with live or fake plants. You can also put dark paper *under* the tank (or put it on a dark surface) and cover the backside of the tank with dark-colored paper or a background. As long as the anole feels safe and protected (able to hide), everything should be fine.
>>
>>Their claws are probably better off on glass then they are on butcher paper, and they barely use the ground, anyway. It's easier to mist the plants in a tank without paper on the ground, as well.
>>
>>Clean the tank well, I think about every-other-day would be good. Clean with a mild vinegar or very mild bleach solution and rinse very, very well. You could use dish or hand soap if you rinse very well as long as water doesn't collect on the ground where the anole might drink it.
>>
>>Let us know what you do and good luck
>>-----
>>Got hips like Cinderella / Must be having a good shame / Talking sweet about nothing / Cookie I think you're Tame