Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have papertowels as my substrate for my eight month old leo. When I put the towels down in the tank I have tape all on the sides of the tank holding the paper towels on (to keep crix from hiding under it) and it just looks like a big mess. does any one have a better way they do this? Ideas would be helpful thanx

The paper towels that i have are called Viva. They are kleenex brand I think. They are very soft, and are heavier then most. They also dont curl in the corners. I fold it so it fits in the cage and then it will just stay down. Try and buy Viva. It works great!!
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Josh
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I agree! I buy bounty (with Spongebob on it ), I just fold to fit the cage floor, put all the hides and water dish back in and it seems to hold it down great.
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Carolyn

I just lay them out for a day or 2. i never use tape. i use rock to hold down the towels and give the Leos something to climb on.
i layout sections usually 3 sheets. then just over lap them. works good with my 20L tanks. never had any problems. don't really care if a crickets gets under the paper. just cage them when i change the paper and gutload them again. I alway leave something for the mealworms to eat in the mealworm bowl so the crickets have somthing to eat and don't bother th leos.

Church of the Gecko

Ack, think I lost the post I thought I sent ... oh well, here goes again.

I use paper towels (Kirkland aka Costco brand 'cause they are the larger size, are sturdy, and price is good). I use two layers (still attached), such that the two loose sides bend towards each other. Folding one side as needed for a tight fit, now the paper towels are the size of the cage/enclosure bottom.

I use a food dish for mealworms (usually with calcium in a small pile inside) in one corner, a water dish in another corner, and a dry hide in a third corner. As I place the items, I smooth the paper towels so they lay flat.

Also, I replace the paper towels every 2 or 3 days which probably helps too.

Good luck - and keep trying different things; with persistance you'll find a method that is easy for you and safe/sanitary for your leos!

Andrea A.

What my dad (JJay) and I do is cut plywood to fit the bottom of a ten gallon tank and cut a hole in it to put recess the water dish. The hole helps to pull the plywood out to change the paper. The problem is, we still have to use tape to get the paper towel to stay on. The plywood may cause the heat from the UTH (if you have one) not to penetrate through the bottom as well. This is a new set up for us, so we are not sure, but it has worked well so far.

Hope it helps,

Nate