Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have read conflicting advice about how to layout the substrate in the enclosure and the hide box. Can someone please tell me which of these three ways is best:

1) 12-24" of substrate through the entire enclosure, hide box empty and setting upside down on top of substrate

2) 2-3" of substrate through the entire enclosure and a packed hidebox with substrate in it turned upside down on the substrate

3) 12-24" of substrate through the entire enclosure and a packed hidebox with substrate in it turned upside down on the substrate

There are small differences I know, but keeping less substrate on the floor with a packed hidebox would make changing substrate cheaper and easier. Does anyone regularly change their entire layer of subtrate or do you just spot clean it when they defecate/urinate?

I have several inches of mulch in the entire cage for my 6 month old babies. They also have hollow logs to play in and on or sleep in as they choose. They will build tunnels and hides throughout the cage except under the basking spot. My adults with about a foot or more of substrate also make tunnels and dig everywhere.

Hope that helps.
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

Can I add a 4th way to your list? I have my cage set up with very little substrate on the floor around the basking spot. The rubber maid hide box is covered with substrate to keep it dark inside. It's about 3/4's full of substrate so they can make a chamber in there. Here's a pic; the 4' hide box is on the right side under the mound.