Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, so i'm really trying to research the best type of substrate to use in a large tank (55 gallon). I've read many posts of ppls opinions and likes and dislikes about certain subtrates.

So here's wut im asking- If you would be kind enough to post YOUR FAVORITE SUBSTRATE, the reason(s) you like it *Pro's*, and anything that u DID NOT like about it *Con's*

-It'd be a HUGE help to me if anyone would do this for me *not only for my benefit, i'm sure other ppl will/can learn alot from this post if enough ppl reply*, and help me with this investment.

Thanks,

~Eric~
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My baby Beardie!(aka the Fugative)

I switched to WheatBran (for adults). It is WAY cheap (~$8 for a 50lb bag....it is a lot less dense than sand. So a 50lb bag can do about 5-10 55 gallon aquariums) It is easier to dig for your little digger (like my ZZ) It cuts way down on the smell. It does look natural, it isn't as harmful as sand if swallowed but it too has some drawbacks. It can be VERY dusty! If you feed super worms (or other burrowing worms) you have to put them in something so they don't get loose--you will NEVER find them again. It is a little harder to sift than sand so I used to just scoop out waste (which is clumped) with a big spoon.

You can buy WheatBran at a feed store (like Southern States). I am not sure where else will have it...I think you find at some tack stores, too.
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Hangin with the Herps
ZZ

yes i know they are desert animals but just be aware that excess humidty or spilled water can cause a very dangerous mold
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

i like shelf liner the most, its nice and easy to cut down to the rght size, looks nice, very easy to clean up, cheap, almost no chance of impaction, only con would be ummm, i don't think there are any lol
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my animals
1.0.1 leopard gecko (goliath, gebco)
0.1 hypo red bearded dragon (puff the magic dragon)
0.0.1 schnieder's skink (ghandi)
0.1 white's dumpy treefrog (un-named)
1.0 house gecko (geico)
0.0.1 red eared slider (carl)
0.0.1 fire belly toad (escaped..)
1.0 lop eared wabbit (oreo)
1.1.too many to count, brown recluse (i think)
the rest of the animals in the hizouse
1.0 westie puppy (gabriel)
1.0 plain ol' outdoor alley cat (joey)
0.1 indoor rag doll kitty (tinkerbell)
2.0 goulian finchs

I too use shelf liner.

PROS:
-cheap
-clean
-insects can't hide in or under it
-no dust or molding
-zero chance for impaction
-cage always looks tidy
-comes in many colors and patterns

CONS:
-honestly I can't think of anything, except if your lizard loves to dig there is nothing to dig in. A lot of people fix this by putting a little sandbox on one side of the tank, which is what I plan to do eventually.
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Amanda
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

i like no substrate, i keep rocks around the basking place cuz its slippery and beardies slip wen they jump

PROS
no impactions

easy to clean(just wipe up the poop with a baby wipe and wipe it down)

beardies cant pull it over or rip it

CONS

it looks ugly

it is slippery

No matter what you choose, someone is going to have some crticism on it. I have a cage that size too, and in mine, i put half of it with that green reptile carpet they sell in the pet stores, and the rest i filled a cat litter box with sand. And to hide the litter box i put different branches of driftwood..which they like to climb around and sleep under at night. I put the food on the carpet side so the chance of ingestion is smaller. Andon the san side i put some rocks and wood in it, and the basking light above it.

If you decide to put the shelf liners in, make sure to put soemthing in like sand on the side. You couldnt make your dragons live on that hard surface their whole lives..thats not what they're used to, built for. Just because it works and is convenient, doesnt mean its perfect...just like you cant make a dog live on cement its whole life..it works, but isnt necessarily great for the dog. Same for the no substrate with just rocks...how would u like to live in a glass box with rocks?

Yup, that's why I said the part about adding a sandbox. Digging is a natural behavior for dragons. Mine don't dig much and so far haven't seemed to mind having nothing to dig in, but I plan on doing it anyways.

I don't think it hurts them to not have anything like that, though. It won't have any long term negative effects on their health or anything. It's just a good thing to include for their comfort.

I'm hoping in the next few months to build larger cages for both my lizards, and this feature will be included.
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Amanda
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

i really like that idea. i think wut i'll do is have half of my tank reptile carpet, and the other half a thing with play sand or something like that. i'll have the feeding area on the reptile carpet end.

THX!
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My baby Beardie!(aka the Fugative)

That is the way to do it.
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Amanda
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

Yeah, its easy cleanup too, just change the carpets..and when u want to change the sand, take the litter box out, dump the sand and get new sand..or clean it, w/e u like to do.
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Julie

0.2 Bearded Dragons
0.0.1 Panther Chameleon
1.0 Jackson Chameleon
0.2 Leopard Geckos
1.1 Crested Geckos
1.0 Blue Water Dragon
1.2 Japanese Fire Belly Newts
1.1 Aquatic Frogs
0.1 Collared Lizard
4.4 Seahorses
0.1 Chinchilla
1.0 Dog