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what to use as substrate?

mike d Dec 29, 2004 10:49 AM

i have tried carpet and i hate it. it is so hard to keep clean. so i was just wonering what everyone else uses for substrate because my igg will be moving into the closet within the next few months and im not sure what to use as substrate..
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1.0.0 adopted iguana
0.0.2 Hedgehogs
My Email

YOU DONT OWN YOUR IGUANA, YOUR IGUANA OWNS YOU

HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH

R.I.P INDIAN LARRY

Replies (8)

bloodroses19 Dec 29, 2004 04:27 PM

i use carpet too and i also hate it. im thinking of switching to somekind of tiles or something that can be eaisly whiped up. good luck.
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brandy

iggyluver Dec 29, 2004 08:44 PM

My opinion is to use linoleum flooring because it is in the closet and it will protect the floor. I would also put linoleum up the walls about a foot and then seal the seams with 100% silicone so when he spills his food/water or decides to poopy paint you can wipe everything down. Also the 100% silicone (the aquarium kind) is non-toxic when fully cured, but the kind made for bathrooms has a mildew inhibitor in it which i know is toxic to use with amphibians so i would be safe and not use the mildew resistant one. If you want it to be easier still, just lay down newspaper on top of the linoleum and throw that out when it is soiled. Just my opinion.

Mark

debs1018 Dec 30, 2004 09:19 AM

We used for Tiny's cage that fake flooring that is sticky on the bottom and stick to wood really well. I got it from Home Depot. We bought the one that is a full sheet and cut it down to the size that we needed. Cleans up really easy. It is called Lenoileum (spelling is wrong sorry).
debs
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The addiction can be dangerous. 1 Uro named Buddy aka Big Boy & 1 Ig named Tiny

mike d Dec 30, 2004 08:07 PM

what do you guys think about cypress mulch? i used that when i ahd my tegu and people in the tegu and monitor forums love the stuff..
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1.0.0 adopted iguana
0.0.2 Hedgehogs
My Email

YOU DONT OWN YOUR IGUANA, YOUR IGUANA OWNS YOU

HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH

R.I.P INDIAN LARRY

iggyluver Dec 30, 2004 08:38 PM

The simple answere is NO. Many people who are the most respected in iguana husbandry will tell you no to particulate substrates as well. First off iguanas are active animals that will curiously explore everything in front of them. Eventually he WILL eat a piece, either by accident or curiousity. This could lead to the need for expensive surgery and way too much stress for something that could be avoided. Also, when a healthy ig defecates it releases a large amount of liquid which will absorb into the bark surrounding the feces, so even when you think you have it clean, there still will be a breeding ground for little nasties in the humid warmth of an ig cage. Remember this is only my opinion on this matter and i am by no means an expert.

Mark

chibicricket Dec 31, 2004 06:22 AM

I don't know if this helps anyone, but my iguana was toilet trained when he was younger, so we didn't need substrate. Before that we used puppy training papers, which are like a big sponge. Now, he's too big for the toilet, and uses a kitty litter pan lined with newspaper. We had tried cedar chips at one point, but he kept licking them and I was afraid he'd eat it, so we threw them out.
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~*Chibi*~
Sir Iggy (El Salvador Blue Iguana), Ryo-ohki, Orion, Bud, & Finnegan (4 crazy kitties), Rosebud (cockerspaniel), and Kayko (leopard gecko)

debs1018 Dec 31, 2004 09:30 AM

No way!!!! He can eat it and then get impacted. Use lenolium (sorry for the spelling) it is safe and cleans up really well.
debs
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The addiction can be dangerous. 1 Uro named Buddy aka Big Boy & 1 Ig named Tiny

mike d Dec 31, 2004 10:09 PM

i figured it would be no. but i figured i would ask.. figured it may be ok cuz people told me to use it with my tegu when i had him.
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1.0.0 adopted iguana
0.0.2 Hedgehogs
My Email

YOU DONT OWN YOUR IGUANA, YOUR IGUANA OWNS YOU

HAPPINESS IS LIKE PEEING ON YOURSELF, EVERYONE CAN SEE IT BUT ONLY YOU CAN FEEL THE WARMTH

R.I.P INDIAN LARRY

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