Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi again,

what is the best substrate to use that has a low risk of causing impaction or parasites?

i was thinking maybe just peat moss or eco-earth but ill be fine with just useing paper towels if i have to,

but i'd like to use something better looking if at all possible, but still easy to keep clean,

so it would help if some of you could tell me your likes and dis-likes about them, thank you!
-----
1. Leopard Gecko: No Name Yet
3. Cats: Midnight, Tiger & Fluffy
rip. Leo: Larry, Crestie: Tuki

Peace, love & Goodness To All Creatures

of course paper towels are safest, but i use aspen shavings in most of my cages with great effect. people may disagree with me, but ive used them for every animal ive ever had with the exception of desert animals, and select other animals.

No offense but I would not use aspen shavings. Ok for snakes, but seeing as you want to maintain moisture and not cause any harm to your geckos (aspen can have sharp edges) I would avoid it. I use paper towel at home here, but I work at a science center with herps and we use New Zealand Sphagnum moss as a substrate. It carries less parasites and lasts longer without getting a rotten smell as other mosses quickly do. It might be a little tough to find at a pet store but you can order it online compacted and dried. Here is a link to something similar. http://www.gardeningwarehousedirect.com/cat_sphagnum.cfm
-----
12.5.15 Crested Geckos
0.1 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Tomato Frog
1.1 Ball Python
0.0.2 Poison Dart frog
www.geckoharmony.com

thank you for the advice, and the link!
-----
1. Leopard Gecko: No Name Yet
3. Cats: Midnight, Tiger & Fluffy
rip. Leo: Larry, Crestie: Tuki

Peace, love & Goodness To All Creatures

its not shavings, i really cant explain what it is. its like flakes, very soft and no sharp edges. it does retain moisture quite well too.

aspen is known to mold easily and i don't know of anyone who uses it for cresteds. cypress yes, aspen no.
-----
4.1 snakes, 5.6.1 crested geckos, 0.2 gargoyle geckos, 0.0.2 red-eyed tree frogs, 2.0 devon rex cats, 1.0 betta, 0.1 sun conure, 1.0 peachfaced lovebird, 2.0 lineolated parakeets

ehh it works fine for me, but then again my tanks dont have a lot of floor room where it is used so i guess that could be a good reason, but i noticed a lot of the jungle litters and dirts sold retail mold a lot quicker then this stuff.