Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I am looking to switch substrate for my ackie monitor's tank. I have been using a sand/potting soil/vermiculite mix that doesn't hold tunnels very well and gets really powdery as is dries out. I've found a place where I can buy garden topsoil or decomposed granite, both of which i've read good things about. Does anyone have any recommendations for/against these? And being that I've had a bit of a mite scare recently, is it recommended to treat the soil at all before putting it in the tank to avoid risk of pests? I also read to try oak leaves to cover the soil and keep in moisture, and I am wonderingbthe same thing about those. Is it just best to cross your fingers that you don't bring in any bugs that will be harmful to the monitor? Thanks
Angela

I think your issue might be more with your enclosure losing humidity rather than an incorrect substrate. Also if it's too shallow it may dry out prematurely from the heat lamps.
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Mike

Hi, how firmly have you tamped the substrate down? If not really firmly, it will dry out quicker and obviously not hold a burrow well?

I forgot to mention that the vermiculite is perhaps not a good idea. You don't want it accidentally ingested. I assume it came with the potting soil.
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Mike