Substrate for a beardie

BryanB · 04-24-13, 05:32 PM

Ok I found a ground walnut substrate and wanted to know what the thought was on it. I want a natural look but also want it to be safe I do not feed bugs in tank only greens and I have 2 dragons a full grown and a 8 week old. I figure leaving the baby on paper till about 5 months and some size is on her.

smy_749 · 04-24-13, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryanB

Ok I found a ground walnut substrate and wanted to know what the thought was on it. I want a natural look but also want it to be safe I do not feed bugs in tank only greens and I have 2 dragons a full grown and a 8 week old. I figure leaving the baby on paper till about 5 months and some size is on her.

You can just get prewashed play sand from walmart or something for the adult. Looks natural and its cheaper.

SpOoKy · 04-25-13, 02:10 PM

Soil/sand mixtures is my choice for substrate. They do really well on it. Walnut substrate is larger jagged chunks that can do more damage if injested.

Abby · 07-07-13, 02:13 AM

I'm currently using paper towels since mine is a baby...that leads me to ask, when she gets bigger, will I need something other than paper towels?

BryanB · 07-07-13, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abby

I'm currently using paper towels since mine is a baby...that leads me to ask, when she gets bigger, will I need something other than paper towels?

Need? No I just like a natural look

smy_749 · 07-07-13, 08:00 PM

Put a deep layer of sand and soil and watch them dig it up and mess around with it. No need for the tile and what not.

Abby · 07-07-13, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryanB

Need? No I just like a natural look

Okay! Thanks.

beardeds4life · 07-09-13, 05:50 PM

One thing I do not like about the sand and soil mix is it can get kinda smelly after just a week but my dragons feces do smell normally. I just found that I cant get rid of it with sand.

Mikoh4792 · 07-09-13, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beardeds4life

One thing I do not like about the sand and soil mix is it can get kinda smelly after just a week but my dragons feces do smell normally. I just found that I cant get rid of it with sand.

How do you spot clean? Do you just take out the feces and urates?

Usually urine and a bit of liquid from the feces will seep into the substrate(even for my snakes) so I usually take out the feces/urine along with the general area(about an inch or so diameter). When the substrate gets low I just add more.

poison123 · 07-09-13, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beardeds4life

One thing I do not like about the sand and soil mix is it can get kinda smelly after just a week but my dragons feces do smell normally. I just found that I cant get rid of it with sand.

Go bio-active.

beardeds4life · 07-11-13, 10:50 AM

I did spot clean and I did remove the surrounding soil but it was still just a pain and smelly. And my dragon hated it. Now I am building a backround out of foam and grout tat covers the bottom too and looks very nice.

smy_749 · 07-11-13, 10:59 AM

Yep, go bioactive. It will always keep that fresh foresty / dirt smell and you won't have to clean anything.

Mutiny · 07-15-13, 01:21 PM

Love the smell of my beardies enclosures cant go wrong with bioactive most beneficial substrate to offer a reptile imo.

hunter4life · 07-15-13, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abby

I'm currently using paper towels since mine is a baby...that leads me to ask, when she gets bigger, will I need something other than paper towels?

You don't need to change

I keep all of mine on crushed walnut since they were babies and have had no problem with it, I like it a lot because it sticks and absorbs the smell from beardie poop which is pretty gross :P)