Ceramic Tiles as substrate?

gargoyle · 02-15-05, 09:39 AM

I've heard this mentioned a few times and was wondering about it since I've got some new cages coming.

Is anyone using these tiles for there only substrate?

peterm15 · 02-15-05, 10:02 AM

i will be soon.. other than the stuff in a humid hide..

gargoyle · 02-15-05, 11:54 AM

Sounds like a good idea, I just wonder how good it is for there feet?

DragnDrop · 02-15-05, 12:13 PM

I use it for some of my leo tanks. It works great, no problems at all. Cleaning poop is easy and the UTH still works because the tile absorbs the heat.

It's no worse for their feet than what the wild ones get stuck with living with rocks and gravel.

Betty Miskie · 02-15-05, 03:24 PM

I use ceramic tiles in my cages. I even use them in the rubbermaid ones as it really disperses the heat and it is great for their tummies for belly heat.
Make sure if and when you are purchasing that you buy the kind that is not slippery looking. I by mistake did and that type did not work as good as the gecko tends to slid around on that kind.
Betty

DragnDrop · 02-15-05, 03:32 PM

I've got a few of the super shiny slippery and slidey ones, but I use them upside down. The UTH sticks really well to the top side, so flipping the tile over gives you the slightly roughened bottom with good traction. If you're lucky enough to have your leos potty trained to always use the same corner, you could put a slippery one there, top with a paper towel. Makes for super fast and easy cleanup.

gargoyle · 02-15-05, 06:38 PM

sounds good, I think I'll go down to the flooring store tomorrow and see what seconds they need to get rid of!

Painted Desert · 02-15-05, 08:03 PM

Well, i'd have replied sooner if i coulda gotten into my photo's!!

Slate tiles will be fine for their feet... remember, the substrate gecko's are native to is a mix of "hard scrabble"...like the stuff at the side of the highway. Nothing like natural rock. I wonder if it helps keep their nails trimmed down? I leave one corner for the substrate.

gargoyle · 02-15-05, 08:14 PM

Great looking cage, something like what I am thinking of!

TLH_Wär§cöötmän · 02-16-05, 12:15 AM

I'm using slate tiles under my layer of forest bedding to ensure that my Chinese Cave geckos cannot dig down to bare glass and burn themselves on the UTH. I am almost done the tank, but I have to wait till around April to get them

I might use slate as is if I can find nice pieces on my next tank. I lucked out tho, the tiles fit with less than 1 or 2 mm to spare (LOL!) I put catch straps to lift them up so I can take them out

otherwise I would be turning tank upside down to get a tile out LOL

bidden · 02-16-05, 10:23 AM

I use Slate tile (not ceramic), It looks great, it does keep the nails trimmed down, and as mentioned it works great with flexwatt or an UTH. the one downfall that I find is with the slate it is very Poreous(sp?) so when they poo the liquid can soak into the stone and the tile can retain the smell(frequent washing eliminates 90% of odor) Luckily enough mine are trained to go in one corner so I put a small square of papertowel and they go on that

Unfortunatly my beardie is not as predictable, he just goes everywhere... pain in the butt

I would recomend ceramic over slate for the above reason, ceramic is also cheaper.

Painted Desert · 02-16-05, 11:59 AM

Can't say as i have the same issue with the slate tiles as Bidden, no concerns with odor here..... When i first purchased the tiles, i did "seal" them with a water based clearcoat....but that was a few years ago, and i gave it up as i prefered the natural non-shine finish...not to mention less work!

bidden · 02-21-05, 11:58 AM

I didn't seal mine... maybe that's the ticket to getting rid of the smell problem....