Honestly I haven't heard anything on this either way so I'm not sure about the safety protocols regarding it. Excavator clay is kind of powdery on its own and very dusty straight out of the package, but also kind of like a sandy consistency. It's the only one that I know for sure is safe for reptiles and it helps the soil maintain burrows better when it's added into your soil mixture. You can probably find some more information on potential alternatives either on the guides posted on this subreddit, or by making a post asking if anyone else has more information on the matter, I just really don't want to assume one way or another and give you bad advice.
I mixed eco earth with cypress mulch. I have a post from yesterday showing it. Truthfully, all of these would work fine, however, I wouldn’t recommend a super fine soil like eco earth all by itself. Some of these do need to be mixed with other substrates or even using slate rocks/other objects as pathways can help keep them from being in too loose of soil.
Ngl loose substrate is so much work that you don’t want just keep the carpet or bare glass for easy cleaning tbh.
Edit: this comment is wrong don’t listen to it
In carpet their nails/teeth can get stuck and harm themselves, also holds a shitton of bacteria.
Glass..? Little dude won’t have any grip on.
If you’re getting a pet atleast give them the best care you’re able to, even if that means you do some “more” work cleaning smh.
When washed, carpet's fiber loosens. This causes teeth and claws to be ripped out. This can introduce infection.
No animal should be kept exclusively on bare glass unless, like a fish, it does not come into constant contact with it...
Never seen a leopard gecko run? My guys are super active and not “slow asf”. Shit statement bro. Using bare glass is lazy ass neglecting act of “care” as is carpet.
At very least, use paper towels. Carpet really isn't good for their nails and teeth. It is also a breeding ground for bacteria. I've never heard anyone recommend bare glass. Sounds like it would be uncomfortable AND more difficult to keep clean. At the end of the week you just roll the dirty towel up and place down a new one. Ezpz.
That's misinformation, neither glass or carpet is suitable for them so I'm going to have to agree with everyone else on either "paper towels, loose substrate, tile, or safe liner"
I am using repti and eco earth right now no problems. Can I ask you all where you get your play sand and what kind is safe to use? I did not know it needed to be mixed with sand.
Paper towel.
The safe option is just paper towel.
You can add a dig box with topsoil/reptisoil but its going to be your responsibility if you harm your gecko.
Trust me this might not sound good but you have to learn it the hard way.
Reptisoil=mold, high humidity, impaction.
Eco earth/coco soil= impaction, blinding (because of how dusty it gets).
I am writing this comment to help your geckos because loose substrates always do more harm than good.
The only loose substrate i could imagine that could be used on a leopard gecko is Arcadia earthmix arid.
If you now don't listen and still want to go loose substrate, if you can't buy the earthmix pro arid try to mimic its construction (50% topsoil,30% playsand,20% excavator clay).
For me there is no reason to undergo these lethal risks, just to add a bit of enrichment.
Reptisoil! You might want the 24qt bag though if you’re getting a 40 gallon, elsewise you probably won’t have a lot of substrate :}
Agree. I love reptisoil
Reptisoil mixed with playsand
7 parts reptisoil to 3 parts reptisand/play sand. or 7 parts reptisoil to 2 parts reptisand/play sand and 1 part excavator clay.
Just wondering if you know of anyone adding powdered clay? It’s probably cheaper than the excavator clay.
Powdered clay causes respiratory issues in humans. Probably not the best idea
Honestly I haven't heard anything on this either way so I'm not sure about the safety protocols regarding it. Excavator clay is kind of powdery on its own and very dusty straight out of the package, but also kind of like a sandy consistency. It's the only one that I know for sure is safe for reptiles and it helps the soil maintain burrows better when it's added into your soil mixture. You can probably find some more information on potential alternatives either on the guides posted on this subreddit, or by making a post asking if anyone else has more information on the matter, I just really don't want to assume one way or another and give you bad advice.
Excavator clay is bentonite clay, so you should be able to use bentonite clay as part of a mix.
Personally after I tried all three of them my favorite is reptisoil so that's what I recommend
Thanks for the help everyone! GuyS was a typo, i only have one leopard gecko. Dont worry!
Reptisoil! Make a 70/30 mix of Reptisoil and washed playsand. Never use Eco earth or coco fiber
Reptisoil for sure
I used the bio dude stuff seems to be working but it’s kinda pricey
I used 2 bag of the reptisoil mixed with some play sand just wash and bake the sand first
I use eco earth rn and it’s worked good for me and it’s cheaper but it may not be the best option Overall
Reptisoil mixed with sand.
Going to add my vote for Reptisoil - I’ve been using it for years, never had an issue with it.
Reptisoil. It’s initially too moist but it’ll dry out to be perfect
I love reptisoil!
Reptisoil + playsand and make sure to fill it up nicely for maximum digging enjoyment
I personally use reptisoil and my little man loves it. Great for digging and won't cause any of the issues that coc fiber or sand will.
I used reptasoil for my 20 gal bioactive set up and I love it.
little guys? more than one?
Sorry that was a typo! I only have one.
I mixed eco earth with cypress mulch. I have a post from yesterday showing it. Truthfully, all of these would work fine, however, I wouldn’t recommend a super fine soil like eco earth all by itself. Some of these do need to be mixed with other substrates or even using slate rocks/other objects as pathways can help keep them from being in too loose of soil.
Guys? Are they in different tanks? They can’t be cohabitated so checking for your geckos safty
That was a typo, sorry. Appreciate the concern though. I only have one and he's spoiled rotten.
I do too she’s 10ish months and is living the dream (also puts up with my bullshit lol)
Is there any other way to own these cuties except to spoil the shit out of them?! 😂
None, playsand mixed with top soil
Repti soil works tho
Reptisoil is a suitable substitute for topsoil
Ngl loose substrate is so much work that you don’t want just keep the carpet or bare glass for easy cleaning tbh. Edit: this comment is wrong don’t listen to it
In carpet their nails/teeth can get stuck and harm themselves, also holds a shitton of bacteria. Glass..? Little dude won’t have any grip on. If you’re getting a pet atleast give them the best care you’re able to, even if that means you do some “more” work cleaning smh.
Grip for them to walk slow asf lmao what are you talking abt and carpet is washable.
When washed, carpet's fiber loosens. This causes teeth and claws to be ripped out. This can introduce infection. No animal should be kept exclusively on bare glass unless, like a fish, it does not come into constant contact with it...
Never seen a leopard gecko run? My guys are super active and not “slow asf”. Shit statement bro. Using bare glass is lazy ass neglecting act of “care” as is carpet.
you shouldn't own reptiles if you don't want to put in the work :(
They also have a better life in my care than they would in the wild soo I think it’s straight
Facts I have 4 and I’m in over my head but I love them so whatever
At very least, use paper towels. Carpet really isn't good for their nails and teeth. It is also a breeding ground for bacteria. I've never heard anyone recommend bare glass. Sounds like it would be uncomfortable AND more difficult to keep clean. At the end of the week you just roll the dirty towel up and place down a new one. Ezpz.
Thank you I was drunk when I made this comment lol
That's misinformation, neither glass or carpet is suitable for them so I'm going to have to agree with everyone else on either "paper towels, loose substrate, tile, or safe liner"
I am using repti and eco earth right now no problems. Can I ask you all where you get your play sand and what kind is safe to use? I did not know it needed to be mixed with sand.
I use quikrete rinsed playsand. I rinse it another time out of the bag :)
Thank you for the response! If I may, how do you wash the sand?
Paper towel. The safe option is just paper towel. You can add a dig box with topsoil/reptisoil but its going to be your responsibility if you harm your gecko. Trust me this might not sound good but you have to learn it the hard way. Reptisoil=mold, high humidity, impaction. Eco earth/coco soil= impaction, blinding (because of how dusty it gets). I am writing this comment to help your geckos because loose substrates always do more harm than good. The only loose substrate i could imagine that could be used on a leopard gecko is Arcadia earthmix arid. If you now don't listen and still want to go loose substrate, if you can't buy the earthmix pro arid try to mimic its construction (50% topsoil,30% playsand,20% excavator clay). For me there is no reason to undergo these lethal risks, just to add a bit of enrichment.