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What substrate?

 
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stoopidgreg
I'm new here...


Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2007 6:41 pm    Post subject: What substrate? Reply with quote

i'm planning on getting a crested gecko, which will be my first reptile. i've read up everything i can find about these little guys but there's not much info on what substrate they like.

i read that "potting soil" is a good choice. is that just the same as compost? i have a big bag of compost in the garden i could use.

also, if anyone knows of any crested gecko breeders in scotland that would be great. so far i've only found one advert in a paper but the guy said he only has 2 males left and they're tail-less. i'd much prefer one with a tail. i'd also buy mail order, if anyone knows of any for sale.
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beege_3
Contributing Member


Joined: 23 May 2007
Posts: 182
Location: Blackpool, Lancs

PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2007 7:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Alot of people prefer paper when they are just little. I have my baby on coco bark, which comes in a compressed brick and expands.. Once in the tank, I have pressed it right down, to ensure that the gecko cant swallow any of it. This was recommended to me by Mark, of The Reptile Room (Cleveleys).
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stoopidgreg
I'm new here...


Joined: 28 May 2007
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PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2007 9:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i think i'm going to play safe for now and use kitchen roll. however, i read on here that it's a good idea to use something soft for when they fall. is kitchen roll still ok?

i see a lot of people here use more natural substrate, but isn't it a lot of hassle cleaning it out every day? how often do you need to change it?
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beege_3
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Joined: 23 May 2007
Posts: 182
Location: Blackpool, Lancs

PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2007 9:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was thinking about doing the same, but ho do you mist and hold moisture using kitchen roll? Confused
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2.0 Corn Snakes 0.1 Gargoyle Gecko
1.2 Royal Pythons
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Exalted Gecko
Key Member


Joined: 11 Mar 2007
Posts: 267
Location: Billingham, Teesside

PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2007 10:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For a young crestie if your not sure than yes use kitchen roll etc, but be aware that crickets etc can hide under it very easily!

I use sterilised top soil from B&Q which is cheap and is an excellent substrate if your planning on adding some live plants, which can also be bought cheaply from B&Q (no I'm not on commision). I also mix in a bit of small wood chippings and a little coco fibre for colour and just a general good look.

If you want to get really artistic you can crush some dry moss between your fingers and scatter that about for an extra natural look.

Crestie's are happy with around 40% - 50% relative humidity so don't worry about humidity as long as your misting every evening. They come from a sub-tropical environment so don't need a rain forest environment.

Clean them out every 2-3 months if you like, I used to do once a year for a full clean and let the droppings decompose. If you have life plants and soil with this method you get a sort of micro insect that lives in the substrate and breaks waste down for you.
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stoopidgreg
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Joined: 28 May 2007
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PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2007 11:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

so you dont need to clean the droppings?? i read that you need to clean them out daily, and clean the viv weekly Confused

if you can get away without regular cleaning i might just opt for your idea. when you say sterilised do you mean it comes sterilised or you need to do that? do you just stick it in the oven for a bit?
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Phil1988
Captivebred Communist


Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 1589
Location: Manchester

PostPosted: Mon May 28, 2007 11:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What he means is that you can sort of churn the droppings into the substrate, and it breaks down. Sort of like compost does. You would still have to clean the glass and any decor in the viv. Also the bio-degradable substrate might not work for you and you could just end up with mould etc. Which isn't very nice Very Happy

I would just go with compacted eco earth or like Chris said some safe topsoil. Don't worry about trying to make a substrate that "cleans itself" and just clean it out yourself when it needs it.
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