Biotank

[dragonscales]

Hello all, I like the idea of a biotank. But what’s better for the dragon? Biotank or tile? I just want my beardie to thrive. If you’d go with a biotank what would you use? What soil,
moss and sand and plants etc?One of my biggest concerns is impaction. thanks much.

 

[Skybug]

I think whats “best” is the dragon being in a loving, caring, environment first. tile vs bioactive is a hard debate, they both have pros n cons that could make u pick one over the other.
Tile: pros
“Easy” to clean ………is there any other pros? Lol idk i cant think of any.
Tile: cons
Doesn’t look natural, can hurt ur beardies joints pretty bad if u have high decor.

bioactive: pros
Easier to clean (just pick up whats dirty) , looks natural, encourages natural behaviors like digging.
Bio: cons , they can eat it, you have to do it right,… right substrates, right amounts (NO all sand tanks!!! Not even 50%!) absolutely no substrate thats dusty.

TLDR: Ive had tile, ive had bioactive setups, i quite prefer substrate over tile, it needs to be done right if ur going down the substrate road.

i can go indepth into what ur options are for substrates, but really you want a mix (in my opinion) and i think u should do some research before going further,…. Look up “bio dude bearded dragon bioactive” “serpa design bearded dragon bioactive” they’re both very good at describing some of what you’ll need,…. They both go to the complete extreme of bioactive, so dont be disheartened when u see all what they do,,, all u really need is 20%play sand, 10%bark chips, 30%coco fiber (10%spagnum moss optional) 20-30% garden soil (no fertilizer or “hydro balls”) and the rest of the substrate you want leaves and other materials that the cleaning crew bugs can eat (palm bark, freshly dried leaves, moss, Lichen) lemme know if u have any more questions.

In my bearded dragons home i have two types of hardening clay: back left is “stone desert” red brand, front left is “excavator clay” brand, i have “play sand” in between them both to make a “lizard litter box” on the right side i have clay balls as a drainage layer (only needed if u have plants/ i dont (my girl ruins plants) next is a layer of “weed barrier” so my substrate doesn’t leak into the clay balls, for my substrate its garden soil, sand, small amount of clay, coco fiber , all mixed together, and a last layer of “repti bark” chips (i dont like the “mixed” look of substrates)