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Loose substrate???

Beardie Lover

Juvenile Dragon
Messages
130
So, I am contemplating whether to get my beardie a shelf liner substrate or eco earth. I want her terrarium to look natural…. Thanks, Skybug, for the inspiration…. But I am worried that she will get impacted. I would put her bugs into a dish, so she can’t eat the dirt. I also am doing a complete cage redo. I am getting a new 18 inch IVB bulb, and I am going to put some logs in her cage too. Also…. How would you mount a uvb fixture in a 16 inch high tank? Would that be to close to her? Thank in advance!
 

Sadie

Bearded Dragon Veteran
3 Year Member
1,000+ Post Club
Messages
10,690
So, I am contemplating whether to get my beardie a shelf liner substrate or eco earth. I want her terrarium to look natural…. Thanks, Skybug, for the inspiration…. But I am worried that she will get impacted. I would put her bugs into a dish, so she can’t eat the dirt. I also am doing a complete cage redo. I am getting a new 18 inch IVB bulb, and I am going to put some logs in her cage too. Also…. How would you mount a uvb fixture in a 16 inch high tank? Would that be to close to her? Thank in advance!
The T 8 is going to be good for the 16" high tank ---- it must be inside the tank and NO clear plastic cover over the bulb -- bulb needs to be exposed please get a Reptisun 10.0 T 8 they are one of the good ones on the market NO Zilla or Thrive brand --- you need to have a piece of basking decor directly under the UVB approx 6-8 inches for best effectiveness -- here are some things to hang it w/ 3 M command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire –long plastic zip ties-- fishing line potted plant wire hangers and this stuff I use it works great its like a Velcro strap cut into strips and wrap around the fixture https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-15-ft-Cable-Ties-Hook-and-Loop-Spool-Black-10375/304220195
 

Beardie Lover

Juvenile Dragon
Messages
130
The T 8 is going to be good for the 16" high tank ---- it must be inside the tank and NO clear plastic cover over the bulb -- bulb needs to be exposed please get a Reptisun 10.0 T 8 they are one of the good ones on the market NO Zilla or Thrive brand --- you need to have a piece of basking decor directly under the UVB approx 6-8 inches for best effectiveness -- here are some things to hang it w/ 3 M command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire –long plastic zip ties-- fishing line potted plant wire hangers and this stuff I use it works great its like a Velcro strap cut into strips and wrap around the fixture https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-15-ft-Cable-Ties-Hook-and-Loop-Spool-Black-10375/304220195
Any advice on my substrate situation??
 

Sadie

Bearded Dragon Veteran
3 Year Member
1,000+ Post Club
Messages
10,690
The T 8 is going to be good for the 16" high tank ---- it must be inside the tank and NO clear plastic cover over the bulb -- bulb needs to be exposed please get a Reptisun 10.0 T 8 they are one of the good ones on the market NO Zilla or Thrive brand --- you need to have a piece of basking decor directly under the UVB approx 6-8 inches for best effectiveness -- here are some things to hang it w/ 3 M command Velcro fasteners- picture hanging wire –long plastic zip ties-- fishing line potted plant wire hangers and this stuff I use it works great its like a Velcro strap cut into strips and wrap around the fixture https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-15-ft-Cable-Ties-Hook-and-Loop-Spool-Black-10375/304220195
You can get some textured NON adhesive shelf liner from Walmart or your local home improvement store - its easy to clean w/ vinegar / water 50/50 or slated ceramic tile - that would need to be cut w/ a tile cutter so you dont get jagged edges --- same cleaning - I know you said you wanted something more natural but I am not real savvy on the natural substrate - you can check out the biodudes website and see if he can give you some ideas on how to get the natural substrate in the tank --
 

Beardie Lover

Juvenile Dragon
Messages
130
Thanks Sadie. Also I took some pics of my uvb set up and I want your opinion.
 

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Skybug

Bearded Dragon Veteran
1,000+ Post Club
Messages
2,283
If you want just a regular Substrate id put a trash bag underneath all the substrate, if he eats it or you end up not wanting it, it’ll be easier to het rid of it, i have my beardy in a half arid bioactive setup, and two jungle bioactives for my other two lizards, ive attached a couple pictures, (my dragons original 40gal, her 120 gallon enclosure, her outside in our plants for hours at a time my crested geckos enclosure and my tokays enclosure , there’s lots of options for substrate, and they encourage natural behaviors, I recommend them in certain circumstances, if your dragon is getting enough vitamins and minerals he wont crave it, and if you bowel feed or hand feed there’s no risk of accidental ingestion, id start with a tub of something and see how yours likes it.
 

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Sadie

Bearded Dragon Veteran
3 Year Member
1,000+ Post Club
Messages
10,690
Thanks Sadie. Also I took some pics of my uvb set up and I want your opinion.
Yes that should be good-- when you get the UVB let me know I will help you get it placed-- did you want pics of my tank?
 

Sadie

Bearded Dragon Veteran
3 Year Member
1,000+ Post Club
Messages
10,690
How do I attach it to the screen?
You will haft to open up some of the screen and pull it through - snip a couple of the holes open to get the stuff thru so you can stick it to it self --
 

Beardie Lover

Juvenile Dragon
Messages
130
I am sorry for all the questions, but I also need a thermometer. Would this one work?
 

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Abbyroad52779

Bearded Dragon Egg
Messages
8
So, I am contemplating whether to get my beardie a shelf liner substrate or eco earth. I want her terrarium to look natural…. Thanks, Skybug, for the inspiration…. But I am worried that she will get impacted. I would put her bugs into a dish, so she can’t eat the dirt. I also am doing a complete cage redo. I am getting a new 18 inch IVB bulb, and I am going to put some logs in her cage too. Also…. How would you mount a uvb fixture in a 16 inch high tank? Would that be to close to her? Thank in advance!
You should consider slate tile, it's relatively cheap, extremely easy to clean so you don't have to constantly replace it, retains heat and bugs can't hide under it when they're eating. It's good for their nails also. I tried all different kinds of substrates but my lil Clementine has responded the best to the tile!
 

Bailey

Bearded Dragon Veteran
3 Year Member
Messages
572
Location
United States
You could even get creative and DIY a rocky mat to use as a enclosure, or make it with shelf liner as a base. Just make sure the products you use are going to be able to be cleaned and make sure they are durable and won't come apart.

Just a suggestion, can't wait to see your natural enclosure :)
 
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