Not to pile on but...

Edited by M_Ants, March 15 2021 - 1:44 PM.

I get it! Sand is not good for geckos. I said I Will, change the substrate to a rocky ground, but in between the rocks, will be sand. Not enough to impact a gecko.

It's not like they have to swallow a bucket of it. If you're dead-set on something naturalistic, try purely slate.

I get it! Sand is not good for geckos. I said I Will, change the substrate to a rocky ground, but in between the rocks, will be sand. Not enough to impact a gecko.

Why still include the sand? Might as well just make it as safe as possible

 

the best substrate option is actually not using any at all, and instead using a carpet or paper towel for them. easy to clean, no impaction, great. you need to change the substrate quickly before your gecko gets sick.

Not to be 'that guy', but reptile carpet and paper towel is still substrate  Regardless, you're definitely correct. My favorite is Duck brand smooth top non-adhesive cabinet liner, as it doesn't harbor as much bacteria as reptile carpet and their nails can't get caught on it. It's also safe to put in the washing machine. Here's what I use.

 

ah yes. I guess I messed up on that part lol... thanks for the reminder.

Not to pile on but...

goherping is a horrible source fyi

also, sand and topsoil 50/50 is perfect. Just stay away from calicisand. With perfect husbandry they will not get impacted. 

 

the best substrate option is actually not using any at all, and instead using a carpet or paper towel for them. easy to clean, no impaction, great. you need to change the substrate quickly before your gecko gets sick.

Not to be 'that guy', but reptile carpet and paper towel is still substrate  Regardless, you're definitely correct. My favorite is Duck brand smooth top non-adhesive cabinet liner, as it doesn't harbor as much bacteria as reptile carpet and their nails can't get caught on it. It's also safe to put in the washing machine. Here's what I use.

 

agreed, tho reptile carpet can rip their toes out

I know what her substrate should look like. I will upload more pics when I'm done with it.

 

Not to pile on but...

goherping is a horrible source fyi

also, sand and topsoil 50/50 is perfect. Just stay away from calicisand. With perfect husbandry they will not get impacted. 

 

Replace the sand in that mix with clay, and it’s ok, but not ideal. Stay away from sands of all types. It’s not in their natural environment. Used to have a friend who had a leo, kept it on sand. It got impacted, stopped eating, and died. Do what’s best for your gecko, not what looks best for you.

I don’t see any benefits that could possibly arise from using sand, other than aesthetics. 

I think I will use coco fiber, is that good? (also my geckos name is coconut....so coco fiber would match her name.)

Coco fiber's a bit better, but it can still lead to impaction. The best substrates would be paper towel, slate, tiles, and shelf liner. This isn't really a reptile forum though. Try joining a reptile forum/discord like OurReptileForum.com or The Menagerie. 

Edited by Spazmops, March 16 2021 - 7:41 AM.

I want it to look like the geckos natural environment, so I will use coco fiber with some big flat rocks to block of some of the substrate.

Like on top of the substrate.

I want it to look like the geckos natural environment, so I will use coco fiber with some big flat rocks to block of some of the substrate.

Like on top of the substrate.

It’s better than sand at least. Coco fiber is easier to digest in case of accidental consumption.

If you're using an under tank heater, it'd be best to skip the coco fiber layer for better heat transmission. 

I also never see my gecko lick anything, execpt for herself sometimes.

I think coco fiber is fine.

I also never see my gecko lick anything, execpt for herself sometimes.

I think coco fiber is fine.

Geckos are crepuscular, so for one thing she is most likely asleep when you watch her (unless you observe her at dawn and dusk I guess). And there’s no way you could watch her every single moment of the day. 

May I ask, why do you want to use coco fiber? It’s hard to keep dry enough for a leopard gecko, and while it could work, just using tile is much safer.

 

I also never see my gecko lick anything, execpt for herself sometimes.

I think coco fiber is fine.

Geckos are crepuscular, so for one thing she is most likely asleep when you watch her (unless you observe her at dawn and dusk I guess). And there’s no way you could watch her every single moment of the day. 

May I ask, why do you want to use coco fiber? It’s hard to keep dry enough for a leopard gecko, and while it could work, just using tile is much safer.

 

I want to use something that looks natural. Like big flat rocks or something. Could I use that? Flat rocks.

Yes, that's what slate is. As long as it's thin enough to transmit heat well (if you're using a uth). 

Then I could use that. Do they even sell them at pet stores? 

Depends on the store.