|
|
Post by blood2086 on Jun 23, 2007 16:07:07 GMT -8
Hey there I am looking for a Iguana safe natural looking substrate. I was gonna make a tank of half cali sand half indoor/outdoor carpet but after investigating I found out calci sand is bad. What substrates can I use beside indoor/outdoor carpet? I want something that mocks there natural substrate. I read paper towels and newspaper but those are pretty tacky IMO. Im a month or 2 away from purchasing my iguana im just working on getting everything ready. Thanks guys.
|
|
|
|
Post by LotharsPeople on Jun 23, 2007 18:17:33 GMT -8
The substrate found in the wild is forest. ;D These guys live in the trees most of the time.
The carpet is a good choice, there are a few others as well that will do nicely, such as linoleum, vinyl tile or ceramic tile.
The most important consideration, in my opinion, should be how easy it is to keep clean.
My largest enclosure is six feet by twelve feet by seven foot six high, I went with vinyl tile, the type used in commercial applications. You would see them in most large retail stores. When sealed and waxed properly, they are a dream to clean. Lothar has been in this enclosure for about a year now and the finish is still as good as the day I put it down.
Depends a lot on the size of the enclosure and the tastes of the keeper too.
I suppose rule number one should be: Nothing that is small enough to be ingested by your Ig is to be used.
I hope this helps some.
|
|
|
|
Post by blood2086 on Jun 23, 2007 18:59:12 GMT -8
Maybe I should specify that I am using a 75 gal tank for now until it would get big enough to need a custom cage. But when I gotta make one tiles and stuff are a awesomeeee idea. I guess green grass carpet is best. My only issue with that is it melting. I got a 100 watt che on my snake tank and it melted the carpet underneath. Its also a 75 gal. So I was wondering what I can use that can take the heat.
|
|
|
|
Post by LotharsPeople on Jun 23, 2007 19:32:31 GMT -8
If the carpet you are using is melting, then the temps are too high. Check the care sheets for the proper temps.
|
|
|
|
Post by blood2086 on Jun 23, 2007 19:44:42 GMT -8
The temp as far whole tank isn't to high. I got the setup from a great snake guy here is Baltimore. Maybe the carpet is just garbage. Got it from home depot awhile back. Its the only carpet i've had an issue with melting.
|
|
|
|
Post by IguanaKing on Jun 24, 2007 6:55:50 GMT -8
Hi, blood2086! Welcome to IZ! ;D What are the temps in the enclosure? Proper temps are very important to the well-being of a reptile, and different species have different requirements. What is good for a snake, may or may not be good for an iguana. Its absolutely critical that you know what the temps are, this is something that you cannot guess at. Aside from that, I also recommend using linoleum. I have also tried vinyl tiles, but they had a tendancy to shrink in the high heat and humidity, and left gaps in between them that were impossible to clean. Mine were probably a great deal lower in quality than what LP is using though.  I have a single 7'8" X 4' sheet of linoleum on their floor now and it works really well. Very easy to clean too...just scoop up the poop, and follow up with an easy mopping. ;D Whatever flooring you choose, if you regularly receive a newspaper, lining the bottom of the habitat with your old news is a great way to make use of it. Then it becomes as easy as rolling it up and throwing it away. |
|
|
|
Post by blood2086 on Jun 24, 2007 7:41:56 GMT -8
Thanks great to be here. Yeah I was not planning on putting them together or anything I have 2 seperate 75 gal tanks 1 sits empty right now. Im just using it as a starter tank for when I go get my little bundle of joy. I would think linolem is better to be used for a big custom enclosure. I dunno i'll either go green grass or newspaper I guess. BTW the hot side of my snake tank is at 85 degress but directly under the che its like 94. And when I say melted I don't mean burned a hole through it just melted the grass part a little bit and made it hard.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tengtou on Jun 24, 2007 9:25:35 GMT -8
I used to use alfalfa hay. I'd just pour a whole bunch into the bottom of the enlosure. I dont use it anymore because it gets too expensive. Now I just line the bottom with newspaper.
|
|
|
|
Post by LotharsPeople on Jun 24, 2007 10:57:07 GMT -8
blood2086,
Sounds like you are talking about a type of fake grass looking carpet, sorry but I was thinking indoor-outdoor carpet in my head. That fake grass is made of recycled soda bottles, and is pretty susceptible to melting in a high heat environment. If you want to use carpet, take a look at the reptile carpet sold in pet stores. You should be able to find a remnant somewhere to do the job for you. If you go with carpet though, you will want two pieces. That way you just switch them out when its time to clean and wash and hang dry the dirty one.
|
|
|
|
Post by bandit258 on Jun 24, 2007 12:12:29 GMT -8
i roped in all my family to save there newspapers for me.... as we dont very often buy one....my ig has tons of the stuff x
|
|
I have a single 7'8" X 4' sheet of linoleum on their floor now and it works really well. Very easy to clean too...just scoop up the poop, and follow up with an easy mopping. ;D Whatever flooring you choose, if you regularly receive a newspaper, lining the bottom of the habitat with your old news is a great way to make use of it. Then it becomes as easy as rolling it up and throwing it away.
