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Post by rocmills on Apr 20, 2004 8:47:47 GMT -8
Hi Gang!
I've never had an iguana in a cage before, but we had to get a cage to isolate Bailey due to his increasing and violent seasonal aggression this year. However, I have no idea what to use as substrate.
Right now, we have a plastic liner in the cage - but shouldn't they have something more natural? I've seen newspapers mentioned as a substrate - but then I'd end up with dirty iguanas all covered in newsprint. Papertowels can get expensive. I've tried putting regular towels down in the cage, but the igs invariably bunch them all up in a pile and then poop somewhere else!
I did put a large pan of water in the cage two days ago - since both of our igs were raised to poop in the bathtub... but so far they just seem to think it's a tiny swimming pool. They lay in it, drink from it, but don't use it as a potty.
--Roc
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Post by Tesa on Apr 20, 2004 10:36:14 GMT -8
well......you've already tried everything I would have suggested. I have used all of those, and ended up staying with the pan of water. No matter what methos we choose, its still gonna be nasty! ;D
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Post by Lyn on Apr 20, 2004 11:15:46 GMT -8
and remember anything that would look great would probably be dangerous to your ig...like bark, shavings, sand....those are nono's I use newspaper and my igs are not covered in print....Lyn
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Post by Merlin on Apr 20, 2004 11:29:13 GMT -8
The floor in Zok's home is tile, with newspaper laid down on top of it. No sign of any ink transfer and she does sometimes get down and lay on it. It may not look natural but its safe. Zok is tub trained.
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Post by dominick on Apr 20, 2004 12:39:08 GMT -8
Hi Rox-
The square tiles or a sheet of Linoleum work great. I prefer the linoleum, it wipes up easily and you can remove the whole thing if it gets perticularly messy.
Tiles have to be adhered to the floor to keep it all neat and tidy, but they make a great permanent flooring.
I like laminate flooring (ie. Linoleum) because it has no seams and it CAN be removed.
I've also heard that slate, flagstone or large river rocks can be used and spot cleaned. Looks great, but I think the cleaning would be a headache for a large Ig.
Good luck with the bugger. Let us know how it's going.
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Post by mar on Apr 22, 2004 8:11:59 GMT -8
I have a heavy duty flexable plastic liner that velcros to the walls. Just pull it out, fold it up, and carry it to where I can easily clean it.
Bob mainly poops through one of his ladders into a plastic tub, wow that ig makes it easy -- nothing sticks to him and gets dragged through the cage/room then I can just pick up the tub, pour it into the toilet and wash it out.
I use a semi clear tarp and can see the carpet through it so you could get a natural look depending on what you put under it. Or you could use a green tarp for the grass look.
Mark
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Post by dominick on Apr 22, 2004 9:59:07 GMT -8
Great idea Mark!
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Post by rocmills on Apr 22, 2004 10:19:52 GMT -8
Mark must be psychic! We just bought one of those soft tray liners for the reptarium. It's heavy vinyl, has a 4-5 inch lip... it's already made the clean up process easier.
--Roc
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Post by mar on Apr 22, 2004 10:33:14 GMT -8
Why is this the second time that I have been called psychic for my cage ideas? I found the soft liners for the reptariums after I designed and built my cage. The soft liner I have is the only bottom that my cage has. For pics check out this thread: tesa.proboards24.com/index.cgi?board=housing&action=display&thread=1070852248From what I have seen of the soft liners sold they just set into the bottom. You may want to sew Velcro tape around the inside of the cage and outside of the top of the soft liner to keep your ig from digging under it. The self-adhesive type is not strong enough to hold permanently to the materials. How do you like the mesh of the reptarium? How strong is it and how visible is your ig through it? I am thinking about using a product like that when I make my outdoor cage. Mark
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Post by rocmills on Apr 22, 2004 11:26:26 GMT -8
How do you like the mesh of the reptarium? How strong is it and how visible is your ig through it? I am thinking about using a product like that when I make my outdoor cage. I think the reptarium is marvelous! It's light enough to be easily carried by one person; it's strong enough to support the weight of a fat housecat laying on top... the igs haven't been able to damage it yet... and the visibility is fine, up close or from a distance. --Roc
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Post by SurvivorSteph on Apr 25, 2004 15:44:00 GMT -8
I know this post has changed directions from the newspaper discussion, but I feel the need to add my two cents worth. ;D
For those of you that DO use newspaper, you can go to your local paper and ask for end rolls of newsprint. They may give it to you for free, but it shouldn't cost more than about 2 - 5 dollars. They come in different widths, and usually have quite a large amount of paper.
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Post by Kerrydaktyl on Apr 28, 2004 6:39:25 GMT -8
My ig goes through stages, from always pooing in his water tub, to pooing on as many things (plants branches etc) as possible and walking thorugh it before we get a chance to clear it up! Then of course scratching to get out of his smelly viv and smearing it on the glass lol!
I have spoken to one of my customers who is in the US, she uses puppy training sheets, apparently theyre like nappies (diapers?) but you put them where they poo and gradually move it close to the door and out side so your puppy goes there and eventually theyre trained. We cant get them over here in the UK but Im sure if you had a look round you could find them!
If you cant get hold of them I could email her.
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