Substrate

[TanMan57]

I was just wondering if you guys can give me a list of substrate i can look for while im at home depot getting paint and stuff for my new cage. It would REALLY be appreciated since ill be out and about tomorrow. Oh by the way theres no cypress mulch around here.

 

[GOT_TEGUS]

cypress mulch is the best to use. But when I was up at home depot they only have pine nuggets. so I went to Wal-mart they had cypress and eucalyptus both work good for GUs.

JD

 

[simon021]

Zoo Med Eco Earth bricks is another alternative. My GU has been eating tiny pieces of mulch here and there. I dont think they are big enough to be a problem, but I'm switching him over to eco earth for the time being. It's much more expensive than cyprus. I used 8 cu ft of mulch in my 150 gallon tank, which was like 10 bucks total. I ended up buying 5 packs of 3 bricks of the eco earth, which should be more than enough. It cost me ~40 bucks shipped for the eco earth. Much more expensive, but I'm not going to take any chances with him eating the mulch anymore.

 

[kschlunegger]

Hey Tanman, most people that will reply to you are not from Cali. They all say to get cypress mulch. However, they do not sell it in Cali. This is an area that I have been trying to figure out for a while. I have a large indoor cage (6'X3') and the eco bricks are hella expensive. I am trying to get info on EarthGro at home depot, but I have found no help. If you ever solve this then please let me know.

 

[Herplings]

I have gone back and forth so many times with substrates.

I have used cypress, because its cheep and easy, comes in massive bags. Its nice for the larger cages with a lot of sq-ft.

I have used chipped walnut shell. Its easy to clean, clumps well and you can scoop it like cat litter. Stupid expensive thou, and holds humidity for crap.

I have used Eco-Earth, but like stated it can get expensive when your trying to fill a 6x2 cage with 2 or more inches of the stuff.

And then, I thought one day. These animals, don't live in a flower garden in the wild. They don't live on shredded wood chips, or farm milled aspen. They live on dirt.
Dirt works pretty good, I have tried that too. You can even seed it and get some nice grass growing in the cage. I know it sounds silly, but the grass is a natural filter, so is the dirt. Holds heat well, humidity well. But.... Its some high maintenance.

So, when it comes to the Monitors/Tegus... I am always trying new substrates.

 

[TanMan57]

Ok thanks everyone when im out tonight ill be looking for all mentioned