I love them! I really wish I could set up a bioactive or naturalistic tank for my leopard gecko but he has some special needs that keep me from doing so. He has an eye deformity/birth defect on one eye so he gets substrate stuck in his eye ( I have tried ), has had a prolapse when he was a tiny baby, and is a big clumsy when it comes to eating ( he has super bad aim ). So for now, I try to make paper towel look as narutal as possible with tons of fake plants and naturalistic hides.
i guess Im asking the wrong place but does someone know of a tool to log back into an instagram account? I somehow forgot my account password. I would love any tricks you can give me
Dollar tree has really nice back splash tiles that look like bricks and stuff. You just have to weed out the actual nice ones. They're sticky but you can just place it down and they're obviously cheap. Easy to clean too
They turned out so beautiful! My male leopard gecko is in a 40 breeder watching this really made me want to try something with his enclosure! Especially since it 's so large I would have lots of room to make cool structures
I would’ve mixed the substrate with a small amount of spahgnum moss or eco earth to hold humidity. But your enclosure looks great and I’m sure the gecko will thrive
I don’t want humidity in the whole tank, but I want a humid area. Before I add the geckos I’m adding more to create a humid area for them. Just didn’t want to do it yet as the geckos aren’t going in them for another 1-2 weeks :) I also wouldn’t suggest eco earth, it’s not a true soil and is very dusty, stringy and soft. It’s better to go for a more soil like substrate!
What will you do when substrate needs to be changed? Redo this? The liquid that comes out when they use the bathroom is going to soak into that. I’m curious of what you think because I might do something similar.
Love your ideas, Love your video because another guy was talkin about it on UA-cam. This is the way I like to build my rock structures inside my enclosures. That's why I like watching the other guys channel.So I've subscribed to your channel too. Will that foam give a lot of support for those rocks? Because that is a great idea. Thank you
Me personally I would add a little bit more plants but it looks great!! I haven't herd really good things about that substrate but I have never used it so I can't comment on that.
I feel like this would be incredibly difficult to clean… it’s not bioactive so you’ll need to replace the substrate regularly and disinfect the tank. I worry that it would be hard to get it all out, and that the porous surface of the foam would hold on to dirt and bacteria.
Right! Might I add they love to dig and the minimum requirement for a leopard gecko is 40 gallons breeder to have the hot side and cold side gradient and that won’t happen in this enclosure as it’s a square.
Great video! I do have 1 question. Where did you purchase that rock background from? Im getting a 4×2×2 enclosure and thats something i would like to get.
That is a BEAUTIFUL set up. Just were do you have the moist hide hid in there... I made an entire 3 sided background for my leos 40g out of spray foam its fun to carv and create I cant wait to get it done and double his roaming room..
I saw this at the recent Tinley park NARBC. The gentlman at the display said that it held its shape only if it stayed wet, but based on your video it seems like it is more similar to excavator sand. Is it holding up when dry?
So just got his stone desert for my tank and it’s been drying for 2 days but isn’t full dry yet. Is this normal? I did make my slightly more wet and clay like than you but seems to be going very slow…
These look amazing! My only question is how to properly clean them when it's not bioactive and the substrate is glued down? (I realize leopard geckos aren't particularly messy but it's still a thought I had) but seriously beautiful enclosures! 💜
Thank you! The majority of the substrate isn’t stuck down, it’s mostly all loose. Very easy to just scoop out the areas that need cleaned. I also do plan on making them bioactive, I just don’t have the supplies right now as my province is still in lockdown.
@@EmmaLynneSampson thanks for the reply! I'm really excited to see how it works bioactive. I'm in the middle of doing a bunch of upgrades right now too so I'm looking for inspiration. And I'm in Ottawa too, there are places that are delivering like critter jungle for bio supplies just in case you didn't know! 💜
Great set ups. I’m about to do the same. What do you use for a humid hide? Or did you no put one in? I have a exoterra humid hide that I was thinking I could incorporate.
I have a question ? I'm getting my Leopard Gecko in a couple of days and was wondering if I could use these Clay pebbles that have been sitting around for a year. Never used them & thought they might be a good thing to put in my 75 gal. Tank. I plan on washing them first..
I want to get the exo terra substrate but i’m scared my leo will ingest some when eating, which has happened with other sand based substrates. Does your leo ingest any?
I was wondering if this substrate used dry and not in clay form could be dangerous and create intestinal obstructions like sand? I just did the soil of my terra for one of my leopard geckos but with the gray one
So this substrate is quite different from sand, and there’s really no risk of it hardening inside the animal. In order for the clay to harden, it must be wet, and then exposed to air and allowed to dry. If ingested, it’s not going to be exposed to air so it’s not going to harden. It’s actually very fine, and very crumbly and 100% natural. If ingested, it should pass through just fine assuming your care is correct. The reason why calcium sand can harden inside a gecko and cause a blockage is because it clumps together when wet - this substrate is the opposite. It falls apart when wet and must be exposed to air to harden. There is a lot of misinformation out there about loose substrate and impaction. Impaction is not usually caused by substrate alone, but instead is caused by incorrect care such as improper heating. These animals are more intelligent than we give them credit for, if they happen to get substrate in their mouths, almost always they will spit it out. I’ve observed it in many of my animals. And then any substrate that does get ingested, will pass through without a problem as long as it was a safe substrate, and your heating correct. If your temperatures aren’t high enough the animals digestive function may be compromised, leading to higher risk of impaction
When wet it actually falls apart. It needs to be exposed to air in order to dry which is why you don’t need to worry about it hardening in your animal. If you read the reply above there’s a bit more information on that! :)
I've noticed almost everyone's Leo enclosures are very bare as far as coverage. Plenty of hides and ground cover, but not much foliage. Is this purposeful and preferred for Leos or just an esthetic preference? Looks amazing just wondered why there are no hanging plants for some cover while climbing up high if you're ok using fake plants in this temporary enclosure? Do they act more social with more sparce foliage? Just curious? My Leos have vines hanging around most of the cage except on the doors but they can be a bit skiddish randomly?
Leopard geckos don’t really come from places where there’s a lot of foliage. Most of their hiding opportunities are going to come from rocks, caves, wood, etc. Having open space for them to explore is also just as important as having hiding spots as well! I do plan on adding a bit more to the enclosures before adding my lizards though. Not to say you can’t add more plants if you want to, but it’s just not really how they live in the wild and I was going for a naturalistic look!
Loved the video! I have been trying to find a substrate for my leopard gecko Maui for a while now and I really like the one you used but I cant seem to find it anywhere, do you know where I could buy it? It doesn't matter if its online or in store.
The loose substrate can be scooped out the same as any other substrate would be, If you need to do anything with the solid pieces though you’d have to sort of break them off and then replace them!
what lights and heat lamps do you use for this enclosure? i just got the same one i think (25 gal) and i don't think the lamp i have from the previous tank is enough heat for the enclosure. pls help me if u can
A 50W PAR30 or PAR38 halogen flood bulb connected to a dimmer or dimming thermostat would be ideal. Tube UVB is also beneficial. Also, 40 gallons or bigger is recommended.
What is the dimensions of this exo terra? My Leo is currently in a 20gallon long and I want to upgrade him to a nicer front opening tank of similar or slightly larger floorspace.
I’m not sure what Emma uses, although overhead heating is best. A halogen flood bulb connected to a dimmer/dimming thermostat is the most natural and beneficial option, Arcadia’s deep heat projector is the second best option. They produce infrared A and B like the sun, heat that penetrates deep into the skin tissue and heats them far more effectively than heat mats. Whereas heat mats only produce IRC, which only heats the surface of their skin.
I’ve tried to do mine this week a 30x30 enclosure but where the drainage layer and soil is on the glass there is always condensation is this normal my enclosure is exo terra
@@alicia-or4sp it doesn’t have an animal in it yet only set up a couple days ago just wanted to make sure the enclosure was ok. I am either going to keep a gecko or mantis
Impaction is caused by improper husbandry, not loose substrate. As long as their husbandry is correct (temps/heating, etc.) they’ll be able to pass it no problem.
won't the dry substrate when consumed become "clay" In the leopard geckos stomach? I own a leopard gecko and use eco earth for her dig box. the substrate turning into "clay" when wet can cause a problem when consumed. It will turn into "clay" in the leopard geckos stomach and they will become impacted. If i'm wrong please let me know but i'm concerned for you Leos. I'm not trying to tell you how to take care of your animals by any means, I just want to make sure no leopard geckos are harmed with this substrate. Thanks, :)
This basically does the opposite. When wet - it becomes a soft mush. It needs to dry out in order to harden. So if ingested, it becomes very soft, fine particles which easily pass through the gecko. I actually made a follow up to this video discussing that in more detail - ua-cam.com/video/ncAIpcdpprY/v-deo.html
Excavator clay is just a mixture of multiple natural clays, and a little bit of fine stone grit which when made wet can form backgrounds, caves and hides. Exoterra stone desert is a mix of clay, decomposed granite, a variety of decomposed minerals, sand, and a little soil. It can effectively do everything excavator clay can when wet (forming solid backgrounds and burrows), but the fact that it is similar to the ingredients used to achieve a semi packed down top layer of substrate in a arid bioactive setup means that it could possibly also be used sparingly to be mixed in with normal bioactive substrates to achieve the hard rocky packed down soil most desert animals live on and make their burrows in
Thank you! And while it does look like sand, it’s incredibly different. Sand is made of tiny stones, this substrate is a natural clay soil, so it’s very soft. There’s very little risk of impaction when using a safe, natural substrate as long as your care is correct and you have correct temperatures. Impaction is rarely every causes by loose substrate alone, but instead is a result of improper care. These animals are a lot more intelligent than we give them credit for. They know the difference between food and dirt, and will spit out any substrate. A small amount that does get ingested isn’t going to cause issues. As long as the animal has proper temperatures, they should be able to pass any substrate no issue.
I’ve been thinking of ways to upgrade my Leo’s enclosure and this is it! I’m assuming you won’t be using a heat mat with this though right? Will you just be using a heat lamp?
Yeah I’m not going to be using a heat pad! I plan on using Arcadia deep heat projectors. I plan on using the slate stones as their basking spots since the slate will retain heat, giving them both belly heat and overhead heat!
@@EmmaLynneSampson oh awesome I actually started watching videos on dhp’s right after your video, I think that’s definitely your best bet! I’m definitely gonna get one too I hope they become the standard for leopard gecko care soon!
I don't want to sound negative because the enclosure is really nice but leopard geckos shouldn't be kept on sand and loose rock/sand substrates although to be fair I haven't used the exo terra stuff so maybe it is ok.
While it does look like sand, it’s incredibly different. Sand is made of tiny stones, this substrate is a natural clay soil, so it’s very soft. There’s very little risk of impaction when using a safe, natural substrate as long as your care is correct and you have correct temperatures. Impaction is rarely every causes by loose substrate alone, but instead is a result of improper care. These animals are a lot more intelligent than we give them credit for. They know the difference between food and dirt, and will spit out any substrate. A small amount that does get ingested isn’t going to cause issues. As long as the animal has proper temperatures, they should be able to pass any substrate no issue.
I can go into detail if you wish, but as a zoology doctorate student specializing In reptile care I can confidently say that impaction is not necessarily a issue summit substrate as much as it is a symptom of deeper common husbandry issues related to how we heat and hydrate our animals
You’re very wrong and have extremely outdated information. Loose substrate is much better for a leopard gecko. Please don’t spread old bad information.
I can discuss it in more detail if you wish but impaction isn’t inheritor caused by any particular substrate, it’s actually more of a symptom of deeper husbandry issues related to heating and hydration.
I’m hoping to add some live succulents in the future! Unfortunately my province is still in lockdown so I’m not able to get some right now but I’d love to in the future! And there aren’t any areas in the enclosure that I can’t access!
It’s wayyy over the minimum size ain’t no way you say that’s too small your probably keep your leopard in a closet your transformed to a gecko environment
I think the enclosures look great, but aren't you concerned about impaction? This is not hate, I'm just saying this because the substrate looks a lot like sand.
While it does look like sand, it’s incredibly different. Sand is made of tiny stones, this substrate is a natural clay soil, so it’s very soft. There’s very little risk of impaction when using a safe, natural substrate as long as your care is correct and you have correct temperatures. Impaction is rarely every causes by loose substrate alone, but instead is a result of improper care. These animals are a lot more intelligent than we give them credit for. They know the difference between food and dirt, and will spit out any substrate. A small amount that does get ingested isn’t going to cause issues. As long as the animal has proper temperatures, they should be able to pass any substrate no issue.
Gwen Tilelli sand actually isn’t that much of a issue in of itself for that matter either as crazy as it sounds. Impaction is actually more of a symptom of more deeply rooted care issues than it is a issue of substrate. Using things like a heat mat that only output infrared C (which is good for air and surface temps, but aren’t very bioavailable for our reptiles) is going to hinder some aspects of digestion and limit activity which can cause impaction, so I recommend using a halo Get it daylight incandescent heat lamp as they provide large amounts of infrared A,B,C, and uva (visible light) this is more useful for ou R reptiles to thermoregulate themselves with which means more active reptiles that are more able to digest and pass possible blockage risks. Also be sure your leopard geckos are eating prey items that have plenty of bodily fluids as a large part of their fluid intake is eating prey items. It’s also important to make sure humidity fluctuates between 25%-50% with the highest point being right after the sun goes down. This will also help to maintain optimal hydration. And lastly avoid substrates like calcium sand, and artificially manufactured sand grains. Calcium sand causes blockages and impaction because it forms hard calcium deposits in the intestine, and artificial grain sand is jagged which means it packs extremely tightly when wet. Natural grain sand and most natural substrates actually become fairly loose but goopy when wet which is easy for healthy animals to pass. These animals have to be adapted to passing fine grain substrate as they lye in areas with a substrate made of a hard top layer of soil, clay, sand, decomposed granite, decomposed mineral deposits, stones, pebbles, and sand.
@@kristinabowers820 it's still not recommended for most species of reptile. It's definitely not a safe substrate for leopard geckos and bearded dragons even if they have the right husbandry, but If you have an animal that requires sand like a Kenyon sand boa, that's fine. For leopard geckos, it's a no even if you have correct heating
J. T. They aren’t bad, but if you are going to go with a non glass tank I recommend, just going with a prebuilt brand as it’s way easier to adjust your heating and lighting where as with done diy setups you have to know how to do the wiring for all of the life support and electronics.
Love the idea of using the background foam to build the rocks! Enclosures turned out great!
Thank you!! Makes the enclosure much lighter too 😅
Really liked how you showed applying the Exo Terra Stone substrate. I'm working on a little project right now that I think that will work great on.
This was so satisfying to watch
thank you for recycling foam :)
This is so cool! I absolutely love the naturalistic look tied with fantastic hides. Repurposing the foam worked out so well.
I’m so bad with spray foam lol. Nice jobs Emma!
Spray foam is so fun to me 😂 Thank you!!
I love them! I really wish I could set up a bioactive or naturalistic tank for my leopard gecko but he has some special needs that keep me from doing so. He has an eye deformity/birth defect on one eye so he gets substrate stuck in his eye ( I have tried ), has had a prolapse when he was a tiny baby, and is a big clumsy when it comes to eating ( he has super bad aim ). So for now, I try to make paper towel look as narutal as possible with tons of fake plants and naturalistic hides.
you can use a rock like tile!
@@Grace-eu4nd yeah. I thought about doing that with a naturalistic back ground. I just need to go get some and get it cut. Lol
i guess Im asking the wrong place but does someone know of a tool to log back into an instagram account?
I somehow forgot my account password. I would love any tricks you can give me
@Davion Dean Instablaster :)
Dollar tree has really nice back splash tiles that look like bricks and stuff. You just have to weed out the actual nice ones. They're sticky but you can just place it down and they're obviously cheap. Easy to clean too
They turned out so beautiful! My male leopard gecko is in a 40 breeder watching this really made me want to try something with his enclosure! Especially since it 's so large I would have lots of room to make cool structures
I'm trying to do a renovation to my tank and this gives me ideas thank you :)
I would’ve mixed the substrate with a small amount of spahgnum moss or eco earth to hold humidity. But your enclosure looks great and I’m sure the gecko will thrive
I don’t want humidity in the whole tank, but I want a humid area. Before I add the geckos I’m adding more to create a humid area for them. Just didn’t want to do it yet as the geckos aren’t going in them for another 1-2 weeks :)
I also wouldn’t suggest eco earth, it’s not a true soil and is very dusty, stringy and soft. It’s better to go for a more soil like substrate!
3 comment awesome video today emma you are the best I always enjoy seeing all your amazing reptiles and animals 👍💪💯👍
Outstanding.
This is exactly the kind of video I love to watch! Thank you.
Thank you for watching 😊
Love them!!
It looks amazing. Like watching your videos. Keep up the good content 👍
These are absolutely stunning!
Thank you very much!
What will you do when substrate needs to be changed? Redo this? The liquid that comes out when they use the bathroom is going to soak into that. I’m curious of what you think because I might do something similar.
The substrate can be changed as easily as any other substrate can be. Just scoop out the areas that need cleaned!
Great job on the enclosures ! Cant wait to try that substrate
Thank you! It’s great!
Wow looks great.
Thank you!
Love your ideas, Love your video because another guy was talkin about it on UA-cam. This is the way I like to build my rock structures inside my enclosures. That's why I like watching the other guys channel.So I've subscribed to your channel too. Will that foam give a lot of support for those rocks? Because that is a great idea. Thank you
Me personally I would add a little bit more plants but it looks great!! I haven't herd really good things about that substrate but I have never used it so I can't comment on that.
I’m planning on adding more plants once my province is no longer in lockdown so I can go and get some haha
@@EmmaLynneSampson I really love that you did a naturalistic setup for your leo. And it looks amazing
Thank you!
Nice video Reptiles. Enclosed.
🤩 love it
Thank you!!
Love the music
Im curious if you planned out to use heat bulbs, deep heat projectors or side mounted heat mat?
I feel like this would be incredibly difficult to clean… it’s not bioactive so you’ll need to replace the substrate regularly and disinfect the tank. I worry that it would be hard to get it all out, and that the porous surface of the foam would hold on to dirt and bacteria.
Right! Might I add they love to dig and the minimum requirement for a leopard gecko is 40 gallons breeder to have the hot side and cold side gradient and that won’t happen in this enclosure as it’s a square.
Have fun cleaning that!
Awesome 👏❤️
Thank you!!
Nice to get free stuff
Great video! I do have 1 question. Where did you purchase that rock background from? Im getting a 4×2×2 enclosure and thats something i would like to get.
Great video
Thank you!
That is an inspiration for my beardie. What kind of silicone did you use for the background?
Amazing 💕
Thank you 😊
That is a BEAUTIFUL set up. Just were do you have the moist hide hid in there... I made an entire 3 sided background for my leos 40g out of spray foam its fun to carv and create I cant wait to get it done and double his roaming room..
I saw this at the recent Tinley park NARBC. The gentlman at the display said that it held its shape only if it stayed wet, but based on your video it seems like it is more similar to excavator sand. Is it holding up when dry?
Yeah it’s completely held up for me!
Me when she carves the foam “ that’s so creamy “
So just got his stone desert for my tank and it’s been drying for 2 days but isn’t full dry yet. Is this normal? I did make my slightly more wet and clay like than you but seems to be going very slow…
These look amazing! My only question is how to properly clean them when it's not bioactive and the substrate is glued down? (I realize leopard geckos aren't particularly messy but it's still a thought I had) but seriously beautiful enclosures! 💜
Thank you! The majority of the substrate isn’t stuck down, it’s mostly all loose. Very easy to just scoop out the areas that need cleaned. I also do plan on making them bioactive, I just don’t have the supplies right now as my province is still in lockdown.
@@EmmaLynneSampson thanks for the reply! I'm really excited to see how it works bioactive. I'm in the middle of doing a bunch of upgrades right now too so I'm looking for inspiration. And I'm in Ottawa too, there are places that are delivering like critter jungle for bio supplies just in case you didn't know! 💜
Thanks!! Yeah unfortunately they don’t have many arid plants or anything so I’m waiting until I can go shopping at some plant stores again 😂
@@EmmaLynneSampson how will you make this bio active if there’s no drainage layer?
Drainage layer or we don’t really need that. Also thanks for reusing foam
Great set ups. I’m about to do the same. What do you use for a humid hide? Or did you no put one in? I have a exoterra humid hide that I was thinking I could incorporate.
Very cool but a pain to clean?
I love your videos
Thank you :)
I have a question ? I'm getting my Leopard Gecko in a couple of days and was wondering if I could use these Clay pebbles that have been sitting around for a year. Never used them & thought they might be a good thing to put in my 75 gal. Tank. I plan on washing them first..
I was going to use them to grow but never got around to it..
How will you clean the moist hide
great job on the set up.
Have you ever used the habistat advance natural substrate? I have bought some but not sure it would be safe for her? Also awesome job 👏
Hi! Where did you buy the universal rocks background?
💚💚
Do you think this Stone Desert substrate would work with the Thrive wood composite terrarium? (the one from PetSmart)
hi! i love the vinegar water, how much water and how much vinegar did u use??
What did you use to build the structures? What kind of foam is that?
How do you clean this kind of enclosure? I notice my gecko likes to poop in one spot
Do you have problems with the clay sticking and clumping onto your geckos feet if they’re wet??
Do you think that this would adhere to a flat wooden vivarium surface? Or would you recommend sanding before hand
I can’t say for certain as I haven’t tried it, but I feel like it would work fine on a wooden enclosure!
How big is that tank?
How often do you have to change this substrate?
I want to get the exo terra substrate but i’m scared my leo will ingest some when eating, which has happened with other sand based substrates. Does your leo ingest any?
How did it hold up?
I was wondering if this substrate used dry and not in clay form could be dangerous and create intestinal obstructions like sand? I just did the soil of my terra for one of my leopard geckos but with the gray one
i was wondering that too especially sense when it gets wet it becomes hard and clay like, sound like a big impaction risk.
So this substrate is quite different from sand, and there’s really no risk of it hardening inside the animal. In order for the clay to harden, it must be wet, and then exposed to air and allowed to dry. If ingested, it’s not going to be exposed to air so it’s not going to harden. It’s actually very fine, and very crumbly and 100% natural. If ingested, it should pass through just fine assuming your care is correct. The reason why calcium sand can harden inside a gecko and cause a blockage is because it clumps together when wet - this substrate is the opposite. It falls apart when wet and must be exposed to air to harden.
There is a lot of misinformation out there about loose substrate and impaction. Impaction is not usually caused by substrate alone, but instead is caused by incorrect care such as improper heating. These animals are more intelligent than we give them credit for, if they happen to get substrate in their mouths, almost always they will spit it out. I’ve observed it in many of my animals. And then any substrate that does get ingested, will pass through without a problem as long as it was a safe substrate, and your heating correct. If your temperatures aren’t high enough the animals digestive function may be compromised, leading to higher risk of impaction
When wet it actually falls apart. It needs to be exposed to air in order to dry which is why you don’t need to worry about it hardening in your animal. If you read the reply above there’s a bit more information on that! :)
I know this is totally off topic but can corn snakes eat chicken/cow hearts occasionally?
Can they? Sure, but I don’t know that it would really be beneficial to them as they need whole prey food items
This was such a relaxing video. You have a wonderful voice. And you look really pretty in these latest videos!
Thank you, I really appreciate it and I’m glad you enjoyed the video 😊
@@EmmaLynneSampson Np. Thanks for inspiring me to get a leopard gecko. Looking forward to your next video!!
What is the rock backgrounds dimensions I’m trying to to find it but I’m worried of buying the wrong one
It looks nice but where’s the moist hide?
I’ll be adding a humid area before I put my geckos in!! I’ll show it in a future video :)
I've noticed almost everyone's Leo enclosures are very bare as far as coverage. Plenty of hides and ground cover, but not much foliage. Is this purposeful and preferred for Leos or just an esthetic preference? Looks amazing just wondered why there are no hanging plants for some cover while climbing up high if you're ok using fake plants in this temporary enclosure? Do they act more social with more sparce foliage? Just curious? My Leos have vines hanging around most of the cage except on the doors but they can be a bit skiddish randomly?
Leopard geckos don’t really come from places where there’s a lot of foliage. Most of their hiding opportunities are going to come from rocks, caves, wood, etc. Having open space for them to explore is also just as important as having hiding spots as well! I do plan on adding a bit more to the enclosures before adding my lizards though. Not to say you can’t add more plants if you want to, but it’s just not really how they live in the wild and I was going for a naturalistic look!
What is the vinegar/water ratio, great video
I usually use about 1/3 vinegar and 2/3 water
@@EmmaLynneSampson thx
Loved the video! I have been trying to find a substrate for my leopard gecko Maui for a while now and I really like the one you used but I cant seem to find it anywhere, do you know where I could buy it? It doesn't matter if its online or in store.
Which country are you in? I’ll try and find a store that sells it!
@@EmmaLynneSampson I live in the US.
I'm also trying to find the EarthMixArid in the US 🤔 but I can't find it anywhere 😟
How big is you tank
So how often do you need to clean this ? And how do you change the substrate ?
The loose substrate can be scooped out the same as any other substrate would be, If you need to do anything with the solid pieces though you’d have to sort of break them off and then replace them!
what lights and heat lamps do you use for this enclosure? i just got the same one i think (25 gal) and i don't think the lamp i have from the previous tank is enough heat for the enclosure. pls help me if u can
A 50W PAR30 or PAR38 halogen flood bulb connected to a dimmer or dimming thermostat would be ideal. Tube UVB is also beneficial. Also, 40 gallons or bigger is recommended.
Is it recommended to clean the brances first or can it go straight in terrarium?
It’s usually recommended to sterilize them by baking them in the oven, but this honestly usually isn’t necessary.
Is this similar to zoomed's excavator clay?
where are the hides?
Do you need to use Drylok to do this or can I just skip that part?
You might not need it but I would definitely recommend it as it will seal the foam foam and make cleaning much easier
How do you clean this
Where did you get the earth mix arid from?
I usually buy mine from a local pet store here in Ottawa called critter jungle, or I order it from ReptilesRuS
What size tank was it?
Could this exo Terra substrate be used for ledges for a crested gecko please
I don’t think so. I’d either buy ledges or make them out of foam.
What is the dimensions of this exo terra? My Leo is currently in a 20gallon long and I want to upgrade him to a nicer front opening tank of similar or slightly larger floorspace.
Medium low, which are 24”x18”x12”
What are you using for heat?
I’m not sure what Emma uses, although overhead heating is best. A halogen flood bulb connected to a dimmer/dimming thermostat is the most natural and beneficial option, Arcadia’s deep heat projector is the second best option. They produce infrared A and B like the sun, heat that penetrates deep into the skin tissue and heats them far more effectively than heat mats. Whereas heat mats only produce IRC, which only heats the surface of their skin.
I’ve tried to do mine this week a 30x30 enclosure but where the drainage layer and soil is on the glass there is always condensation is this normal my enclosure is exo terra
i’m pretty sure it depends on the animal you have in there, if it’s a leopard gecko you might want to spray with water a little less 🤷
@@alicia-or4sp it doesn’t have an animal in it yet only set up a couple days ago just wanted to make sure the enclosure was ok. I am either going to keep a gecko or mantis
Show us a vids where u clean gecko poops out pls
So is this substrate okay as far as like, impaction?
Impaction is caused by improper husbandry, not loose substrate. As long as their husbandry is correct (temps/heating, etc.) they’ll be able to pass it no problem.
@@nightinggale6470 sweet! Thanks for letting me know
How did you do the heating and lighting ?
I have not yet setup and heating and lighting. I mentioned that in the video I don’t have it yet. I’ll be showing in a future video what I do
@@EmmaLynneSampson oh sorry i guess i hadn’t caught that you had said that
won't the dry substrate when consumed become "clay" In the leopard geckos stomach? I own a leopard gecko and use eco earth for her dig box. the substrate turning into "clay" when wet can cause a problem when consumed. It will turn into "clay" in the leopard geckos stomach and they will become impacted. If i'm wrong please let me know but i'm concerned for you Leos. I'm not trying to tell you how to take care of your animals by any means, I just want to make sure no leopard geckos are harmed with this substrate. Thanks, :)
This basically does the opposite. When wet - it becomes a soft mush. It needs to dry out in order to harden. So if ingested, it becomes very soft, fine particles which easily pass through the gecko. I actually made a follow up to this video discussing that in more detail - ua-cam.com/video/ncAIpcdpprY/v-deo.html
@@EmmaLynneSampson okay thank you for explaining!
Is this the same thing as Zilla Excavator Clay?
It’s a similar idea, but the product itself is quite different
Excavator clay is just a mixture of multiple natural clays, and a little bit of fine stone grit which when made wet can form backgrounds, caves and hides.
Exoterra stone desert is a mix of clay, decomposed granite, a variety of decomposed minerals, sand, and a little soil.
It can effectively do everything excavator clay can when wet (forming solid backgrounds and burrows), but the fact that it is similar to the ingredients used to achieve a semi packed down top layer of substrate in a arid bioactive setup means that it could possibly also be used sparingly to be mixed in with normal bioactive substrates to achieve the hard rocky packed down soil most desert animals live on and make their burrows in
size of tank
24x18x12
The sand won't cause risk of impaction? Otherwise great job!
Thank you! And while it does look like sand, it’s incredibly different. Sand is made of tiny stones, this substrate is a natural clay soil, so it’s very soft. There’s very little risk of impaction when using a safe, natural substrate as long as your care is correct and you have correct temperatures. Impaction is rarely every causes by loose substrate alone, but instead is a result of improper care. These animals are a lot more intelligent than we give them credit for. They know the difference between food and dirt, and will spit out any substrate. A small amount that does get ingested isn’t going to cause issues. As long as the animal has proper temperatures, they should be able to pass any substrate no issue.
ok good, just wanted to make sure.
I’ve been thinking of ways to upgrade my Leo’s enclosure and this is it! I’m assuming you won’t be using a heat mat with this though right? Will you just be using a heat lamp?
Yeah I’m not going to be using a heat pad! I plan on using Arcadia deep heat projectors. I plan on using the slate stones as their basking spots since the slate will retain heat, giving them both belly heat and overhead heat!
@@EmmaLynneSampson oh awesome I actually started watching videos on dhp’s right after your video, I think that’s definitely your best bet! I’m definitely gonna get one too I hope they become the standard for leopard gecko care soon!
Is this it ok for uro’s
It might be ok. You want a substrate that’ll hold their burrows. A soil/playsand/clay mix is good.
@@nightinggale6470 ok thanks
I don't want to sound negative because the enclosure is really nice but leopard geckos shouldn't be kept on sand and loose rock/sand substrates although to be fair I haven't used the exo terra stuff so maybe it is ok.
While it does look like sand, it’s incredibly different. Sand is made of tiny stones, this substrate is a natural clay soil, so it’s very soft. There’s very little risk of impaction when using a safe, natural substrate as long as your care is correct and you have correct temperatures. Impaction is rarely every causes by loose substrate alone, but instead is a result of improper care. These animals are a lot more intelligent than we give them credit for. They know the difference between food and dirt, and will spit out any substrate. A small amount that does get ingested isn’t going to cause issues. As long as the animal has proper temperatures, they should be able to pass any substrate no issue.
I can go into detail if you wish, but as a zoology doctorate student specializing In reptile care I can confidently say that impaction is not necessarily a issue summit substrate as much as it is a symptom of deeper common husbandry issues related to how we heat and hydrate our animals
You’re very wrong and have extremely outdated information. Loose substrate is much better for a leopard gecko. Please don’t spread old bad information.
Impaction?? Anyone?
Please refer to this video as I discuss impaction - ua-cam.com/video/ncAIpcdpprY/v-deo.html
I can discuss it in more detail if you wish but impaction isn’t inheritor caused by any particular substrate, it’s actually more of a symptom of deeper husbandry issues related to heating and hydration.
Hi mamas
Additional real succulents would be nice. Are you not worried that the gecko will poop in the areas you won’t be able to reach to clean?
I’m hoping to add some live succulents in the future! Unfortunately my province is still in lockdown so I’m not able to get some right now but I’d love to in the future! And there aren’t any areas in the enclosure that I can’t access!
While it looks very nice I cant help but think that it is too small and you will have a very hard time cleaning it
It’s definitely not too small
It’s not to small I have a bigger tank but that’s still above average size
It’s wayyy over the minimum size ain’t no way you say that’s too small your probably keep your leopard in a closet your transformed to a gecko environment
I think the enclosures look great, but aren't you concerned about impaction? This is not hate, I'm just saying this because the substrate looks a lot like sand.
While it does look like sand, it’s incredibly different. Sand is made of tiny stones, this substrate is a natural clay soil, so it’s very soft. There’s very little risk of impaction when using a safe, natural substrate as long as your care is correct and you have correct temperatures. Impaction is rarely every causes by loose substrate alone, but instead is a result of improper care. These animals are a lot more intelligent than we give them credit for. They know the difference between food and dirt, and will spit out any substrate. A small amount that does get ingested isn’t going to cause issues. As long as the animal has proper temperatures, they should be able to pass any substrate no issue.
@@EmmaLynneSampson ok! I'm not against loose substrate, it's just that specific substrate looks like sand, but thanks for letting me know
Gwen Tilelli sand actually isn’t that much of a issue in of itself for that matter either as crazy as it sounds.
Impaction is actually more of a symptom of more deeply rooted care issues than it is a issue of substrate.
Using things like a heat mat that only output infrared C (which is good for air and surface temps, but aren’t very bioavailable for our reptiles) is going to hinder some aspects of digestion and limit activity which can cause impaction, so I recommend using a halo
Get it daylight incandescent heat lamp as they provide large amounts of infrared A,B,C, and uva (visible light) this is more useful for ou
R reptiles to thermoregulate themselves with which means more active reptiles that are more able to digest and pass possible blockage risks.
Also be sure your leopard geckos are eating prey items that have plenty of bodily fluids as a large part of their fluid intake is eating prey items. It’s also important to make sure humidity fluctuates between 25%-50% with the highest point being right after the sun goes down. This will also help to maintain optimal hydration.
And lastly avoid substrates like calcium sand, and artificially manufactured sand grains. Calcium sand causes blockages and impaction because it forms hard calcium deposits in the intestine, and artificial grain sand is jagged which means it packs extremely tightly when wet. Natural grain sand and most natural substrates actually become fairly loose but goopy when wet which is easy for healthy animals to pass.
These animals have to be adapted to passing fine grain substrate as they lye in areas with a substrate made of a hard top layer of soil, clay, sand, decomposed granite, decomposed mineral deposits, stones, pebbles, and sand.
Sand doesn’t cause impaction with proper husbandry
@@kristinabowers820 it's still not recommended for most species of reptile. It's definitely not a safe substrate for leopard geckos and bearded dragons even if they have the right husbandry, but If you have an animal that requires sand like a Kenyon sand boa, that's fine. For leopard geckos, it's a no even if you have correct heating
Take a shot every time she says structure
dude...
Don’t buy hermit crabs but get animals without doing the proper research
What ???
Sorry Emma. What size tank is this.
24x18x12
@@EmmaLynneSampson I checked the price..omg so expensive😂 The new home looks so lovely.
@@EmmaLynneSampson can I please get your opinion on those Atasuki tanks. The ones you have to build. Do have anyone whose had used this tank.
J. T. They aren’t bad, but if you are going to go with a non glass tank I recommend, just going with a prebuilt brand as it’s way easier to adjust your heating and lighting where as with done diy setups you have to know how to do the wiring for all of the life support and electronics.
Horrible 😮