Slate as BP/BD Substrate

I'm still trying to find a natural-looking substrate that is not loose and looks better than repticarpet or newspaper.

A solid piece that I can take out and clean is actually preferable for me to loose substrate as far as ease of cleaning, IMHO.

Is slate an option? Would the bearded dragon I'm considering getting in 5 or 6 months be OK on it? What about my current ball python? What about cement-covered foam like I have for my fake rock background as a floor? I figure it'd be smooth and easily cleaned and disinfected, but I don't know if the animals would hate it.

Thanks!
Jim

I would think that slate would be very difficult to get a proper temp variant across. For a beardie, it can work because the overhead light causes the heat. For a BP, with an UTH heater, it could be a different issue. If you try it, set it up for several days and test it constantly before introducing your snake into the enclosure.

I would think that heating issues would be very difficult. You could NOT use slate with an under the tank heater, which would really make it a no no for a bp. As for using it with a heat lamp, I don't think it would be impossible but it would be difficult and your chance of getting a burn more likely.

Tile is fine for a beardie. Like anything just make sure the temps are correct. Id also look into Ceremic tile for the beardie, Slate is really hard to clean if their poop is not found right away.

My BP is using an RHP at the moment, but I also have a second thermostat hooked up to a UTH for him set a bit higher... that does raise a very good point. I'll stick to more traditional substrates for my BP, then. Thanks for that!

For the potential bearded dragon, how is cement-covered foam or styrofoam as a cage bottom? I've been considering making a plastic enclosure and covering the sides and back with great stuff and cement. I could make a similar piece that is removable for the bottom and not really have substrate per se, but just wash the floor... Would this work?

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Originally Posted by jspuds

My BP is using an RHP at the moment, but I also have a second thermostat hooked up to a UTH for him set a bit higher... that does raise a very good point. I'll stick to more traditional substrates for my BP, then. Thanks for that!

For the potential bearded dragon, how is cement-covered foam or styrofoam as a cage bottom? I've been considering making a plastic enclosure and covering the sides and back with great stuff and cement. I could make a similar piece that is removable for the bottom and not really have substrate per se, but just wash the floor... Would this work?

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With the radiant heat panel the ceramic might not be that bad for a ball python. I still want to run some testing on it, but in nature when a ball python is looking at getting warm in the evening they will look for rocks that have been heated by the sun. I think a radiant panel over a ceramic tile could mimic this very well. My biggest issue with that type of set up is where would you put your thermostat probe and what to set it at.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jspuds

My BP is using an RHP at the moment, but I also have a second thermostat hooked up to a UTH for him set a bit higher... that does raise a very good point. I'll stick to more traditional substrates for my BP, then. Thanks for that!

For the potential bearded dragon, how is cement-covered foam or styrofoam as a cage bottom? I've been considering making a plastic enclosure and covering the sides and back with great stuff and cement. I could make a similar piece that is removable for the bottom and not really have substrate per se, but just wash the floor... Would this work?

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Spuds, I have a beardie in a large glass cages enclosure with sliding front doors. I went to Lowe's and purchased some indoor/outdoor carpet and cut several panels to fit perfectly inside the cage bottom. I then used a lighter to melt the edges, so no loose threads were hanging off of it. I put one in the bottom of the cage, then every week or two, replace it with a fresh one. The dirty one, I take outside soap up, hose off and let dry. It keeps the cage clean, the beardie seems to like it and it is really easy to keep clean.

Yeah, that might in fact be what I end up doing for my BP... I'll play with it. I could also just stick to newspaper or something until I move, at which point I'll be making new enclosures anyway.