Question about tile

Hey, I know that people usually use slate or ceramic tiles, but I was wondering if vinyl adhesive tiles would work for a bearded dragon? I've heard that some people worry about fumes when it gets hot, but others say it will only be a problem if it exceeds 120f?

Several years ago a friend of mine used the adhesive tile. She had problems with adhesion in the warmer cage temperatures. The tiles would slightly shift allowing debris and excrement to get into the small cracks between tiles. Not a pleasant smelling cage. :(

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Originally Posted by 55fingers

Hey, I know that people usually use slate or ceramic tiles, but I was wondering if vinyl adhesive tiles would work for a bearded dragon? I've heard that some people worry about fumes when it gets hot, but others say it will only be a problem if it exceeds 120f?

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A while back I received a free custom built enclosure. It had previously housed a beardie.
This enclosure had the adhesive tiles in it...HAD.
Many of the tile corners were broken off, sections were lifting, etc... I would say that over 20% of the overall floor space was missing tile, with several other sections lifted and intact, but with substrate underneath, which meant it was only a matter of time before those sections broke off as well.
Removing the tile was the first thing I did to refurbish the enclosure.

Adhesive and high heat are not a great idea.

Adhesive in a cage is even a worse idea.

The heat will melt the glue, the tile will become loose and likely lift up and if the animal manage to move it and get underneath it it will end up glued to the tile which will be a nightmare.

Like what the above posters said. For that reason, I use regular tiles plus paper towels with my beardie. Beardies poop can get messy... So the best way to clean up the mess is to place a papertowel between tiles, remove the dirty tile when dirty for easy cleaning.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on actual slate or ceramic tiles I guess. Either that or keep using reptile carpet.

Alright I found a couple of boxes of small white tiles we have. I think they'll work, however she might slide around on them as they are slightly glossy. Also, do you have to use grout, or can you go without it as long as it's a snug fit?

You want to either use grout (best) or caulk (not great, but better than nothing). You would be amazed at what gets between the thin cracks. :(

But what if you need to move the tank later? Won't it be too heavy if they're stuck in?

Also, are caulk and grout dangerous at all for the dragon? Like chemical-wise?

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Originally Posted by 55fingers

But what if you need to move the tank later? Won't it be too heavy if they're stuck in?

Also, are caulk and grout dangerous at all for the dragon? Like chemical-wise?

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You might want to caulk them with aquarium (silicone) sealant, that IS safe & without fumes (also not sticky) once it's dry. But yes, tiles will add weight. Alas, nothing
is perfect.

Then don't use grout. Just use tiles and stack them next to each other and lined a papertowel in between. The tiles will fit well. The papertowel is for when the pee slips in between tiles. When you clean, either remove the dirty tile and rinse it clean/wipe the tile clean and replace the papertowel underneath. I don't use grout because it becomes a hassle should you need to move your beardie and it adds weight should I need to move the tank.

I have temporarily used those glossy type of tiles. It is preferably to use something more ceramic with a nonslippy surface to help keep the beardie's nails short.

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Originally Posted by 55fingers

But what if you need to move the tank later? Won't it be too heavy if they're stuck in?

Also, are caulk and grout dangerous at all for the dragon? Like chemical-wise?

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Didn’t realize you were talking about a glass tank versus wood cage. Yes, loose fit would be fine because you can remove to clean between and under. Assuming it is water tight, you wouldn’t have any leaks to the furniture/shelf the cage sits on.

Ah, yes, sorry for not clarifying it was a tank. I think I'll do it without grout. My main problem is I have several squares of reptile carpet and the dragon always seems to flip them all over the place. I think the tiles will be heavy enough, though.

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Originally Posted by 55fingers

My main problem is I have several squares of reptile carpet and the dragon always seems to flip them all over the place. I think the tiles will be heavy enough, though.

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If it were me, and I had ANY doubt whatsoever about whether my pet could lift the tiles at all, I wouldn't use them, or I would grout them. I would be so upset if my pet was injured by tiles I put in there.

The tiles will work. I even use the small 2x4 ones for my leopard gecko's tank. No way could they be moved or flipped over. They are definitely heavy enough.

Imo reptile carpet is useless. Their nails get caught in the fabric and worse yet, you can't clean the carpet enough no matter how many times they are soaked, rinsed and scrubbed. Eventually it begins to smell. I used them at the start and quickly threw them away.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

If it were me, and I had ANY doubt whatsoever about whether my pet could lift the tiles at all, I wouldn't use them, or I would grout them. I would be so upset if my pet was injured by tiles I put in there.

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I'm pretty sure they're heavy enough. Even if they somehow are not, since I will be.pressing them together as close as possible (even without grout) there shouldn't be any way to flip them over... if I'm making sense? I don't know if I'm explaining very well.

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Originally Posted by 55fingers

I'm pretty sure they're heavy enough. Even if they somehow are not, since I will be.pressing them together as close as possible (even without grout) there shouldn't be any way to flip them over... if I'm making sense? I don't know if I'm explaining very well.

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I get what you're saying. And without being there to see/feel the tiles it's tough for me to say... I also have never kept beardies...

I'm just thinking I'd be inclined to go overboard on safety before risking it. Like I always say about questionable prey "when in doubt throw it out" I also say "when in doubt KEEP it out" regarding anything I put in my enclosures.

I'm certainly not telling you what to do, just sharing my thoughts. And again, I could be wrong completely since I am not there to physically see it.