Substrate Question

I had a question on our beardies substrate right now we have papertowels in the tank we were wondering if we could use Alfalfa Meal. We will be feeding outside of the enclouser as we do right now...What do you think....

i do not know much about alphameal but if your look for something easy to clean id go with tile.

What is the consistency of it, is it just ground up alfalfa hay? I would worry that it would be too dusty.

Go with shelf liner or tile, they are the easiest to clean up. Once you have tile down all you have to do is wipe the mess up and it never has to be replaced!

The pellets will mold, be hard to keep sanitary, and could cause impaction. In general, any loose subtrate and a beardie just don't mix...

I have used them and found some can have little bugs. Dont let it get wet or it will mold.

We keep Cosmo on ceramic tile. It looks great, it's safe, and it's a snap to clean. You can use waterproof fish tank silicon, or just lay them in there. It also help to keep their little claws dulled down a bit. Also, if there is the slightest little crumb of anything the it shouldn't eat, you can see it great and pick it up. Just my .02

I'm not familiar with alfalfa either. I am using carpet liners, which is the closest thing to paper towels I believe. I used to use sand though with no trouble. It depends on the beardie (if he/she decides to eat it or not).

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Originally Posted by TooManyToys

What is the consistency of it, is it just ground up alfalfa hay? I would worry that it would be too dusty.

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I think otto meant alfalfa meal, as in this:
alfalfa meal

Thats the specific name of the pellets they make. I know them because I have used them on and off. I currently have their Desert Blend for mine, which is basically ground walnut shells, which is not very popular but I like it. My brother who's used the walnut shells for a white says its good to keep/create heat. I find it easy to clean. Im not attracted to tile because of how cold it is [I dont like belly heat either because I fear it burns.]. Just my two cents.

Bearded Dragons get their heat from above not their belly so you would never used any type of belly heat. Ceramic tiles are not cold in the enclosure if all of your temps are correct. Crusted walnut shells are absolutely one of the worst substrates you can use for them. The stuff clumps together very easy and has very sharp edges.

I have tried lots of different stuff over the years and like using this on my sub adults and adult dragons.
http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.as...sultRedirect=1

Unlike alphalpa, it doesnt have that smell, it is very absorbant and cannot cause impaction, it falls apart when in gets wet. I dont give my dragons water on this bedding because if it gets wet for a while it can mold. Great for spot cleaning though.

I also have outside enclosures with carpet on screen bottoms and that where they soaked and hydrated.

never heard of that stuff and still unsure as to what its made out of hehe.

but i also use the R-zilla walnut shell bedding. Good stuff, I like it for my beardies. Unsure about alfalfa pellets since I've never used em. so i guess its just by whatever you want to choose. are you looking for heat conductor or something more natural?

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Originally Posted by nico

never heard of that stuff and still unsure as to what its made out of hehe.

but i also use the R-zilla walnut shell bedding. Good stuff, I like it for my beardies. Unsure about alfalfa pellets since I've never used em. so i guess its just by whatever you want to choose. are you looking for heat conductor or something more natural?

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You using the worst substrate possible.

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Originally Posted by Beardedragon

You using the worst substrate possible.

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VERY VERY TRUE. The back of the bag is very misleading. It has a chart and says that it is great for dragons. I would never use that stuff for anything. So many people use it.