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Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred
A site to share your Reptile experiances & ask questions
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adriankidd
Key Member
Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Posts: 339
Location: belfast
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 Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject: whats everyone using for water dragon substrate? |
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| just wondering really, I'm looking for an alternative to bark as it is costly for a large Viv |
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lol93
Site Moderator
Joined: 29 Aug 2006
Posts: 3172
Location: Glasgow
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| Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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I have just switched from orchid bark to eco earth. BIG mistake!! The eco earth is like a swamp, and the dragons trail tons of it into their water every day. I'll be changing it back to orchid bark, as I think it is cleaner and more hygienic.
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adriankidd
Key Member
Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Posts: 339
Location: belfast
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| Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| hmmm, maybe best sticking with the bark, anyone used the zoo med cage carpet and what is it like, would it even be suitable for water dragons, it says in the add that it is but im not to sure??? |
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Mememe
Site Moderator
Joined: 23 Dec 2005
Posts: 2141
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| Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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| adriankidd wrote: | | hmmm, maybe best sticking with the bark, anyone used the zoo med cage carpet and what is it like, would it even be suitable for water dragons, it says in the add that it is but im not to sure??? |
It is, but it won't help with humidity, and is a pain to clean!
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gargoyle
Contributing Member
Joined: 03 Oct 2005
Posts: 64
Location: Kent
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| Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:15 am Post subject: |
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I use organic compost which is peat free. It holds the humidity really well and doesn't dry out as quickly as eco-earth. It also gives our female a good place to dig when she's gravid. Only downside is the mess in the water bowl, but that's easily changed.
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Ataria
I'm new here...
Joined: 21 May 2007
Posts: 12
Location: Finland
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| Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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I use peat mixed with sand. Peat if totally fertilizer free. It sis cheap too. I did use bark, but 20 L costs 30 euros and that is more money than I'm willing to pay.
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CWD
I'm new here...
Joined: 07 Jun 2007
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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| orchid bark is the best |
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Vickie Lizard
Key Member
Joined: 10 Feb 2007
Posts: 240
Location: Wales
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| Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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Im using Hemcore for my Beardie`s at the mo, its actualy designed for horse bedding, its dust extracted, highly absorbant, and natural. (Yes, made from the hemp plant!) My only worry, is compaction. I used to use play sand, but it gets into the runners in viv door frames, and makes a horrid racket! Its also a nightmare to clean!
What do other people use?
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1.1.7 Bearded Dragons
1.0.0 Brown Anole
1.1.0 Viatnamese Gliding Frogs
1.2.0 Emperor Scorpions
+ lots of bugs!
Its always better to ask for forgiveness, than to ask for permission!! |
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serpent
Key Member
Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 426
Location: Kent
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| Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 2:26 am Post subject: |
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| Vickie Lizard wrote: | Im using Hemcore for my Beardie`s at the mo, its actualy designed for horse bedding, its dust extracted, highly absorbant, and natural. (Yes, made from the hemp plant!) My only worry, is compaction. I used to use play sand, but it gets into the runners in viv door frames, and makes a horrid racket! Its also a nightmare to clean!
What do other people use? |
As a Water dragon (humid) and Bearded dragon (dry) come from 2 entirely different enviroments, hemcore is obviously not the sort of thing to use in a water dragons viv.
In fact it isnt something that should be used in a bearded dragons viv either.
Bearded dragon come from the hot dry desert regions of Australia where the last time I looked, hemcore wasnt a substance that was found naturally on the floor.
When I was there last, sand and rock was found everywhere naturally and the lizards of australia including bearded dragons were happily living on it.
adriankidd, orchid bark is the best available substrate for water dragons as it hold moisture well and is relatively cheap.
Surely if you spend money on a animal, viv, heater, stat and all the other sundries that is needed to keep it alive and well, you should get the correct substrate that only needs changing every 3-4 months.
If you cant or wont buy the correct items needed for the reptile that you have chosen then perhaps you should consider a hobby that is less costly.
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Vickie Lizard
Key Member
Joined: 10 Feb 2007
Posts: 240
Location: Wales
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| Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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Hey dude, get back in your pram!!! 
Why do you think we have chosen to ask questions?! If we are unsure of something, the only way of getting the correct info, is by asking questions, and taking advise!!! Im learning new things all the time, some of which differ from expert to expert, and contradictions are common.
I hope that when Ive been keeping reptiles for 20 years, I can give offer Newbies some freindly advise, instead of berate them for their mistakes, as we all make them!!!
Thankyou for your comments tho, they have been noted, and the Hemcore is gone, once I finish the bag! 
_________________
1.1.7 Bearded Dragons
1.0.0 Brown Anole
1.1.0 Viatnamese Gliding Frogs
1.2.0 Emperor Scorpions
+ lots of bugs!
Its always better to ask for forgiveness, than to ask for permission!! |
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