Substrate question.

[sam_fat_tail_gecko]

Hey everyone I am very new.
What substrate can I use for fat tail gecko? Lots of websites and people saying different thinqs.
Can I use eco earth?
Reptile cage liner?
Any suggestions.thanks


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[DragonGecko]

I personally use paper towels(for leopard geckos but id do the same if i had afts) not as pretty but easy to change out, cheap, and no worries on impaction

 

[sam_fat_tail_gecko]

Ok that is great,I provably will do the same,but what if I wanna do something more pretty?

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[jxl22]

You can use the repti carpet. But it needs to be cleaned often. Buy teo and rotate them with cleanings.
Or slate.
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[sam_fat_tail_gecko]

What is teo or slate?

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[DragonGecko]

Slate is nice looking. Its tile you can get at most home improvement stores like lowes or home depot

 

[LepoInc]

He meant two. Haha

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[Imperial Geckos]

Ive successfully kept and bred fat tails on a whole bunch of different substrates.. all have their pros and cons.. I've used Cypress Mulch, Coconut Husk Chips, Eco-earth, peat moss/vermiculite mix, newspaper, paper towel, & no substrate at all.

It really comes down to what works best for you and your setup.

I live in S. Florida so humidity isnt really an issue, so I have stuck with newspaper and paper towel.

 

[sam_fat_tail_gecko]

What do you guys think about bark?

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[Imperial Geckos]

What do you guys think about bark?

ZooMed Repti-bark would work fine and it looks great for displays!

 

[sam_fat_tail_gecko]

Ok perfect this what I have right now so I will use it.any other suggestions about anything

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[LepoInc]

Iron the repticarpet so there are no loops or lose threading that teeth and nails can get caught in

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[sam_fat_tail_gecko]

Ok good to know.what about light,fir how long should I keep it on amd should I use it at night to?

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[LepoInc]

I don't know a whole lot about AFT so I will let someone else answer that one.

 

[sam_fat_tail_gecko]

Ok thanks anyway for your help

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[Imperial Geckos]

Best heating for Fat Tails is undertank belly heat. This is easily provided by a heat mat and you can use a regular florescent light fixture to add light to the display. Keep light cycle similar to your normal cycles outside. Fat Tails are nocturnal, so no lights at night. If you want to use a light bulb for your heat source, use a red "infrared" bulb so that it doesnt disturb the geckos. That can be kept on 24/7.

 

[sam_fat_tail_gecko]

Something like that?
http://m.+++++.com/product/6353/Zoo-Med-Repti-Therm-UTH-Under-Tank-Heaters.aspx

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[Imperial Geckos]

link doesnt work, but yes.... you want to get a heat mat (aka under tank heater).

 

[sam_fat_tail_gecko]

Ok perfect thanks for your help.I actually got crested gecko instead of fat tail,because it wasnt available.

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[Olympus]

I've always kept my AFT geckos in naturalistic planted tanks. I use organic top soil for the bulk of it and then a layer of pet moss along the top. Then several plants and very large cork hides/tunnels, with several heat pads underneath for heat. On the subject of substrate, something small and particulate is always going to be a safer option, so that's what I go with. A mouthful of dirt is easy to pass, but a large pebble or bark chip not so much. Although it's uncommon.

As far as lighting, I have 2 5000K daylight fluorescents from Lowe's that make it daytime in the tank, keep the plants thriving, and add a couple degrees to the ambient temps. And at sundown I turn it all off and they get their dark nights.