Beardie Breeders Choice

[888lowndes888]

Yes it's another debateable substrate thread!! I have searched this for a while this morning and couldn't find a direct answer. I have a beardie approx 30-35cm snout to tail tip and am currently using astro turf for substrate and it STINKS! I spot clean regularly but it soaks into the astro turf sheet and until it is hosed and disinfected it reeks. Was hoping to go something like Breeders Choice or another cat litter as I too worry about impaction on sand and believe that scooping the breeders choice surrounding the turd should help reduce the smell.
Cheers guys.

 

[SnapKitten]

I use the astro turf, but I have more then one sheet for each enclosure. I rotate the sheets. So take out the dirty one and put in the clean one, then clean the dirty one so its ready for next time. By doing this you clean before it smells.

 

[888lowndes888]

I too have multiple sheets but it gets pretty tedious (sp?) taking out all the sticks, all the bowls, all the rocks etc etc putting the new stuff in putting it all back. It would be ok in a smaller tank with front access but I have a 6 footer with only top access.

 

[Mooseman]

I have used breeders choice previously have found it very good very little smell if you clean up droppings often no health problems at all . We are now useing oz pet litter woks every bit as well and is a browny reddy color which i prefer. I only use paper for hatchies

 

[Kirby]

both dry out the enclosure ALOT.

if your dragon is having runny and overly smelly poops. its possible he has a case of parasites.

 

[888lowndes888]

She is certainly not having any problems with runny poop or anything like that but it most definetly stinks lol. I have noticed it has been since its been on veggies and I do worm her by injecting worming liquid into the backside of a large cricket so parasites should not be a problem!

 

[JasonL]

Breeders choice is fine, BUT..... it needs to be replaced routinely. It is great for cutting down odours ect..but is usually left unchanged because it "seems" clean, then it becomes a great breeding substrate for bacteria and the like. Replacing it regularly becomes expensive, also food items tend to hide in it, which is far from ideal.

 

[888lowndes888]

Cost dosen't bother me too much within reason and as far as food items go I feed in containers so the only food items in the enclosure are fruit and veg in a feeding dish which I will place on a square of astro turf to prevent the breeders choice getting into the feed dish.

 

[belmcc]

We use breeders choice and have no problems with it - my boys each have a beardie in their bedrooms no problems with smell (except the kids)