New Enclosure Time

[Lacerta]

This weekend I will be getting a large glass tank for Lacerta – not sure of measurements just yet but it is pretty huge, used for housing a large turtle.

Just wondering what substrates I should use now I will have more room. I still have my aspen chips which I will be using again for her to dig in ect – but I’d also like a more solid surface which I can sit water dishes and food on without her getting chips all through it.
I know that you guys don’t recommend sand of any type, is there a safe alternative?
Should I place dirt as bedding in one part of the tank for a den? If so, what kind of soil is safe to use (potting mix?)

I have a lot of large red volcanic rocks which are pretty cool, I will put a lot of these at the basking end as Lacerta loves to climb in between them and wedge herself in tight places.

Just looking for a few ideas.

Thanks

[Tattoo]

I use aspen and log hides. I wouldn't want to use any stones that were pointy and jagged. Also nothing they can eat. I think dirt would be messy and could have critters in it. Just my opinion. Others will have more to add.

[Bird_Brain]

I would rather have wood chips in the water than soil.

[NomadOfTheHills]

I don't have a problem getting bedding in the water, I use a bowl like this:


Its 2 inches high, so he can use it, but doesn't drag stuff in.

[LittleFoot]

That is the same type of bowl that i use nomad...it is big enough for him to sink into to soak if he wants to, and he doesnt kick bedding into it.

[Leigh]

Make a raised platform, use can feed,water and let him be on the upper deck,or he can go under it and use it as a hide.

[Funda]

I also have them - 1 for water 1 for food

f.C

[Lacerta]

Hey guys Thanks for the ideas - I've found those reptile dishes to be really expensive in pet stores here, so I may go with feeding and watering on a rock or something.

So at the moment it seems like I will be using my aspen chips - though I'd still like an idea of a different surface to keep things a bit different. I'd like to have one end of the tank with deep aspen chips because she loves to burrow in then - but I might looking at some large pebbles to cover the rest.

I might cover the back wall with black paper too to keep it looking tidy and stop her from climbing

[Fatal_S]

I'd have a place to burrow on both the warm and cool sides.