Best & Worst Substrates for Bearded Dragons!

[@robynkelly426]

I don’t own a bearded dragon. It’s 1:30 am, Yet here I am.

[@sarahquinn6307]

Robyn Kelly That’s a whole mood

[@541bruksi4]

omg same. why am i like this.

[@Armandov_8080]

Good

[@leedyacote3937]

I'm here at 1:48 AM, and I have a lab report due at 8:00 AM 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@naykeloropeza8613]

This was great, thanks, I have been researching "are bearded dragons good pets" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Ever heard of - Tiyndrew Bewildering Tip - (should be on google have a look )? It is a great exclusive product for discovering how to care for your bearded dragon without the normal expense. Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my cousin got cool success with it.

[@jayanewcombe2586]

:") I'm so glad you endorsed (safe) loose substrates, non-loose is always so dull and barren, it doesnt seem nice to walk on either

[@hannahbanana7391]

Jaya Newcombe yeah!!! like i feel like if u use tile they’ll slide around and not be able to get traction

[@DarcyFinck]

shelf liner is great and looks great!!!!!!!

[@benvick3361]

Males can clog their pores in loose substrate. Plus impaction. Just can be sketchy

[@paulbassett5047]

I like loose with rocks around the cage or even tune or something so it files there nails and allows them to climb I use paper towel now that he’s in a 40 gal but I’m upgradeing him and he’ll have loose substrate

[@gorillapanic1095]

Sands best

[@mermaidheather5049]

I use a tile that almost has a brick like surface, so my dude doesn't slip. The main reason is to keep the nails filed down. I am considering doing half tile and half loose. He's due for an enclosure remodel, and I am so sick of smeared poo with this tile!!! Loved the video. 💕

[@Hawaiiansilky]

That’s exactly what I’m doing now. We originally went with bio active but being he was a baby and I’m not familiar with caring for a dragon. I would prefer a sterile side until I’m more comfortable so I’m going half and half

[@spicynoodles8855]

i'm also doing half loose half tile:)

[@ladyofthelake9667]

My husband just got two baby beardies just a couple days ago. He actually bought the calcium sand they were eating it. So I really appreciate this video because I'm hoping with this information you provided he will change the substrate. You definitely have a new subscriber! Love your videos,lots of respect!!

[@kristiefletcher3097]

definately they will die babies definately cannot and they need their own tanks they are solitary reptiles

[@Samicheekx]

Please do research FIRST next time before getting any animal

[@Sitter8]

@@Samicheekx her husband got it she didn’t

[@ilike2likevideos]

@@Samicheekx please comment something helpful next time you comment, thanks !!

[@ilike2likevideos]

Don't worry, the good thing is that you know now :). We did a lot of research before getting a beardie and you will still find conflicting products that are sold for bearded dragons but aren't the best for them. I think Facebook might have groups you could join for new owners. Be aware there will be the Simon Cowell's on there but there should be helpful people to answer your questions! :)

[@-TranCaoAnh-A]

To be honest, if you want to use the most natural substrate for beardies you can use a mix of coconut fiber, clay (excavator clay), a LITTLE bit of sand and cypress

[@Halloween-Taken-Seriously]

You are the best KZbinr ever! Thank you for sharing this educational video

[@cierranicole652]

Yayyy I been waiting for a video. Im so happy your gonna start posting more. Nobody that had a channel for pets post anymore. But your the best one so

[@lovebug5300]

Tyler you're one of my favorite youtubers and I love your content 😁😁😁

[@rebapeterson7833]

I use tile for my bearded dragon and would love to convert to a bioactive substrate someday. When I was much younger we had a Water Dragon on carpet and I would never use carpet again after that. Very hard to clean up!

[@traviswatson9862]

I know it’s been a year since you said this but I agree I hate the carpet substrate 😂 crap is trash

[@evansreptiles5761]

@@traviswatson9862 I also know it's been a year since you said this but I as well agree😂

[@ashiscrazy6010]

Around 4 years ago I got a beardie and I was 10 and was very dumb and didn’t do research, this left my beardie in a low sort of state, after about a year I realized what I was doing and ever since then I’ve really been trying to give him better treatment tha any other dragon, he is very healthy now. I say this because I want people to learn from my mistake and realize how much effort you truly have to put into beardies. Don’t be like me. And if you found out you’ve been doing it wrong to I want you to remember as long as you try your absolute best, your not a bad person. Not trying is what makes you bad. I hope this helps people

[@XTheJenovaProjectX]

Can you explain what you were doing “wrong” vs what you are doing “right”

[@AndrewTrip.]

i did something similar, i got him when i was 10 and i did all the research i could, i knew everything there was was to know. And i took such good care of him for like the first couple years but as i got older i sort of lost interest in him and stopped giving him the best care i could. Even though he was still relatively healthy, he wasnt happy. in the past 6 months or so ive been caring for him better and his quality of life has improved so much. Im getting ready to give his enclosure a total makeover in the next couple months.

[@XTheJenovaProjectX]

@@AndrewTrip. what do you do that makes him “happy”

[@AndrewTrip.]

@@XTheJenovaProjectX i make sure he has the perfect conditions in his terrarium and testing out different foods and enrichment to find which he enjoys the most

[@darkye_]

@@XTheJenovaProjectXWhy you being like that?

[@noahthompson8618]

definitely goin with that bioactive substrate. been watchin my guy try to dig through his tile for weeks and its so sad to watch him get nowhere

[@faithjapczyk1526]

😂 that honestly made me laugh

[@DracoTheDragon]

My beardie is BioActive. He gpdigs so often. It’s great to see. I’m so glad I made that decision and don’t plan to go back.

[@r0se_t3a]

thank you! I might be getting a bearded dragon and ive been having a hard time finding which substrates are the best so this really helped.

[@paulpiwowar9681]

Same

[@AllCanadianReptileGirl]

I agree with all your likes/dislikes/do"s & don't. Thanks for the great advice:)

[@autumnbehon942]

I got carpet for my beardie and I think it lasted a couple days before I got rid of it. I now use a solid substrate that is rocks/sand that are glued down and a little "burrow box" where I keep a clay/dirt mixture. I like the box because it helps keep her from accidentally flinging sand into her water dish or food dish when she digs around. Awesome video!

[@eggtennis5215]

i used to use carpet but tbh it was horrible.. he'd get his claws stuck in it nd it was extremely hard to clean

[@sydneysharkk2467]

Totally agree with everything! Great video! I’ll definitely recommend this to anyone with questions about the substrate. (Personally I really like tiles, that’s probably because I’m currently using them, but I’d like to go bioactive eventually)

[@itsblitz3539]

Would it be a good idea to use a tile for the base and then add soil or something loose on top?

[@larrayyye]

I think that would be a waste but sure

[@ashiscrazy6010]

Yes, loose substrate can often move out of the way and leave bare glass and make it slippy so the tile can make it so the bottom substrate just above the tile will stay in its place preventing slipping.

[@ashiscrazy6010]

@@lqpql18 it can really damage their joints

[@minibatman2.016]

I have to take in a bearded dragon because my moms new place that she’s renting doesn’t allow pets so I’m trying to make sure I know how to take care of the bearded dragon and make sure it thrives with me instead of just surviving since she will be with me for a while. So far from my research is to get coconut and excavator clay and sand mixed for substrate but have some spots with slate to help keep their nails under control (but check them every once in a while incase they need to be trimmed), at least 2 hides, one under the heat and one on the cool side, some climbing hammocks with thick rope because mesh can get their nails stuck and they may freak out, they enjoy digging so make the substrate thicker in some places. If anyone has any tips for me as a beginner or any product recommendations, please let me know because I want her to be happy and healthy. She’s a full grown female and her temporary enclosure is a 40gal. I know it’s small but it’s only temporary for about a year and I take her out often and let her roam around my room. She’s usually only in there to sleep, eat and drink. I can’t afford a huge tank because the pet stores near me don’t have anything bigger than 40gal currently and I’d need to order a tank online which will cost more. I plan on adding some ramps and things to my room for her if she wants like to my window and get her a suction cup window hammock so she can look outside. If any of my research Is wrong or needs correction, please let me know :)

[@rancorsden470]

Thank you! I have been needing someone to talk about arid bioactive substrates, as I have been wanting to upgrade my hognose.

[@sassyvelociraptor5625]

I love arid bioactive enclosures for beardies. You can put edible succulents and plants in there which offer a great source of enrichment and make a fun snack for them

[@DISELMEDIALLC]

Thanks for the commit I’m am currently but the plants now!

[@MsAusarian]

Holy crap! Crushed walnut shells. 😱

[@Fairytale30299]

I've been using straight playsand for a few years now and I had no issues. Easy to clean and looks better then any "solid substrate". However I just bought playsand and top soil to make a mix of it for both my beardie and my kingsnake. 👏🏻 I'm not going for bioactive because I can't make it deep enough in my current enclosure. (maybe in the future, bio is the best for my crestie for sure). If it isn't deep enough it would get too humid unfortunately since I live in a humid environment it makes it difficult. Anyway, great video and I mainly agree! Ps. Paper towel gets impacted way faster then sand for example when ingested.

[@aliciajolley519]

I use tile for my beardie. It’s great! But he smears it all over unless I catch him, like you mentioned. He seems to poop when I’m in the room though, so I usually am able to catch it a lot. 😂

[@stephanie22345]

A heart for animals I use tile for mine because he makes the most disgusting poops! The tile is so much easier to clean than the carpet he came with

[@aliciajolley519]

Stephanie Grigsby: Yes, Carpet seems like a pain. I use carpet for my geckos since their poop isn’t messy at all, it’s really great! I just wash it in the washing machine with vinegar and warm water every couple weeks and iron it so the fuzz lies down and their nails won’t get caught. But I don’t think I’d ever use it for bearded dragons.

[@Kotto92]

I'm glad I watched this because I have 2 beardies that each have their own drastic favorite colors, and for our older one we got pink shelf liner.....and she just loves it, she doesn't slip on it at all. We do have some paper towling in her tank, but that's because we have her potty trained and she prefers to use her paper towel

[@krlinkous3553]

Good video, sir. Love to hear someone with your experience agree with my thoughts on this subject. I am right there with you on the bio active route, it is the pinnacle of husbandry standards in my opinion. Also love you shouted out The Bio Dude. His presence packaged substrates are amazing. Terra Sahara is the bomb!!

[@nikkiworden8387]

Awesome video Tyler keep up the awesome work 😊 I enjoy watching your videos 😊

[@dphsvl0g879]

My bearded dragon tank is modern theme but I really want to get some new substrate because right now I’m using newspaper but newspaper always has violent content on it and I don’t really like that. So I’m probably going to get some of the loose substrate you said to get. Thanks for the help❤❤

[@jameslopez4243]

MALACHI!! yeees. Defenetly my favorite one 😄

[@chantel410]

I own a BD and use paper towels but the kind in a box that is much thicker than usual type👍it works well in certain areas ..easy to reach areas no carpet unless its the green grass looking stuff easy to clean

[@bon2198]

Ceramic (specifically) tile as matte and rough as possible for heat absorption versus heat reflection (very bad as you know) and natural nail filing.

[@kukiebun]

I started using dining table place mats, for like... your plates and stuff. lol It's a kind of fabric that isn't like carpet where it doesn't really wear down easy, another thing I do is that I can give it a good scrub down and toss it in the washing machine, dry it and place it in the enclosure again. It's very useful. There's other place mats that are plastic and it has like a rigid surface so they can grip easier and they don't go sliding around. Idk, they're a nice substitute instead of the carpet. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

[@boba1576]

It's 3 am school starts in 3 hours yet Tyler is worth it ! That's why I'm late hehe 😅 oh and I don't have a beardy but I want one

[@MsAusarian]

Brilliant. Thanks for this. I was just about to change his sand and thought I wanted to use something else. Then I got so baffled as to which one. Now I have been convinced. Bio active is the way! Cheers. 👍🏾

[@aliciajolley519]

7:08: Nice background. 😂😉

[@acecats730]

can the isopods climb the glass walls id like to get some but cant have them escapeing

[@dorislane8571]

Tyler is a king. Like if u agree

[@jaznappier7992]

I use a very coarse organic coconut husk substrate by critter comfort. best decision to switch from slate tile

[@nicholenadansie]

hi do you know what else you can use for sand instead of playsand

[@loisbond3947]

Where did you get your large tank

[@brianameza9794]

Here's my thing, I want to use loose substrate for my dragon, okay. BUT, when feeding she tends to miss...like a lot. Do I give her a dig box to play in, and take it out when needed...ooor? Any opinions?

[@acidbatts5401]

You could have a separate box got your beardies feeding. Now it may he time consuming, especially if you're in a rush for something. But you can put your dragon in a tile or paper towel based tank (doesn't have to be big of course, it's just for feeding) and they can eat safely in there. Then when they're done, put them back in your loose substrate

[@randomname1732]

You could use tombs

[@Swaggyem]

I use a sand mat for my bearded dragon, it wears down his nails and is similar to Repticarpet, looks natural and is pretty easy to clean.

[@nightinggale6470]

Sand mats harbour bacteria and don’t offer any burrowing enrichment, which is extremely important for beardies. I strongly recommend switching to a suitable loose substrate, ideally a deep layer of a soil/playsand/clay mix.

[@suzettekent2877]

Hi Malike I am setting up for my beardies, installed branch jamboree. Building a waterfall adjacent too what I call beardies paradise!! Plantes and tree that are edible. Subterranean is a mixture of organic soil, sand and peat moss. Any suggestions?

[@ridiculous_gaming]

At this point I like tile so I can keep it clean it fast, but I use the back side of tile that is not shiny and smooth. I also used paper towel first, but non bleached gray.

[@acarb4072]

I think I messed up. I went out and bought sand and soil and threw it right into my dragons tank. Now the humidity is high. Should I have dried it out or something first?

[@sparklesandstuffs6038]

if you mix your own does if have to be completly mixed?

[@larainwilm]

hi! What about for digging?

[@Er3ctilereptile]

Is this the new recording spot? It looks a lot better

[@mariorobledo8127]

Would pool filter sand work?

[@TwiistedMess]

9:38 he pooped 🤣 even after you said you were worried.

[@TAYLOR8mm]

the bio dude substrate for bearded dragon is REALLY good and the only i will use

[@cornmais2522]

Do you think a mix of (non clumping) play sand and coconut core would be okay for a bearded dragons substrate? I would just like to hear some people's opinion I'm thinking of getting a bearded dragon and have already done a 40 page paper and researched every inch of the care but still the substrate has got me in a knot. 😅

[@jessiekehoe722]

This really helped me thank you !

[@Christy.Hotrod]

I definitely want to mix the bio set up

[@amaya9497]

I can’t remember exactly what substrate it was but it was pretty chunky, some pieces of bark up to the size of a quarter; we bought it for our bearded dragon when I was young. Long story short she ended up ingesting some of it and couldn’t pass it, she had a prolapse. She shortly passed away after surgery, it was so sad.

[@N_Snarski]

I have no idea how but my bearded dragon it scared of his own poop he will run away or not come down for his hammock because there it poop there

[@m1964c]

My girl won’t get near hers either. She holds her tail up so she don’t touch it. 😂

[@dezzblunt3529]

Can you please do a whole bearded dragon care video ?? PLEASE & THANK YOU ! if you have one please let me know I’m new here to your channel and I love it 💚

[@tylerrugge]

destiny sandoval I will make one soon!!

[@tipsysmichigander6483]

I use regular filtered sand/stone slates at ground level and My bearded is always happy. Not sure why people get so upset... Keep your bearded happy if it works for you then it works.

[@juliejennings8251]

How old do they have to be to switch them to bio active!?!?

[@abbielouise5464]

How do you feel about coconut tile ?

[@ica6944]

Could you please make a video about supplementation and how often you use what? I’ve been doing research and I’m at loss

[@RealToWonder]

How old is your bearded dragon?

[@ica6944]

americandumpsterfire 3 years old

[@RealToWonder]

@@ica6944 at that age, from what I've read (and I've read a lot) lightly dusting with calcium powder a few times a week is enough. Alternate between calcium with d3 and calcium without d3 if you have a proper lighting setup. If your dragon doesn't like the taste of the powder, they make flavored ones. I always dust the worms bc I know he'll eat those quickly as opposed to his greens.

[@ica6944]

americandumpsterfire how about his vitamins and minerals?

[@denisellamas3819]

Thank you for sharing your videos I really like them

[@marissa4212]

For my beardie I use tile and because the tile is a little textured he doesn’t slide around so if your looking at tiles I would say not to get the shiny slick ones :)

[@jay-wf7wf]

where did you get your tile from?

[@gabriellageorgakoulias1688]

I am looking to make a dig box for my bearded dragon and I was thinking if I did sand and soil is that ok for my bearded dragon his cage is tile

[@janelleloyola5646]

No, anything but sand. Sand is very harmful towards beardies

[@Frost-kh9mg]

@@janelleloyola5646 no it’s not “very” dangerous. Sand is perfectly ok. The risk of impaction is so small as long as you have the right lighting. Watch the video.

[@dogwithavlog344]

I have really pretty vinyl tiles for mine

[@karigarcia8316]

I use cabanet sticker paper. Easy cleanup. I also add a kitty litter box with sand so they have options

[@bearpawclaw84]

what about tree bark?

[@janstanfield6088]

Can u send me a link to the loose substrate you use the premix I’m new and I want a healthy happy lizard .

[@nightinggale6470]

A deep layer of a soil/playsand/clay mix works best. Terra Sahara from the bio dude is good as well.

[@jamesward3547]

You are truly a nice chap aren't you 👍👍

[@katiebee0]

could i mix Repti Sand and organic soil??

[@nightinggale6470]

Yep! I’d add some clay too, to help it hold burrows.

[@PandaVapes]

I use rock tile it helps keep their nails not too sharped and you can lift and clean easy but I also have grass and calcium sand so he can go elsewhere and not always be in sand

[@nightinggale6470]

Calcium sand is not a safe substrate. I strongly recommend switching to a soil/playsand/clay mix.

[@jondean56]

What do you think of jungle mix

[@matthewm2382]

My bearded dragon uses the fabric carpet and is fine with it

[@tysonstauffer3644]

I just got a bearded dragon today Monday October 11 i love them and they are rare

[@Sitter8]

We have like half tile and then it goes into a mix of sand rocks that my beardie can’t eat and mix it in with the bio dude substrate and she loves it

[@aaronhumphrey3514]

There are types of tile that are more like rock texture-wise.

[@heazy1785]

Love your videos

[@taeviansworldofreptiles3828]

Great video!

[@samolson13]

Ok so I have had my bearded dragon for 2 years and have had her on play sand with 2 tiles in her basking and feeding areas. Would it be bad to change it now? She also recently stoped eating and has not eaten in over a month now. She has already come out of brumation and is really active but won't eat anything.. What sould I do?

[@ashleyselman1304]

I use a mixture of play sand with organic soil and I have a bunch of flat slate rocks that I got from a landscaping shop And I put those on the ground under his basking lamp spot so that the rocks would warm up a bit so he can get warm under and on top but they would not be producing heat from on the rocks so it would not make him too hot like a heat mat would So half of his tank is loose substrate and then the other half has slate rocks on the ground in certain spots because I know in Australia it's a mix between sand and stone and dirt and clay and all these different types of substrates so I try to keep a mixture

[@chenoabryan8458]

I use a regular towel with drift wood and very large worm rocks to bask on. I take towel out when I feed. No impact chances here.

[@Christy.Hotrod]

I love your enclosure. My beardie will be 7

[@WinterAnythingXRP]

I didn’t see him mention anything about the Australian desert habitat substrate unless i fast forwarded too fast… 👀

[@nightinggale6470]

That sounds good.

[@jvoight61]

What’s kinda organic soil is best?

[@jasmineingram9129]

Okayyyy but what are the percentages for the mixture, for soil and sand??

[@nightinggale6470]

A soil/sand/clay mix is ideal. One source I trust says 50% sand, 30% soil, and 20% clay is good. You can experiment with the proportions, just make sure the mix can hold burrows.

[@faithbaker5027]

I'm happy using my fertilizer free top soil! My beardie wont touch tile actually lol!

[@lizaknight4753]

What brand is it? I cant find any anywhere and may have to order online

[@lizaknight4753]

Also how do you clean it?

[@FernandoHernandez-nj1kv]

anything for ball pythons?

[@nightinggale6470]

Ball pythons need a deep layer of a humidity retaining substrate such as cypress mulch or coconut husk, possibly mixed with soil.

[@Ash-hi5hy]

Oh lordy this is such a hot topic! See I've always read loose substrates are a no no, but I love how you give us safe options! I'm not brave enough to do loose substrate yet. I usually use paper towel down; easy to clean up, or shelf liner!

[@courtney.22]

When I got my beardie [almost] 5 years ago, she started out on loose substrate and I just recently switched her to carpet.

[@ronnieb.1649]

I use tile and I used to use coconut husk, but now I only put it in and by his cage because he loves digging in it.

[@gamerbruh7346]

I’m getting a rank combo for my baby beardie and it comes with reptile carpet. Should I keep that until he grows a bit bigger and then move onto tile or shelf adhesive

[@Vaporizer_24]

Thank u this vid rly helped me😁

[@StarClash27]

What about the exo-terra sand-mat?

[@valeriedavis6834]

It's a great substrate, but a real pain to clean

[@birder5914]

Helped me so much!!!!

[@Dsmwarrior1996]

How about actual central Australian dirt? I've seen some around and been wondering about it, but haven't seen many people if any talk about it, unless it's something pretty new on the market

[@heartsforasp]

thankyou so much! im getting a beardie in about a 2 week top wait. This really helped me with finding substrate for the enclosure :) once again, thankyou!

[@de4dbuck]

Have you gotten your beardie yet?

[@heartsforasp]

Wolfyia yep! I got him two weeks ago.

[@bayleezook4623]

whats your opinion on the non-loose substrate thats like a pebbles and sand all stuck in place on a flat sheet type thing?

[@meeganbaileyy]

I use a bath mat for my bearded dragons substrate. It’s super easy to clean! And it suctions to the bottom of the tank so it won’t move.

[@Silver_wind_1987_]

We use left over tile...easier since our lazy baby likes to make messes...like huge messes.....of his food everywhere or inside his cave ~.~

[@Blepoo]

@@Silver_wind_1987_ did you just- lazy baby? 🤢

[@Silver_wind_1987_]

@@Blepoo he's a lizard.

[@Silver_wind_1987_]

@@Blepoo thank hades for vacuums I can clean his tile off easily with it than wipe it down with vinegar, water

[@D0llhairz]

I have a sand matt in one of my dragons tank and its a lot better than tile

[@PoetryFoxDayz]

He said humidity very adorably! 👀 Lol, Love this video! Very informative! Thanks so much 😁

[@slonemagyar1034]

Do you think puppy pee pads could work? I use them for other animals and they are really absorbent so I figured it might work. I can’t see why it would be bad

[@josephsarmiento7537]

is bioactive substrate expensive?