The daily purposes substrate you're opting for might totally vary depending on various factors including objective measures like dimensions, subjective factors like the feel, and other specific requirements. Though we have a variety of recommendations, we pick products that suit most people's needs.
For yet another perspective, we also asked non-tech-focused friends to tell us what they thought about the finalists.
Pick the one you want among the presented or you may blindly pick the first option.
Note: Just because we didn't mention a substrate in this guide doesn't mean it's not good. The following are simply our picks for the best substrates for most people - you may have specific preferences , that make a different substrate better for you.
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The croci leopard gecko soil substrate should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. This is the only type of bedding for their terrariums. It is ideal for naturalistic terrarium type set-ups incorporating reptiles, amphibians or invertebrates. It holds nine times its weight in water and can be used to grow plants, without impacting the animal if it should swallow some accidentally during feeding. It's fluffy and will hold dryness or wetness according to your preference.
This works great for leopard geckos and its safe if any is ingested. It is great padding, for when they dive from tall places trying to catch crickets. If used deep enough, those who like to burrow are able to do so and for those who don't, it gives a comfortable environment.
Why We Like This:
Good stuff, even for a desert terrain
Great for decoration in arboreal species terrariums
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Next on the list, we've got yet another substrate that manages to win our hearts. It's the exo terra leopard gecko soil substrate and it's widely considered as one of the best convenient substrate you can buy. It works awesome and is alot of moss once hydrated. It is perfect substrate for plant propagation. It works well for potting plants for the vivarium. It is great for reptiles with high humidity needs. The smell is pleasant, and it looks really nice.
It is definitely more brownish-green and not bright green, but it looks very natural and variety is always better. It will keep them nice and moist and protected. The moss holds a lot of moisture and can easily be cleaned out with a strainer & then sun dried and used again.
Why We Like This:
Natural with no added chemicals or dyes
Easy to tear apart and provides a lot of material for orchid growing
Looks great mixed in soil and retains moisture for plants in a bioactive set-up
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The joshs frogs leopard gecko soil substrate's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. It is looking for a bioactive substrate for your desert dwelling pet. It can sustain isopods by itself, especially if the live plants shed leaves and your pet leaves droppings for them to eat. It's got the perfect mix of stuff to stay moist without getting nasty. The BioBedding Tropical does not require a drainage layer if used with light or hand misting.
The bioactive substrate is essentially for isopods and springtails if you’re adding them to the tank to live in as well. It can last many years as long as it is stored dry. The Tropical biobedding should be perfect for red eyed tree frogs.
Why We Like This:
Sales support animal conservation & research
A layer of substrate barrier and a 2-3 inch layer of the bioactive substrate