Can the Cocodan Croutons reliably be used as a drainage layer instead of bioballs, lava rock, etc, for my 18"L x 18"W x 24"H Exo-Terra terrarium? I think the heat transfer to the croutons from an under tank heater would be better than any of the previous mentioned. I think I need (prefer) this product as my secondary layer on the bottom glass to hopefully absorb any water drainage. The primary layer is a Zilla Terrarium Liner since the Repti-Therm U.T.H. at 30-40 gallons or 16W, seems one size larger than needed and I'm dampening down the heat a bit.Hopefully, this way I can prevent possibly cracking my glass should any water drain through to the terrarium liner. The Zoo Med Repti-Therm under tank heater is necessary to bottom heat my terrarium which houses a ball python. They are mostly terrestrial and love their ground heat. Am I being overly cautious? Can the Cocodan Croutons reliably be used as a drainage layer instead of bioballs, lava rock, etc, for my 18"L x 18"W x 24"H Exo-Terra terrarium? I think the heat transfer to... » Read More Can the Cocodan Croutons reliably be used as a drainage layer instead of bioballs, lava rock, etc, for my 18"L x 18"W x 24"H Exo-Terra terrarium? I think the heat transfer to the croutons from an under tank heater would be better than any of the previous mentioned. I think I need (prefer) this product as my secondary layer on the bottom glass to hopefully absorb any water drainage. The primary layer is a Zilla Terrarium Liner since the Repti-Therm U.T.H. at 30-40 gallons or 16W, seems one size larger than needed and I'm dampening down the heat a bit.Hopefully, this way I can prevent possibly cracking my glass should any water drain through to the terrarium liner. The Zoo Med Repti-Therm under tank heater is necessary to bottom heat my terrarium which houses a ball python. They are mostly terrestrial and love their ground heat. Am I being overly cautious? « Show Less
1464659
I believe from usage that the coco does make a mold that grows on it from retaking water where the lava rocks float in water and do not retain the water but if water doesn't stand still and has movement it should be good but it's ur call.!!! I used my lava rocks and coco in hydroponic for my tomatoes that me and my son grew. Think the coco was better for the tomatoes though.
1464660
I had a ball python before he was a baby and got to 4 ft then friend crushed him in recliner, my snake like the sand and I placed the rock in the tank on the sand the snake decided when to get on it plus a reptile lamp was used on top of cage. Use to change out tank once every two months as far as sand it was free from beach love da south lol
1464661
Yes they can be used very well for drainage. If you need something more water absorbent I would suggest coco coir.
1362116
hi, Um I'm going to air on the side of caution and say no and I would honestly look into the Exo Terra just because of the ease in feeding smaller prey and the humidity factor. Thanks.
992113
Hello RaeRae, You answer is not so simple. The capacity of a heater not only depends on the heater itself, but the original temperature of the medium. Even though this is rated for a larger tank than you are asking about, if the place the tank will be in much colder than average is may be a good choice. If your water starts at 65 degrees, and you want it at 78, this may work for you. If you start at 72, this may get the water hotter than you want. Another aspect to consider is how much water movement you have in your tank. The more water movement, the better the heat will be distributed, and the water will be closer to the thermo's temp setting. I agree with JR, I have not seen any for that small of a size. You could look at reptile heating accessories that afix to the outside of the tank, it would be a hack though.
580537
I would think that would be way too much heat for a 30 gallon. I have a water dragon and I actually don't even use a heat source at night. The cooling off at night to room temperature (70F plus) aids in their digestion. I'd do some research and see if it's the same for beardies...sorry cant recall and my phone battery is nearly dead! :)
1204705
I've been a reptile hobbyist for years now and have owned chameleons and bearded dragons. Stay with glass tanks for the bearded dragons that aren't too tall or less than the size of the 40g tank. Bearded dragons are not big climbers (they only climb to bask under the heat lights) and they actually like to burrow into the substrate at times so stay with a tank that can hold sand or ground walnut shells. If you want a larger tank for your bearded dragon try to get one that's the same height as a 40gallon breeder but has a larger base size.
574139
I do not know exactly how big an African dwarf frog is but I do know that the world's smallest frog could sit on the average thumbnail. With the larger critter keeper I would say you can keep almost any sort of small pet. The only big opening is closed by a hinged trapdoor and the lid is fairly secure. Mine was not packed well and arrived with a crack which I fixed with epoxy. Since I am using it to raise my baby box turtles until the are big enough to go into my yard pen this container is ideal. For use as an aquarium, of course, you would have to have one that is not cracked. Buying these cages/tanks online is a lot cheaper than the pet stores by far. I do not know exactly how big an African dwarf frog is but I do know that the world's smallest frog could sit on the average thumbnail. With the larger critter keeper I would say you can keep almost any sort of small pet. The only big opening is closed by a hinged trapdoor and the lid is fairly secure. Mine was not packed well and arrived with a crack which I fixed with epoxy. Since I am using it to raise my baby box turtles until the are big enough to go into my yard pen this container is ideal. For use as an aquarium, of course, you would have to have one that is not cracked. Buying these... » Read More I do not know exactly how big an African dwarf frog is but I do know that the world's smallest frog could sit on the average thumbnail. With the larger critter keeper I would say you can keep almost any sort of small pet. The only big opening is closed by a hinged trapdoor and the lid is fairly secure. Mine was not packed well and arrived with a crack which I fixed with epoxy. Since I am using it to raise my baby box turtles until the are big enough to go into my yard pen this container is ideal. For use as an aquarium, of course, you would have to have one that is not cracked. Buying these cages/tanks online is a lot cheaper than the pet stores by far. « Show Less
1972995
Great question. the live plants in the enclosure obsorb heat and humidity. This helps maintain constant temp and humid levels. Head over to reddit.com/r/chameleons for any other questions!
727620
I have a bearded dragon and did lay the cage down on it's side. I put ceramic tiles as the floor / substrate. I have used tiles for a while because they are easy to clean, great for letting the dragon scratch on (keeping nails filed) and they pull the heat very well from the lamps on top. I also upgraded the sides and back screens to Plexiglas, which worked out great too. In short through, just use ceramic tiles and you will be good to go. All you do is wipe clean and never replace. They last forever. Lowe's and Home Depot will cut them to size for you so all you will need to do is lay them in. (Recommend using the larger tiles 18x18inch tiles.) I have a bearded dragon and did lay the cage down on it's side. I put ceramic tiles as the floor / substrate. I have used tiles for a while because they are easy to clean, great for letting the dragon scratch on (keeping nails filed) and they pull the heat very well from the lamps on top. I also upgraded the sides and back screens to Plexiglas, which worked out great too. In short through, just use ceramic tiles and you will be good to go. All you do is wipe clean and never replace. They last forever. Lowe's and Home Depot will cut them to size for you so all you will need to do is lay them... » Read More I have a bearded dragon and did lay the cage down on it's side. I put ceramic tiles as the floor / substrate. I have used tiles for a while because they are easy to clean, great for letting the dragon scratch on (keeping nails filed) and they pull the heat very well from the lamps on top. I also upgraded the sides and back screens to Plexiglas, which worked out great too. In short through, just use ceramic tiles and you will be good to go. All you do is wipe clean and never replace. They last forever. Lowe's and Home Depot will cut them to size for you so all you will need to do is lay them in. (Recommend using the larger tiles 18x18inch tiles.) « Show Less
1043944
This is not a good tank for turtles lol. it has an opening door and the wasted space! Zoo med makes awesome products for turtles though. You want somthing like a regular 10 gallon tank. that you can pimp out with turtle stuff.
1107201
That tank looked way too tiny. I have mine in a 3 gallon tank with an undergravel filter using an airstone for flow. Has worked since I got them, rarely needs cleaning ever. I have 12 in that little tank though. It is circular and they really seem to love the shape as they continuously swim around and around. They didn't do that in the 3 gallon fish aquarium with a filter? Good to see them active. Regular filters could all damage the shrimp so undergravel is much safer for them.
706336
I used it for my single green anole. A larger terrarium would be better for more.
1618199
Hello, I hope it`s not too late, to say that this, would absolutely not work as a turtle set-up... especially for red eared sliders. These guys get pretty massive relatively quick. Depending on its gender, in the first two years of its life... it could reach 3-6 inches long. Generally the rule of thumb for turtles is 10 gallons for every inch of turtle. I'm sorry if this bumbed you out. Turtles are really cool pets but need huge tanks. I wish you good luck! Casey
892485
The big one is actually quite large. I put one on my 12x12x32 terrarium. I have dart frogs in it and with a thermostat, it can maintain their temp. It is meant to create a hot spot. It has been a while since I stuck it on , but it was as far as I remember, it was not quite as wide, and about 1/3 the length. Zoo med .com will have exact specs.
1618201
Casey is correct....this is way to small. It will be okay temporarily, but you will have to get a bigger tank and a better filtration system. It's cheaper/better to just start out with a bigger tank. Even the 15g-20g suggestion will be too small at some point. Here's a link to a really good care sheet: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/housing.htmAt one point I had 7 turtles and they are great animals, but they do require a lot of work that pet stores don't tell you.
2256194
This one would cover most if not all of your terrarium. Reptiles need to have a location where they cool off so in a small space as that i personally would get the mini dome. Either case make sure the dome is at least 6 inches away from the highest point your snake can reach since it does get hot. If you have a vet that you regularly go to maybe contact them for more information on heating for your pet.
894635
We have a 40 gallon tank with a tortoise in it. The light does the job. We have had no problems using it on a screen top. Our tortoise is approximately 4 hands size. It does not heat the entire inclosure but does heat half. The other half does not get cold though. It is just cooler.
1860682
Hi Dino - My bearded dragon didn't use this rock very often at all. I like the thermostat feature, as you can keep the temperature at a reasonable low heat. The rock itself is dense and heavy and therefore it takes a while to heat up to temperature. My friend has 2 bearded dragons and he uses the under tank heaters.