For absolute starters in raising a little adorable gecko, the best bioactive substrate for leopard gecko to search for should take most of your effort to answer.
In particular, your mission is to figure out the most comfortable bottom layer of material for your tank.
That is what substrate refers to.
How about bioactive?
Not only does a bioactive bedding layer offer a suitable playground for your pets, but it also provides a home for decomposers.
These tiny living creatures help decay organic waste in the enclosure and therefore save your immense effort in cleanup and maintenance.
We know it is not easy at all to raise your special child.
Let us be your trustworthy companion in this challenging and also wonderful journey.
Today, we would like to introduce to you the most highly recommended bioactive substrates for leopard gecko and guidelines for choosing suitable ones.
Here are the top-rated bioactive substrates for leopard gecko we recommend:
- Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate – Top Pick
- Zoo Med Terrarium Moss – Runner Up
- Galápagos Sheets of Real Moss – Best Budget
- Josh’s Frogs Dig-It – Best Vermiculite Substrate
- Josh’s Frogs Coco Cradle – Best Coconut Husk Substrate
- Zoo Med Eco Earth
- ReptiCasa Loose Coconut Substrate Husk Fibers
Let us talk about the features, pros, and cons of these bioactive substrate for leopard gecko below!
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What Is Bioactive Substrate?
Currently, on the market, there is a diverse range of bioactive types for your lovely pet, with different ingredients and characteristics.
Also, the type of substrate used decides how many times you are going to replace and clean it.
So, buyers can easily be confused without any buying guide or specific requirements for a high-quality product.
First and foremost, there is a need to know how to position the product.
1. Position of Bioactive Substrate
When applying a bedding substance for your terrarium or enclosure, different kinds of them have different abilities to retain humidity. Remember, your leopard gecko is a semi-desert animal.
So, it does not want to live in somewhere too wet.
Therefore, when setting up any type of substrate, ensure putting a thermometer probe beneath it so that you can always monitor the humidity level inside the tank.
2. Types of Bioactive Substrate
a. Single-layer
This type of bioactive substrate solely requires one of these materials: sand, soil, coconut fiber, and so on in order to form a layer of bedding for your gecko.
With this, you can only keep your little pet and micro-fauna.
b. Multi-layer
This kind of substrate is designed for the growth of plants as well as micro-fauna in your terrarium.
It includes 2 layers of materials.
The top layer is made of soil, sand, or other single-layer substrates. And the bottom layer is in charge of draining.
7 Best Bioactive Substrate for Leopard Gecko Shortlist (Updated List)
| Product images | Product names | Editor's rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate | 4.7 | Check Price |
  | Zoo Med Terrarium Moss | 4.5 | Check Price |
  | Galápagos Sheets of Real Moss | 4.7 | Check Price |
  | Josh’s Frogs Dig-It | 5.0 | Check Price |
  | Josh’s Frogs Coco Cradle | 4.9 | Check Price |
  | Zoo Med Eco Earth (Single Brick) | 4.6 | Check Price |
  | ReptiCasa Loose Coconut Substrate Husk Fibers | 4.6 | Check Price |
Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change.
7 Best Bioactive Substrate for Leopard Gecko
1. Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate – TOP PICK
The first best bioactive substrate for leopard gecko belongs to the brand Zoo Med.
Among many types of loose substances for a gecko, Zoo Med Eco Earth loose coconut fiber bedding layer emerges as one of the most powerful competitors.
Base on the tank size, you can consider which is the most suitable and economical size between the two currently available.
The first one is 8-quart while the other is up to 24-quart.
This great product is ideal for the setup of a mimicking natural habitat in a terrarium.
It has a natural ability to deodorize as well as take in wastes either from animals or plants.
Additionally, it keeps the humidity to maintain at a proper level for your little gecko to stay healthy and content all the time.
For a gecko that enjoys burrowing and digging so much, there is no reason you should miss this safe substance for geckos.
The height of a coconut fiber layer should be as 1.5 to 2 times as that of your pet.
Pros:
- The price is highly favorable
- There are two different sizes available for you to purchase
- Great odor control and ability to take in waste products
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Your pet can comfortably burrow and dig in.
Cons:
- Always pay attention to the humidity level of your tank after the loose substrate soaked into the water and squeezed in order not for the animal to get sick
2. Zoo Med Terrarium Moss – RUNNER UP
Let’s continue with our series with another product from the brand Zoo Med!
If you are worrying that you are going to spend too much or not enough money on a natural type of bedding substance, do not miss this one.
Zoo Med Terrarium Moss offers purchasers 5 options of size to choose from.
Within a short period, you can quickly come up with a smart choice just by considering the volume of your tank.
There is even a mini compressed size for several gecko tanks.
It is made from natural sphagnum moss.
With this totally organic product, you can perfectly mimic the natural living environment of your leopard gecko.
Not yet. It is also ideal for your gecko to lay eggs on and for the incubating process.
In addition to that, you can use this kind of bedding layer for your pet’s moist hide.
Pros:
- Environmentally friendly
- It contains no dyes, no chemicals, and no pesticides
- Multiple options to choose in terms of size
- Multiple functions
Cons:
- A bit difficult for you to clean
- The color of the moss may change when time passes by
3. Galápagos Sheets of Real Moss – BEST BUDGET
The third best bioactive substrate for leopard gecko recommended today is Galapagos Sheets of Real Moss.
Let check out its characteristics with us!
Besides functioning as a good bedding substance, it is also a wonderful decorative item.
Consisting of completely natural moss, it is so environment-friendly.
The product can be used for a long time because it is made from large sheets of moss.
Also, it creates a natural environment-like place for your housed pet to enjoy.
Moreover, it has a great ability to retain humidity.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Eco-friendly
- Free of toxins and chemicals
Con:
- The price is pretty higher than the same type from other brands
4. Josh’s Frogs Dig-It – BEST VERMICULITE SUBSTRATE
Welcome to the next best bedding substance for your beloved gecko!
Ready to get an inside into this premium reptile bedding substance?
Your energetic gecko will surely be fun of burrowing and tunneling in it.
There are two different functions you can exploit in this one and only Dig-It.
Not only can it be the bottom layer for your tank, but also it can be used as a lay box bedding layer, thanks to the ingredient of vermiculite.
Dig-It organic substrate for leopard gecko contains vermiculite and peat moss, which are safe and eco-friendly as well as much softer than coconut fiber.
2 pounds of the purchase provide your facility for animals with around 9.5 liters of substrate.
Pros:
- Easy to clean after use
- Very soft and comfortable
- It has 2-in-1 function
- Less possibility to harm your pet’s feet according to its great softness
Con:
- Slightly expensive
5. Josh’s Frogs Coco Cradle – BEST COCONUT HUSK SUBSTRATE
Another merchandise from Josh’s Frogs that also appears in the best bioactive substrate for the leopard gecko list is Coco Cradle.
Unlike most types available on the market, it is eco-friendly and biodegradable.
If this reason is inadequate for you to consider this product line, let’s check out these features below.
Coconut husk or coconut fiber is the one and only ingredient that creates this safe substance for the bedding layer.
As a result, it has a great performance in odor absorption and waste decomposition.
Different from the compressed bedding layer, this type is the loose one, and therefore, it does not keep you busy with complex preparation in advance.
It is available right at the moment you have it.
Only soak it into the water to the extent you decide to use.
Do not turn your beautiful enclosure into a pond with an amount of excess water after squeezing the moistened substrate.
Excellent ability to keep and maintain moisture in your tiny garden helps this best bedding substance for geckos become famous.
It can take in nutrients, wastes, and aerate the soil, encouraging plant roots to develop.
Pros:
- Easy to keep your tank hygienic
- Coconut fiber is soft, which allows your little creature to freely burrow in
- The setup is easy as it is loose
- Easy to maintain
- Environment-friendly and biodegradable
Cons:
- The price is rather high
6. Zoo Med Eco Earth
The sixth best bioactive substrate for leopard gecko belongs to brand Zoo Med, once again.
And this Eco Earth brick, an environment-friendly product, is made of compressed coconut fiber.
This type is especially favorable to your little burrowing creature.
Each 1.4 pound-brick like this can expand to 7 or 8 liters of the substance.
For arid and semi-desert lizards, it would be best to keep the bedding layer dry.
After soaking the pet substrate into the water, remember to squeeze the excess water and place it in a warm area.
Plus, the Eco Earth bioactive substrate can deodorize as well as decompose waste products.
Pros:
- Easy to use and keep hygienic
- Keep the tank smell nice and fresh
- Convenient to control the humidity level either by adding water or leaving it dry
- It is fine and not easily get compacted in your gecko’ digestive system
- The price is favorable
Cons:
- It can become packed down over time
- Must be augmented as it breaks down in the long run
7. ReptiCasa Loose Coconut Substrate Husk Fibers
The last position in our checklist belongs to a famous product from brand ReptiCasa. It is soft and fluffy like a pillow!
As the ingredient is coconut coir, this naturalistic type is free of toxins and chemicals.
Furthermore, it does not produce dust. As a result, you can have a good sleep every night without worrying about your gecko’s safety.
The reptile bedding performs a great odor control ability.
Particularly, it is because coconut coir is an incredible material to take in moisture and decay waste products.
If Zoo Med Eco Earth type is compressed, ReptiCasa Store, on the other hand, offers the best loose bedding substance that is always ready to use.
With this purchase, you will be getting about 20 liters of substrate for your leopard gecko tank.
Pros:
- Environment-friendly and biodegradable
- No essential oils included
- Free of pesticides and parasites
- Ready to use, no need to soak it into the water
- Earth-like texture provides a comfortable and natural living condition
Cons:
- Carefully make sure the tank has enough ventilation in order to maintain a good supply of fresh air and a comfortable humidity level
How to Pick the Best Bioactive Substrate for Leopard Gecko?
To help you face up this challenging task, we would love to share with you the standard requirements for the best bioactive substrate. Let’s check these out!
1. Safe
Materials used for making the substrate for leopard gecko must be free of toxins, chemicals, pesticides, dyes, or any other similar types.
The playground as well as space where your gecko eats and walk must be harmless and cause no inflammation to your pet’s skin.
In terms of safety, it also means that the substrate you apply for the tank should cause no potential risks for the gecko’s respiratory system and digestive systems.
A loose one is more likely to pose a threat to your little pet’s respiratory system as it may produce dust.
Additionally, a food-like substrate such as sand can cause harm to your gecko when it takes sand as their yummy food.
2. Easy to Clean
To reduce your monthly maintenance and the tank upkeep cost, it is important to search for a substrate that is easy to be removed and to be easy for cleanup.
However, these criteria actually can vary depending on your animal’s age:
For juvenile geckos, sand poses a huge threat to them in case of swallowing and impaction even if the little pet eats sands intentionally to get some calcium, or accidentally.
Calcium is a very essential element to a pet’s diet, as shown down below in the chart.
However, the amount of calcium in normal insects is inadequate for them.
However, things work differently for adult geckos.
There is hardly a chance for a healthy adult gecko to eat sand.
Being careful is ever necessary. If you buy a sand substrate, it must be fine-grained sand to reduce the dust from it.
Besides, you should feed your pets in a tray so that there will be no chance for them to treat sand as their food.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bioactive Substrate for Leopard Gecko
1. What Bioactive Substrate to Use for a Leopard Gecko?
There are many types of bioactive substrate for leopard gecko you can choose from.
Base on the above-mentioned criteria of safety, convenience to clean, as well as your gecko’s age, you can figure out what type is suitable the most with your little pet.
2. What Type of Bioactive Substrate for Leopard Gecko Are Unsafe?
You should avoid using these due to their potential risks: gravel, wood chips, walnut shells. They are unsafe and likely to cause harm to your pet’s respiratory system and its digestion.
3. What Type of Bedding Substance Is Best for My Leopard Gecko?
They are reptile carpet, paper towels, stone slates, coconut fiber, and excavator clay.
4. How Much Bedding Substance Should I Use for My Leopard Gecko?
The amount used should be compatible with your tank size.
According to this table, you can choose the most suitable and economical type for your beloved gecko.
| Aquarium Size in Gallons | Ibs of Substrate Needed |
|---|---|
| 10 Gallon | 10-20 |
| 20 Gallon | 20-40 |
| 40 Gallon | 40-80 |
| 50 Gallon | 50-100 |
| 70 Gallon | 75-150 |
| 90 Gallon | 90-180 |
| 125 Gallon | 125-250 |
| 150 Gallon | 150-300 |
5. Why Sand Is Bad for Leopard Gecko?
Sand is edible, which can cause digestion and impaction accidentally. Plus, it easily grows mold and bacteria in a wet environment. Therefore, sand is bad for them, especially for juveniles.
6. Can I Use Coconut Substrate for Leopard Geckos?
Even though it is a bit controversial for use, it is commonly recommended for a series of strengths: not expensive, eco-friendly, a great humidity absorber, and also a deodorizer.
Therefore, it is considered the best option for a gecko.
The controversy starts as it is edible and, sometimes, it can cause impaction after they, especially the juvenile, eat it.
7. I Need a Substrate for Gecko Eggs. What Type Should I Use?
Taking care of its eggs can become easier with the one made from vermiculite or perlite or both of them.
8. What Is the Best Substrate for Leopard Gecko Moist Hide?
There are various comfortable types, and one of the best is sphagnum moss.
Read More:
- Top 9 Best Substrate for Russian Tortoise
- Best Substrate for Leopard Tortoise
- Best Substrate for Sulcata Tortoise: Guideline for the New Keepers
Conclusion
When raising a little gecko, it is a must to consider every small detail. And during the journey of nurturing such a little kid from the beginning till the end, we would love to stand beside you.
If you need a bioactive bedding layer that is easy to clean and save your efforts in the tank maintenance, may we recommend the Zoo Med Eco Earth.
Or if you need the one that can mimic your gecko’s natural environment, we highly recommend you use the Zoo Med Terrarium Moss for Amphibians and Reptiles.
With a few sharing today, we hope you have already equipped yourself with the smart choices of the best bioactive substrate for leopard gecko and requirements for a standard bioactive substrate. Good luck and see you next time!
Key points when deciding on a bioactive substrate for your leopard gecko:
Creating a bioactive enclosure for your leopard gecko is a great way to enhance their environment and mimic their natural habitat. The substrate you choose plays a crucial role in providing a safe and enriching space for your pet. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting the best bioactive substrate for a leopard gecko:
1. Natural Appearance:
- Opt for a substrate that mimics the gecko’s natural environment, such as arid desert or semi-arid terrain.
2. Absorbent Qualities:
- Choose a substrate with good moisture-absorbing capabilities to help maintain the appropriate humidity level in the enclosure.
- An ideal substrate should be able to hold moisture while still allowing for proper drainage.
3. Burrowing Friendliness:
- Leopard geckos are known for their burrowing behavior.
- Select a substrate that facilitates burrowing and allows them to exhibit their natural instincts.
4. Non-Irritating Texture:
- The substrate should be free of sharp or abrasive particles that could injure the gecko’s soft belly.
- Avoid substrates like coarse sand or gravel.
5. Ingestibility:
- Some substrates, such as loose sand, can be accidentally ingested by the gecko and lead to impaction.
- Choose a substrate that is not easily ingested, reducing the risk of health issues.
6. Cleanliness and Low Odor:
- A bioactive substrate should assist in maintaining a clean and odor-free enclosure.
- Substrates with natural cleaning organisms like springtails and isopods can help break down waste and detritus.
7. Thermal Conductivity:
- Leopard geckos require a warm basking area.
- Opt for a substrate that has good thermal conductivity and retains heat for the comfort of your pet.
8. Sustainability and Reusability:
- Consider substrates that can be cleaned, sterilized, and reused, reducing waste and saving on long-term costs.
9. Substrate Options:
- Coco coir (coconut fiber): Provides excellent moisture retention and is easy to burrow in.
- Cypress mulch: Offers good moisture retention and is soft on the gecko’s belly.
- Organic topsoil: Allows for natural digging and burrowing behavior.
- Bioactive substrates (commercially available): These substrates are designed for bioactive enclosures and contain beneficial microorganisms to help with waste decomposition.
10. Health and Safety:
- Ensure the substrate you choose is free of harmful chemicals, pesticides, or contaminants.
- Avoid substrates that may release toxins or pose health risks to your gecko.
11. Dust-Free:
- Leopard geckos are sensitive to respiratory irritants.
- Select a substrate that is low-dust to prevent respiratory issues.
12. Consistency:
- Maintain a consistent substrate depth throughout the enclosure to provide a comfortable and stable environment for your gecko.
In conclusion, the best bioactive substrate for your leopard gecko should cater to their natural behaviors, promote burrowing, maintain proper humidity, and be safe for ingestion. Carefully consider the options available and select a substrate that aligns with your gecko’s specific needs while ensuring a clean and enriching living space. Regularly monitor the substrate’s condition, and be prepared to make necessary adjustments to maintain a healthy and stimulating environment for your pet.
