Water dish

[Ashley_Sheldon]

Ok so I have this water dish thats a really good size for my Sheldon but it seems i have to constantly change it out because he decides to kick is coconut fiber into it and get himself and his enclosure all muddy . He does this especially after a bath ! Anyways on how to prevent him from doing this while the water source is still there ? Maybe flat rocks around it so there's not so much of the coco fiber there ?

 

[wellington]

I never had this problem with my Leo, but yes, I have seen many others use rocks around the dish to help prevent so much of the substrate going into the water.

 

[Ashley_Sheldon]

I never had this problem with my Leo, but yes, I have seen many others use rocks around the dish to help prevent so much of the substrate going into the water.

Ok thanks so much !

 

[Levi the Leopard]

I keep rocks around my dishes. I've never had a major problem with them tracking dirt into the water but it does happen.

Just part of the territory. Change it as often as you need to but realize they don't need it sparkling clean to drink from it That's just our preference...

 

[Ashley_Sheldon]

I keep rocks around my dishes. I've never had a major problem with them tracking dirt into the water but it does happen.

Just part of the territory. Change it as often as you need to but realize they don't need it sparkling clean to drink from it That's just our preference...

Oh ok thanks but i get scared because I thought coconut fiber isnt digestible but thank you

 

[Tom]

How big is your enclosure and what sort of water dish are you using?

 

[AnnV]

Also, seeding that area might help. I bought some of the Chia seeds and those little suckers come up fast. I mixed with some broadleaf seeds.
And if its densely seeded, it is like a carpet. I used rocks too. (They still manage to drag substrate in to some extent)

 

[Ashley_Sheldon]

How big is your enclosure and what sort of water dish are you using?

Well I have a picture , the blue thing in the back is his water I dont know exactly how big it is but will this help ?

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Also, seeding that area might help. I bought some of the Chia seeds and those little suckers come up fast. I mixed with some broadleaf seeds.
And if its densely seeded, it is like a carpet. I used rocks too. (They still manage to drag substrate in to some extent)

Thats such a great idea but are they safe to eat ? Anything new in his cage will make him try to nibble at it and if he like it , he'll keep eating lol

 

[AnnV]

Yes safe. You can plant lots of nutritious things. But be prepared to reseed often. The rocks help to keep things in place better.
Squash plants are good. And many of the fibrous "greens."

 

[Tom]

If you double or triple the amount of coir in there, wet it, and then hand pack it down, it will be a lot less messy. The other suggestions already given will help too.

Messiness is my main complaint with coir for sulcata babies, and its the reason coir is only my second favorite for sulcatas.

You can buy a huge block of coir at the garden center for about $12. To buy the same amount at the pet store would cost over $100.

 

[Ashley_Sheldon]

Yes safe. You can plant lots of nutritious things. But be prepared to reseed often. The rocks help to keep things in place better.
Squash plants are good. And many of the fibrous "greens."

Ok thanks so much this was super helpful !

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If you double or triple the amount of coir in there, wet it, and then hand pack it down, it will be a lot less messy. The other suggestions already given will help too.

Messiness is my main complaint with coir for sulcata babies, and its the reason coir is only my second favorite for sulcatas.

You can buy a huge block of coir at the garden center for about $12. To buy the same amount at the pet store would cost over $100.

Oh thats great to know and yes it's very messy with the babies whats your first favorite again ? I need to put it in my notes . Wow thats so great to hear about that coir ! thanks again Tom !

 

[Jacqui]

I like planting moss next to my water dishes.


I haven't saw the big blocks of coir around here. But wondering how you would soak that big of a block at one time or is that loose powdery coir?Trying to mentally picture what it would look like if it's 30 of the bricks in size.

 

[Ashley_Sheldon]

I like planting moss next to my water dishes.


I haven't saw the big blocks of coir around here. But wondering how you would soak that big of a block at one time or is that loose powdery coir?Trying to mentally picture what it would look like if it's 30 of the bricks in size.

Oh thats a great idea ! I'll have to try it ! And the coir comes in a big block and you soak it so it spread apart to a regular amount so its like loose powdery coir compacted into a block .