Best substrate on Reddit
156 reviews from r/PlantedTank, r/leopardgeckos, r/BeardedDragons and 34 more subreddits
156 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Fluval
4.5
(14)
"Fluval is perfect"
"I have the fluval stratum with a sand cap in my 55 gal community tank."
"I recommend stratum all alone."
"Personally enjoy Fluval substrate."
"To me fluval stratum really is worth it."
"Swap it for Fluval Stratum if you want plants."
"Fluval Bio Stratum is fantastic for plants and helps achieve ultra clean water quickly."
"For substrate, I would say fluval stratum is definitely good, and sand can be pretty good too."
"This is the mix i'm using. it's made out of bark, coco chips, pumice, perlite, some sphagnum moss and fluval stratum."
"I used fluvel stratum and does not need to be capped but very $$$ but worth it I think"
#2
N/A
4.8
(13)
"70% organic topsoil and 30% playsand is the most popular safe loose substrate for leopard geckos!"
"I have a mix of traction sand and pea gravel and leaf litter and they love it"
"Consider a dirted tank a la Walstad or Father Fish. Soil with a sand cap."
"Go with the sand. Many if not most rooted plants can be grown in sand as long as root tabs are provided."
"Coco coir, orchid bark, cypress mulch and top soil are the four recommended options."
"70% organic topsoil, 30% playsand is regarded as the best option for leopard geckos :) "
"High quality, natural loose substrate is the best you can offer to your bearded dragon of ANY age."
"I like black sand, because goldfish poop kinda blends in and it doesn't look as gross."
"Sand bottom and plenty of moss balls. Our orandas love knocking the moss balls around and sifting through the sand."
"Idk much about skinks but I think a mix of play sand, soil, clay and Coco coir would be good."
#3
Reptisoil
4.2
(6)
"Reptisoil is the closest you’ll get"
"Reptisoil will always be the best."
"Personally I do half reptisoil and half zoomed forest floor wood chips."
"Maybe see if you can get reptisoil or Arcadia earthmix to replace it?"
"I find reptisoil to be a great option."
"Reptisoil can get pricey but it's interchangeable with top soil & sand."
#4
Aquasoil
3.6
(5)
"I have aquasoil capped with aquarium gravel. Both plants and frogs are doing well."
"You can put the aquasoil in and then just top it off with the gravel."
"Aquasoil can mix with gravel over time, which may look goofy but isn't necessarily bad."
"If you can find aquasoil without any fertilizer, that would be your best bet"
"Advise against active substrate. Once nutrients in soil deplete, you'll probably need to add root tabs or fertilizer depending on how it's planted/stocked."
#5
ReptiChip
4.5
(4)
"I second reptichip and zoomed forest floor."
"Reptichip and Zoo Med Forest Floor are always my go-to, as they both retain humidity and are fairly resistant to mold."
"I like repti chip the blocks are too large for most snakes to swallow."
"I currently use ReptiChip for my Nelson milk snake and it works really well."
#6
ADA
4.5
(4)
"For rescue: ADA Amazonia Ver.2"
"ADA amazonia v2 substrate is superior"
"The ADA aquasoil is easy to use and plants are growing well."
"If you can afford it, ADA Amazonia is a great choice."
#7
Zoo Med
4.3
(4)
"Reptichip and Zoo Med Forest Floor are always my go-to, as they both retain humidity and are fairly resistant to mold."
"I’ve always used zoo med reptisoil substrate."
"I use a mixture of the eco earth compressed bricks and zoo med New Zealand sphagnum moss."
"I like forest floor as well but I had concerns about my snakes accidentally eating small pieces."
#8
Seachem
4.0
(4)
"I'm having good results with seachem fluorite."
"I’ve only ever used Seachem Fluorite and I’ve had pretty good luck."
"I've got tanks with blasting sand, Seachem Flouirite, and just fine grade gravel."
"I like the Seachem Fluorite, natural color."
#9
Coconut Fiber
5.0
(3)
"Coconut fiber has always worked great for me."
"My girls love coconut fiber that’s a little damp."
"Coconut fibers and chips as well as that forest floor mix makes a really great substrate."
#10
Jurassic Natural
5.0
(3)
"Australian desert red sand is the absolute best substrate for bearded dragons."
"Australian Desert Red sand."
""Jurassic Natural Australian Desert Dragon Habitat" is really the best of the best."
#11
Aspen
3.5
(4)
"I like and use Aspen for my Kingsnakes."
"Aspen bedding or coconut husk substrate."
"There’s nothing wrong with using aspen as long as your ambient humidity is good."
"Aspen can cause humidity issues and is not digestible if ingested."
#12
Tropica
4.7
(3)
"It has given me great results."
"I use tropica soil which always works well for me"
"I just went with Tropica, can’t say how it will hold up."
#13
Scott’s
4.3
(3)
"Scott’s organic topsoil is a great choice for mixing with washed playsand."
"Most people use a mix of 70% organic topsoil (eg Scott’s or Timberline) and 30% washed playsand."
"Most people use 70/30 organic topsoil / washed playsand."
#14
Exo Terra
4.3
(3)
"Works with plants really well."
"Exo Terra Stone Desert replicates their natural substrate."
"I'd go with sand or sand-stone."
#15
Eco Earth
4.3
(3)
"I use Eco Earth and coconut chips, and they work great!"
"I use eco earth covered in moss with springtails it works out well because my springtail culture is from a coco choir setup!"
"I use Eco Earth coconut chip substrate with a forest floor underneath and so far she likes it."
#16
Repti Soil
4.0
(3)
"A mix of repti soil (you can find at your local pet store) and play sand or excavator clay or do all 3."
"I have yet to find something I like more than sand/soil."
"I use Reptisoil because it's premixed."
#17
Bio Dude
4.0
(3)
"Bio dude Terra Sahara! Great for plants too"
"Biodude terra sahara is a really good premade substrate available on amazon!"
"I know people recommend Bio Dude substrate, I personally haven’t tried that brand but you can also do 70:30 topsoil and play sand"
#18
Eco Complete
4.0
(3)
"Eco Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate And thank me later."
"Eco complete is freaking great."
"Tried the Eco Complete for a different look and had to completely tear down the 50 gal tank because I had all kinds of algae problems with it."
#19
Niteangel
3.7
(3)
"The coco peat is like a fine soil and it's really cute to watch my hamster dig in it."
"The cork granules are a fun texture and come in a big bag."
"The coco chips are my least favorite; they feel like they're not really doing much."
#20
Josh's Frogs
5.0
(2)
"For substrate Josh’s frogs sells a bio active arid mix, as does the bio dude."
"I use joshes frogs arid bio mix."
#21
Reptichip
5.0
(2)
"Great value for the size, expands well when wet."
"I use for all my boas & pythons, great product!"
#22
Coco Coir
4.5
(2)
"I use coco coir for my russian and it's been the best out of the ones I've tried."
"Coco coir helps with moisture retention and is great for lower humidity areas."
#23
Scotts
4.5
(2)
"50% Scotts Topsoil 50% Quickrete Premium Sand."
"Did you look for Scott’s or Timberline organic topsoil?"
#24
HTH
4.5
(2)
"If anything, well-rinsed pool filter sand. My fancies adore rooting around in it!"
"If you use pool sand, use HTH brand."
#25
The Bio Dude
4.5
(2)
"My favorite loose substrate by far is terra Sahara by the bio dude."
"I used the bio dude tropical biobedding."
#26
Black Diamond Blasting Sand
4.0
(2)
"Black Diamond blasting sand."
"Black diamond blasting sand is another option if you don't want aquasoil."
#27
Scott's
4.0
(2)
"Most people use a mix of 70/30 organic topsoil / washed playsand."
"Most people use 70/30 organic topsoil / washed playsand."
#28
Critters Comfort
4.0
(2)
"I use Critters Comfort Fine Grade for a GTP."
"I've used coarse grade critters comfort for my coastal."
#29
Petco
4.0
(2)
"The sand from Petco is great for corys, but consider their size for the right amount."
"You can get coco soil for $11 at Petco."
#30
Home Depot
3.5
(2)
"I use 70-80% topsoil and about 20-30% playsand."
"I got... two bags of $3 top soil from home depot."
#31
Saf-T-Sorb
5.0
(1)
"I am a huge fan of Saf-T-Sorb."
#32
Smooth Stone Gravel
5.0
(1)
"Smooth stone gravel is the best way to go. Make sure it’s larger than 5mm"
#33
Whitney Farms
5.0
(1)
"I use Whitney farms organic potting soil off Amazon my pods love it."
#34
Tarantula Cribs
5.0
(1)
"I love the substrate from tarantulacribs.com! I love all their products honestly!!"
#35
Australian
5.0
(1)
"The ABSOLUTE best substrate is Australian red desert sand."
#36
Australian Red
5.0
(1)
"The absolutely best is australian red substrate, thats the most natural for them and its the same as their origin habitat in australia."
#37
Bioactive Substrate
5.0
(1)
"In my opinion, a bioactive substrate is by far the best."
#38
The Biodude
5.0
(1)
"The biodude has some great options!"
#39
Amazon
5.0
(1)
"Holds moisture well especially under the surface and it doesn't get stuck to food."
#40
Quikrete
5.0
(1)
"Quikrete washed playsand is safe and effective for leopard gecko habitats."
#41
Ceramic
4.0
(1)
"Ceramic tiles are a classic choice."
#42
Aquaticmotiv.com
4.0
(1)
"Check out Aquaticmotiv.com. They are also on Etsy."
#43
Pets At Home
4.0
(1)
"Coco fiber! Pretty easy to find online or at a local pet shop."
#44
Happy Frog
4.0
(1)
"For substrate, I like ABG and sometimes if I’m working on a larger tank, I use Happy Frog (no fertilizers) then ABG as the top substrate."
#45
Caribsea
4.0
(1)
"Caribsea naturals are nice sands and inert so won't alter ph."
#46
Bugz N Bits
4.0
(1)
"I like block subrstste but you can get loose if you like."
#47
Controsoil
4.0
(1)
"Controsoil worked really well for me, its a but pricy but worth it"
#48
Cypress Mulch
4.0
(1)
"A layer of cypress mulch helps as well as it holds moisture after misting."
#49
Play Sand
4.0
(1)
"Play sand is usually cheaper and works just the same."
#50
Cocofiber
4.0
(1)
"Cocofiber works better."
#51
Josh's Frogs Milli Mix
4.0
(1)
"I like Josh’s Frogs Milli Mix and Bio Boutique"
#52
Bugs in Cyber Space
4.0
(1)
"Bugs in Cyber Space also makes a substrate and although I’ve never purchased it, he’s been in the hobby a long time so I’d trust it."
#53
Coconut Husk
4.0
(1)
"I use coconut husk along with play sand and organic black earth."
#54
Bio Dudes
4.0
(1)
"Another good option is the bio dudes Terra Sahara that one’s a little more pricey, but if you’re doing a bioactive set up it’s really worth it!"
#55
Stratum
4.0
(1)
"That said, stratum is fabulous too."
#56
Tractor Supply Co.
4.0
(1)
"If you want black sand go to Tractor supply Co. and buy a bag of black diamond."
#57
Biodude
4.0
(1)
"I used biodude in my bearded dragons enclosure and it’s much easier to maintain."
#58
Aspen Digs
4.0
(1)
"I use Aspen Digs, which works well for me."
#59
Ace Hardware
4.0
(1)
"I use 30% playsand from ace hardware and 70% organic top soil."
#60
Pangea
4.0
(1)
"I use Pangea ABG! i think it’s a good substrate!"
#61
Top Soil
4.0
(1)
"I've had pretty good luck with top soil capped with sand."
#62
Topsoil and Playsand Mix
4.0
(1)
"Topsoil 70% to 30% playsand, you can add excavator clay if you want."
#63
Soil and Sand Mixture
4.0
(1)
"I did a 70% Soil 30% Sand mixture that my boy loves."
#64
Sand
4.0
(1)
"They need sand but will do fine on aquasoil or gravel."
#65
Inert Substrate
4.0
(1)
"By far the easiest and stress free way is by using an inert substrate."
#66
Bio Stratum and Gravel
4.0
(1)
"My 10-gallon has Bio Stratum on one side and plain gravel on the other."
#67
Chunky Aroid Mix
4.0
(1)
"I use my chunky aroid mix. Succlent soil, perlite, bark, and charcoal."
#68
Top Soil and Sand
4.0
(1)
"Im using top soil and sand for my northern, great substrate for many different species."
#69
Organic Topsoil
4.0
(1)
"Most people use 70/30 organic topsoil / washed playsand."
#70
Josh's Frogs Tropical ABG Bedding
4.0
(1)
"I use joshs frogs tropical abg bedding."
#71
Zilla
4.0
(1)
"I found some the same as eco earth but cheaper and the brand is ZIlla."
#72
Fluval Stratum
3.0
(1)
"I’ve had mine initially on fluval stratum, that kicked up too much debris when they dove into it."
#73
Earthgro
3.0
(1)
"I use earthgro topsoil, It came with springtails and some worms."
#74
Habistat
3.0
(1)
"Currently using an Australian red sand mix by Habistat."
#75
Scott
2.0
(1)
"On my other tank I used a pre mixed soil from Walmart (if you have those) from Scott brand, it was just like a topsoil"
#76
Thrive
2.0
(1)
"We bought thrive reptile calcium sand from petsmart for ours but then heard it's not good for him."
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