Best substrate on Reddit
140 reviews from r/PlantedTank, r/leopardgeckos, r/BeardedDragons and 28 more subreddits
140 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Fluval
4.5
(15)
"Fluval is perfect"
"I have the fluval stratum with a sand cap in my 55 gal community tank."
"I recommend stratum all alone."
"I have fluval aqua soil and I have capped it with cheap pool filter sand."
"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."
#2
Zoo Med
4.4
(5)
"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."
"Zoo Med ReptiSand is a great option for leopard geckos when used correctly."
"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."
#3
Reptisoil
4.2
(5)
"Reptisoil is the closest you’ll get"
"Reptisoil will always be the best."
"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
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."
#8
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."
#9
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."
#10
The Bio Dude
4.7
(3)
"My favorite loose substrate by far is terra Sahara by the bio dude."
"This substrate is perfect for my isopods! They thrive in it and it looks great in the tank."
"I used the bio dude tropical biobedding."
#11
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."
#12
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."
#13
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."
#14
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."
#15
Tarantula Cribs
5.0
(2)
"I love the substrate from tarantulacribs.com! I love all their products honestly!!"
"I really like the substrate sold by tarantula cribs. It's a mix of soil, coco and sand. Our red knee burrows nicely in it."
#16
Reptichip
5.0
(2)
"Great value for the size, expands well when wet."
"I use for all my boas & pythons, great product!"
#17
Scotts
4.5
(2)
"50% Scotts Topsoil 50% Quickrete Premium Sand."
"Did you look for Scott’s or Timberline organic topsoil?"
#18
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."
#19
Bio Dude
4.5
(2)
"Bio dude Terra Sahara! Great for plants too"
"Biodude terra sahara is a really good premade substrate available on amazon!"
#20
Niteangel
4.5
(2)
"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."
#21
Exo Terra
4.5
(2)
"Works with plants really well."
"I'd go with sand or sand-stone."
#22
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."
#23
Black Diamond Blasting Sand
4.0
(2)
"Black Diamond blasting sand."
"Black diamond blasting sand is another option if you don't want aquasoil."
#24
Critters Comfort
4.0
(2)
"I use Critters Comfort Fine Grade for a GTP."
"I've used coarse grade critters comfort for my coastal."
#25
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."
#26
Eco Complete
3.5
(2)
"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."
#27
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."
#28
Smooth Stone Gravel
5.0
(1)
"Smooth stone gravel is the best way to go. Make sure it’s larger than 5mm"
#29
HTH
5.0
(1)
"If anything, well-rinsed pool filter sand. My fancies adore rooting around in it!"
#30
Whitney Farms
5.0
(1)
"I use Whitney farms organic potting soil off Amazon my pods love it."
#31
Josh's Frogs
5.0
(1)
"For substrate Josh’s frogs sells a bio active arid mix, as does the bio dude."
#32
Coconut Fiber
5.0
(1)
"Coconut fibers and chips as well as that forest floor mix makes a really great substrate."
#33
Australian
5.0
(1)
"The ABSOLUTE best substrate is Australian red desert sand."
#34
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."
#35
Bioactive Substrate
5.0
(1)
"In my opinion, a bioactive substrate is by far the best."
#36
The Biodude
5.0
(1)
"The biodude has some great options!"
#37
Amazon
5.0
(1)
"Holds moisture well especially under the surface and it doesn't get stuck to food."
#38
Quikrete
5.0
(1)
"Quikrete washed playsand is safe and effective for leopard gecko habitats."
#39
Local Garden Center
5.0
(1)
"A mix of top soil and coco coir topped with orchid bark is excellent for growing plants."
#40
Coconut Coir
5.0
(1)
"I use about 3 inches of coconut coir and 3-ish inches of cypress mulch for substrate."
#41
Timberline
5.0
(1)
"Timberline organic topsoil works well with playsand for leopard geckos."
#42
Cuttlebone
5.0
(1)
"I crush and sprinkle cuttlebone on his food two or three times a week."
#43
Neocaridina
5.0
(1)
"Heavily planted tank with inert substrate, 12 hours lighting, and CO2. Liquid fertilizer used weekly."
#44
Kellogg Garden Organics
5.0
(1)
"This soil, sifted, and capped with an inch and a half of sand is wonderful."
#45
Coco Fibre
5.0
(1)
"I put my coco fibre into the oven to dry it. They like their enclosures very dry."
#46
Zeolite
5.0
(1)
"Absorbs ammonia and nitrates effectively, reducing tank cycling issues."
#47
Jurassic Reptile Substrate
5.0
(1)
"Jurassic Reptile Substrate is a fine-grain dune sand that is safe for leopard geckos."
#48
Repti Bark
5.0
(1)
"Keeps humidity up and keeps top dry."
#49
Coconut Chips
5.0
(1)
"I use Eco Earth and coconut chips, and they work great!"
#50
Play Sand
4.0
(1)
"Play sand is usually cheaper and works just the same."
#51
Cocofiber
4.0
(1)
"Cocofiber works better."
#52
Josh's Frogs Milli Mix
4.0
(1)
"I like Josh’s Frogs Milli Mix and Bio Boutique"
#53
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."
#54
Coconut Husk
4.0
(1)
"I use coconut husk along with play sand and organic black earth."
#55
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!"
#56
Stratum
4.0
(1)
"That said, stratum is fabulous too."
#57
Tractor Supply Co.
4.0
(1)
"If you want black sand go to Tractor supply Co. and buy a bag of black diamond."
#58
Biodude
4.0
(1)
"I used biodude in my bearded dragons enclosure and it’s much easier to maintain."
#59
Aspen Digs
4.0
(1)
"I use Aspen Digs, which works well for me."
#60
Ace Hardware
4.0
(1)
"I use 30% playsand from ace hardware and 70% organic top soil."
#61
Pangea
4.0
(1)
"I use Pangea ABG! i think it’s a good substrate!"
#62
Top Soil
4.0
(1)
"I've had pretty good luck with top soil capped with sand."
#63
Topsoil and Playsand Mix
4.0
(1)
"Topsoil 70% to 30% playsand, you can add excavator clay if you want."
#64
Soil and Sand Mixture
4.0
(1)
"I did a 70% Soil 30% Sand mixture that my boy loves."
#65
Sand
4.0
(1)
"They need sand but will do fine on aquasoil or gravel."
#66
Inert Substrate
4.0
(1)
"By far the easiest and stress free way is by using an inert substrate."
#67
Bio Stratum and Gravel
4.0
(1)
"My 10-gallon has Bio Stratum on one side and plain gravel on the other."
#68
Chunky Aroid Mix
4.0
(1)
"I use my chunky aroid mix. Succlent soil, perlite, bark, and charcoal."
#69
Top Soil and Sand
4.0
(1)
"Im using top soil and sand for my northern, great substrate for many different species."
#70
Organic Topsoil
4.0
(1)
"Most people use 70/30 organic topsoil / washed playsand."
#71
Josh's Frogs Tropical ABG Bedding
4.0
(1)
"I use joshs frogs tropical abg bedding."
#72
Zilla
4.0
(1)
"I found some the same as eco earth but cheaper and the brand is ZIlla."
#73
theBioDude
4.0
(1)
"Terrasahara is great for bioactive setups and holds burrows well."
#74
Aquarium Substrate
4.0
(1)
"Corys do well in various substrates, including gravel, and sand is not necessary for their health."
#75
Fluval Stratum
3.0
(1)
"I’ve had mine initially on fluval stratum, that kicked up too much debris when they dove into it."
#76
Earthgro
3.0
(1)
"I use earthgro topsoil, It came with springtails and some worms."
#77
Habistat
3.0
(1)
"Currently using an Australian red sand mix by Habistat."
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