If you have a crested gecko, you may be looking for the perfect substrate for their tank. Crested geckos need humidity, so they need a substrate that can help support the humidity in their enclosure. It should also be easy to clean and hygienic, keeping your gecko healthy.
These reviews of the 7 best substrate options for your crested gecko will help you identify not just different products, but different types of products on the market that can help you create the best, healthiest environment for your reptilian pal. It may take trial and effort of different products to find the perfect product for your gecko’s tank, though. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to cleaning and maintenance and your gecko will likely have a specific preference of texture as well.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
Image | Product | Details | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Zoo Med Eco Earth Compressed Coconut Fiber Substrate |
|
Check Price | |
Best Value | Zilla Terrarium Liner Substrate |
|
Check Price | |
Premium Choice | ReptiChip Premium Coconut Reptile Substrate |
|
Check Price | |
Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate |
|
Check Price | ||
ReptiChip Premium Coconut Reptile Substrate |
|
Check Price |
The 7 Best Substrates for Crested Geckos
1. Zoo Med Eco Earth Compressed Coconut Fiber Substrate – Best Overall
The best overall substrate for crested geckos is the Zoo Med Eco Earth Compressed Coconut Fiber Substrate. This product is made from coconut fiber, also known as coco coir, which comes from the husks of coconuts. Coconut fiber is eco-friendly and is a renewable resource, making this an excellent pick for an earth-friendly product. This substrate is available in compressed blocks in packs of 3 and can also be purchased in a 4-pack of 3-count blocks. Each block equals approximately 7-8 liters, which is enough to fill a 10-gallon tank to around 1 inch of depth.
This substrate can absorb large quantities of liquid and stays damp while remaining airy and breathable. It naturally eliminates odors and can be composted. The biggest downside of this product is that it can be difficult to break up the compressed blocks into the soft, fluffy substrate you’ll need for your gecko’s tank.
2. Zilla Terrarium Liner Substrate – Best Value
The best substrate for crested geckos for the money is the Zilla Terrarium Liner Substrate. This product is a mat that can be cut to fit most tank sizes. It’s available in four sizes for 10-gallon tanks, 29-gallon tanks, 30-gallon tanks, and 40/50-gallon tanks.
This product isn’t the least expensive product on the list, but it is the best value because it’s reusable for years, allowing it to pay for itself within a couple of months of use. It has a natural texture but isn’t rough, so it won’t injure your crested gecko’s tender feet or belly. This mat is treated with a biodegradable enzyme to help reduce odors. One of the best benefits of this type of substrate is that it can’t accidentally be ingested by your crested gecko. To clean, this mat just needs to be rinsed with cold water.
The only major downside to this substrate is that it doesn’t hold moisture like other substrates can, so it will likely do little for the humidity levels in your gecko’s tank. This also means that it won’t absorb much in the way of waste or spills.
3. ReptiChip Premium Coconut Reptile Substrate – Premium Choice
The ReptiChip Premium Coconut Reptile Substrate is the best premium pick for substrate for your crested gecko. This substrate is made from coconut husk chips, making it sustainable and eco-friendly. This product is available in a 72-quart, or 10-pound, compressed brick of coco chips. It can be purchased in a 1-pack, 3-pack, 5-pack, or 10-pack. This substrate helps retain moisture and is ideal for humidity loving reptiles like crested geckos. It naturally helps control odors and does a great job of absorbing liquids and maintaining humidity. Once dampened, this substrate is nice and soft, so it shouldn’t irritate your gecko’s skin.
Dust can be an issue with this substrate, but once it is dampened this shouldn’t continue to be an issue.
4. Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate
The Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate is a great alternative to the Zoo Med compressed coconut fiber bricks. It’s available in an 8-quart bag and a 24-quart bag. Like the compressed version, this product is made from renewable coconut fiber and is eco-friendly.
This substrate holds moisture well, making it a good option for maintaining humidity and absorbing waste and spills. Since it isn’t compressed, it doesn’t require being manually broken apart before use. It naturally helps reduce odors and is soft for your gecko’s sensitive skin. This substrate can be composted or recycled.
It might be slightly more difficult to clean than the compressed version since it is finely milled and may stick to the enclosure if allowed to get too damp. It also may produce dust due to the fine texture of the product.
5. ReptiChip Premium Coconut Reptile Substrate
The ReptiChip Premium Coconut Reptile Substrate is available in 8-quart compressed bricks and can be purchased in a 1-pack and a 3-pack. It’s eco-friendly and renewable. One 8-quart brick should cover a 10-gallon tank around 1 inch deep.
This substrate does a good job of maintaining humidity, absorbing moisture, and controlling odors. It can also be used to incubate eggs and as potting soil for plants. It’s soft and safe for burrowing and digging and it shouldn’t irritate your gecko’s skin.
It can be difficult to break up out of the blocks and does need to be soaked prior to use, sometimes even for a couple of days. Even with soaking, further manual deconstruction of the bricks may be necessary.
6. Critters Comfort Coconut Reptile Organic Substrate
The Critters Comfort Coconut Reptile Organic Substrate is a good choice for larger tanks. It comes in a 21-quart bag, but it is only available in the one bag and pack size. This bag should be able to fill a 40-gallon tank around 1 inch deep. This substrate is made from very fine coco coir, making it eco-friendly and renewable and is manufactured with a small carbon footprint.
This substrate is great for odor control and is made to produce little dust and be and fragrance free. It’s resistant to mold and mildew. It’s able to absorb up to four times its weight in liquid, making it great for moisture and humidity control. This substrate is compostable and can be used for plants as well. It’s finely textured, making it a nice option for sensitive crested geckos.
It clumps together, making it easy to clean but also making it susceptible to sticking to the enclosure. It’s also not completely dust free, so it may need time to settle before putting your crested gecko back in the tank.
7. SunGrow Coco Fiber Mat for Pets
The SunGrow Coco Fiber Mat for Pets is a nice pick to make changing your crested gecko’s substrate out as easy as unrolling a mat. This mat is ½ inch thick and measures 13 inches by 10 inches. It’s made from firm coco coir, so it’s eco-friendly and renewable, as well as reusable.
This substrate mat is made to pull moisture through, so it doesn’t pool on top of the mat. It can help improve humidity retention in the tank without being too wet for your crested gecko. Since it’s a solid mat, your gecko won’t be able to accidentally ingest any of it. When soiled, this mat can be rinsed and is reusable for months.
This mat is shipped folded up and due to its stiff texture, it may be difficult to get it to flatten back out without weighing the edges down. The texture may also bother your gecko’s skin, so you’ll need to keep an eye on this. You may need to purchase more than one mat for larger enclosures.
Buyer’s Guide
Conclusion
For your crested gecko, you want the best substrate! You have lots of options to try to find a product that your crested gecko enjoys and that is easy for you to manage. The best overall option is the Zoo Med Eco Earth Compressed Coconut Fiber Substrate because of its eco-friendliness, functionality, ease of storage, and ease of cleaning. The best value product is the Zilla Terrarium Substrate Liner, which will quickly pay for itself in a matter of weeks or months. The premium product pick is the ReptiChip Premium Coconut Reptile Substrate because it’s highly functional and easy to take care of, but it is at a premium price.
These reviews are intended to help you navigate through the different types of substrate options you have available. In the end, it will come down to the product that you and your gecko can both equally appreciate. You want a hygienic product that’s easy to clean and resists mold and mildew while maintaining the necessary humidity for your crested gecko’s needs.
Featured Image Credit: Kefca Shutterstock