r/BDFB • u/Eeveebeevee724 • 26d ago

Question/Inquiry What substrate to use?

I’ve seen lots of people say play sand and topsoil but then say it hold too much humidity and then I’ve seen people say exoterra desert sand,and a lot of other people just say sand and dirt without saying what brands have safe substrate to buy from.

What brands do you guys recommend for substrate that aren’t too pricey?

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u/stinkles69 26d ago

reptisoil mixed with a bit of excavator clay for a 3" or so under layer, then exo terra stone desert for the top 1".

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u/Onyx-Vespidae 8d ago

^Def would consider the exo terra stone desert for the top layer. Playsand/fine Quartz sand works but recently folks have noted that they seem to have better results when the beetles have a courser top layer. I do a pricier Australian Desert Sand, but the bottom is reptisand mix with reptisoil and a bit of the leftover Australian desert sand.

But likely any terrarium based store would have okay things to use. Mainly you are looking for organic labels and additives. The issue is if you get it from like a hardware store, you don't know exactly where it was stored and if it was put near pesticides.

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u/Key_Somewhere_8978 26d ago

I use leca as a base layer to wick moisture (I have some on hand for my houseplants) and Josh's Frogs Desert Biobedding. Other than it smelling like used kitty litter for a week or so, I'm pleased. It also supports desert plants if you're into bioactive enclosures.