{"product_id":"arid-substrate-mix","title":"Arid Substrate Mix","description":"\u003cp\u003eGive desert reptiles a real outback floor. Our Arid Substrate Mix is a sand-based bioactive substrate blended in-house so it stays dry and warm on top, holds the burrows desert species love to dig, and still supports hardy plants and a dry-adapted clean-up crew.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBearded dragons, pygmy bearded dragons, knob-tailed geckos, Gillen's monitors and desert burrowing scorpions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's in our arid substrate mix\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe publish our ratios so you know exactly what your animal is living on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e75% Sand:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003egives structure and drainage, and helps burrows hold their shape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e15% Coco Coir:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eholds moisture, stays soft underfoot and gives plant roots an easy medium to grow through.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e15% Peat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eholds moisture and gives the mildly acidic soil that forest plants prefer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e10% Bark Bedding:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eadds structure and airflow, and slowly breaks down to feed isopods and springtails.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e5% Crushed LECA:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ekeeps the mix open and airy so it doesn't compact or go sour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e5% Horticultural Charcoal:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ekeeps the mix open and helps it stay fresh-smelling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptional toppings:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBark bedding, coconut fibre, spinifex branches, crushed dragon stone and maple leaf rocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBag size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e[add bag sizes, e.g. 5L \/ 10L \/ 20L]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to use it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLay it 8–10cm deep, or 15cm+ for burrowing geckos and scorpions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePack it down firmly so burrows hold their shape, then lightly moisten the bottom layer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep the surface dry and warm under the basking lamp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeed with dry-tolerant isopods such as powder blues for a bioactive arid setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSafe, tested and fertiliser-free\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvery batch is mixed from new or sanitised ingredients and contains no fertilisers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is the same mix we test and use in our own custom bioactive enclosures.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDon't let animals eat substrate. Feed from a dish or tongs, or cap feeding areas with sand or moss.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThese ratios are a broad guide. Research your species' needs and ask us if you're unsure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eArid substrate FAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the best substrate for a bearded dragon?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA firm sand-and-soil mix that holds digging and gives a natural basking surface. Our Arid mix is built for bearded dragons and other desert reptiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan bearded dragons have a bioactive enclosure?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Arid bioactive setups use a sand-based substrate, hardy plants and dry-tolerant clean-up crews like powder blue isopods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs sand safe for reptiles?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mixed substrate like this is widely used. Feed from a dish or with tongs so your animal doesn't swallow substrate with its food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePairs well with:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eCentral Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps), Powder Blue Isopods (Porcellionides pruinosus), Stainless Steel Sand Sieve, Bearded Dragon Enclosure Starter Kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlended in Surry Hills, Sydney, and shipped Australia-wide.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Biota Studio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52816664166631,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5014\/0903\/files\/Jeffries-Sandy-Soil.jpg?v=1792158027","url":"https:\/\/www.biotastudio.com.au\/products\/arid-substrate-mix","provider":"Biota Studio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}