I have been looking for a good substrate for my Water Dragon and Bearded Dragon (one that looks natural). So I was thinking a fake rock floor made out of foam and grout, sealed with silicone. Maybe for the bd, some course sand pressed into the silicone and some eco-earth or something for the wd. So what do you guys think? Would it work, and would it reduce the risk of impaction. Please, any tips or ideas would be great If I do it I will document the whole thing with pics and a step by step guide and post it on the site.

It would be easier to just get flat slate pieces or tile and use that. It's easier to install, easier to clean, and still looks natural. If you get tile, try to get some that has texture to it so the animals have something to grip as they are walking on it.

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what shell said. But with the water dragon, you might have a problem keeping the humidity up, so I would suggest tile with a few live potted plants.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

thanks for the ideas but i am not looking for easy I am looking for a fun project that I can make look really cool cause I love building things and I figure that I could spit it in to sections and mold small flower pots into the for plants what I really want to know is would it be good for my lizards and not harmful to them i have a forty gallon tank for the wd and a 40 breeder for the bd but thanks for the cleaning tip i will have to think of a way to make it easier to clean the main thing I amthe health of my lizards

I hate to say it but you might not want to put that much effort into the 40 for the WD, it will most likely grow out of that size tank very quickly. I would suggest starting with the BD tank first and see how it turns out. If it turns out to be a major hassle then try something simpler with the WD until you get a permanent enclosure.

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Just keep in mind that the more extravagent you get with decor,...the more difficult it will be to clean and service. If maintaining the enclosure is too much of a chore to may cease to be a pleasureable pursuit and get neglected.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

so what size do i need for a full grown wd cause i was thinking of building one but i was just going to make a real nice looking 40 gal cause thats what they told me i needed at pet store but if I need bigger I have room for 3.5x3.5feet and maybe 4feet tall but that would be as big as I could go would that be good cause if it is that will be my summer project and I will start the floor for the bd next week

check out our Chinese Water Dragon care sheet. General dimentions are 2 x 4 x 6 for a full grown one.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

thanks thats what I will build this summer then but I am set on trying this floor idea do you think it will work i plan to do it in sections and make it removable so it will be easy to clean here what I plan to do cut styrofoam sheet to fit in tank use left over foam and maybe some geat stuff foam and coat it with grout that where I am so far with my plans any more sugestions

The tile grout will get very hard--which is good. However make sure to smooth out any sharp edges that might be sticking up. You don't want to cause any lacerations. Also about the impaction thing. What a lot of people don't realize is that impaction usually begins in a reptile that is not properly hydrated. The intestines lose their elasticity and can't pass foreign objects properly.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa