Amy and Merlin: It doesn't become that hard to the point you would need to break it, it's not 100% clay... users are advised to moist it once or twice a week to keep it hard.
It's kind of confusing but if it totally dries out, it becomes loose. A little humidity in the top part will bond the small particles together and seal it shut.
Anyway, this is my first experience with it so I will answer some of your doubts as they become clear to me =)

As for reaching him, that's one of the reasons why I've chose such a huge diameter. I can safely couch him out if I need. In an emergency, I can just pull it apart because the layer of substrate is shallow.

The defecatorium is one of the things that is worrying me. Although the top layer will be compact, it won't prevent some moist from being absorbed.
Instructions in the package advise the user to change the substrate every 12 months for small reptiles (and 6 for large) for these same reasons. They also advise the user to remove fecal matter on every chance, to prevent it from mixing with the substrate when it dries and to contaminate it when you mist it.
I can remove small portions of that area as it becomes more used but I guess I will have to see how that goes...

I think some other brands offer a similar product, but again, I'm not aware of european brands penetration in the US market. Maybe you can contact Namiba Terra directly and ask for availability.

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Wish list: Blue Tongue Skinks and Uruplatus =)

Ricardo, what if you put a piece of repti carpet in teh corner and trained him to potty on it,,that would solve the problem eh?

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

How can I train him to potty on it? I've tried that several times with all of them and they poop where they choose =)
I can act after that and try to insulate that area.

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Wish list: Blue Tongue Skinks and Uruplatus =)

Here are some more photos to help you get a better idea of it. Can't get better ones now because it's dark and raining =(
These are side views, this is the log side:


and this is the other:

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Wish list: Blue Tongue Skinks and Uruplatus =)

I'm not sure how to go about it, but I know its possible, lol. Mine go in the same spot everytime. Try starting with paper towel, when they do the doodie (I said doodie ), move the same paper towel to a specific spot in the tank where you want them to go at all times...maybe they will catch on..Its worth a shot

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Ricardo, neat little project!
I've always been weary on naturalistic enclosures for arid species as there isn't much activity in the substrate. 12 months seems like a long time if they say that the droppings will contaminate the soil. Maybe if you did a bottom layer of hummus and a corner of the enclosure with some hummus you could get some activity to help break down the droppings.

Marsha, tried that several times and it never work except for a time my first female started pooping on the top of her favorite hide. I guess they have to do it their way... kind of leopard gecko feng shui =)

Cody, I will remove the droppings as I do now. My toilet breaks them down much better than any substrate
If it starts getting nasty like Merlin pictured it, either I replace the substrate every x months or I return to my trusty shelf liner.
Either way I need to watch them closely to monitor substrate ingestion, the ultimate experience regulator.

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Wish list: Blue Tongue Skinks and Uruplatus =)

Fung shui, LOL...Keep us posted, I hope it works out for you.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Ok, I just contacted the company to see if it is available in the United States. If it is available I'll pass along the info.

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Colleen

Thanks colleen

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