Best Terrarium Substrate of 2025

“I purchased this for my leopard geckos to create a soil/sand mixture, and it works great! It's nice and dry for them and easy to clean. They can dig, and it stays patted down.”

“I used this for my frogs, and it really helps with humidity while keeping the plants moist. My tanks look fantastic after using this substrate!”

“I love this product for my tarantulas. It's a solid substrate, although I find it a bit expensive for the quantity. I've never encountered any thorns or mites in my bag, which is a plus!”

"This is the perfect midsize rock for my drainage in my vivarium. I should have ordered two bags instead of one. It was pretty dusty, so I had to rinse it, but I love the cool texture and affordable price!"

"I got this for my small mourning gecko setup. It arrived dirty, so I washed it right away, but it seems to be doing its job well in my tank!"

"I used these to create a water table for my crested gecko tank. The humidity stays nicely in the 70-80 range with daily misting, and I haven't seen any mold growth. My crestie is happy and healthy!"

"I was surprised by the strong odor when I opened the bags, but it cleared up fairly quickly. I’ll definitely be buying more soon."

"I had heard about the pungent smell, and it’s absolutely true. It’s a rubbery chemical odor, and it’s bothering my eyes. I hope it will pass soon."

"This substrate is a great loose, lofty material. It's perfect for a bioactive enclosure and holds moisture well. I think it will really benefit my reptiles!"

"I recently upgraded my bearded dragon's habitat and introducing this sand substrate has been a game-changer! The quality is superb—finely ground and sifted for a soft surface. I was worried about impaction, but it's safe for my pet. He loves it, burrowing and exploring with delight. This sand also makes maintenance a breeze and adds a beautiful aesthetic to his enclosure. I'm thrilled with this choice!"

"Loki loves kicking up the sand! I appreciate the color, and it helps with odor control as it dries out waste effectively. The amount in the bag surprised me; it went a lot further than I expected. The quality is great, and while it's a bit on the pricier side, you don’t need to change it out often."

"I was anxious about possible impaction, but my bearded dragon is much happier with this substrate. It looks beautiful in his tank and retains heat, making him prefer sleeping on the sand instead of his perches. Although it's not the cheapest option, the ease of cleaning and the benefits far outweigh the cost."

“I think the Exo Terra Coco Husk substrate is an excellent choice for my reptiles. Its moisture retention is fantastic for species needing high humidity, and it promotes natural behaviors like digging. Plus, it's easy to clean and provides a healthy environment for my pets.”

“I appreciate the great value I get with this substrate. It's simple to set up—just add water! I recommend adding it to a container first before using water.”

“As a plant enthusiast, I’ve transitioned to using coco husk instead of orchid bark. It's lightweight and easy to shred, creating a perfect mix for my Hoyas. The bag was filled to the top, offering long-lasting value with no unpleasant smell.”

"I bought the substrate and ABG mix, followed the instructions, and my two female American toads are thriving. One of them eats a lot of crickets and looks quite round! I plan to order again and might consider the subscribe and save option."

"The product was well mixed before packaging, so I didn’t need to transfer it to a larger container. There were no clumps or foreign materials, making it easy to add to the tank."

"I found the perfect amount for my project! The quality is very nice!"

"I use this substrate for my plants to root; it works every time!"

"I purchased this for my dart frogs. It helps with drainage and looks great when combined with leaf litter."

"I found this product to be sturdy and easy to work with. It really works as advertised!"

"As a first-time reptile owner, I wanted to ensure I set up my crusty correctly. After researching, I chose this layer technique. I was able to cut the mesh to size, and while I had some extra, it wasn't enough for another use. It's doing a great job of holding the dirt and letting excess moisture be absorbed by the clay Leca balls."

"This barrier performs exceptionally well. It was even larger than I anticipated, effectively holding the substrate while filtering water effortlessly."

"These products work great and are much cheaper than competitors. I'll definitely continue to use them for my reptile builds."

"I found that the bag was fairly small, but it filled the space I needed it to. The quality is excellent, with less dust than typical clay balls. It just smells like clay, nothing too crazy, lol."

"I really underestimated how much of these hydro balls I would need for a proper drainage layer. However, this was a good budget option. One bag combined with another was enough for my 18x18x24 enclosure, and I like the size variety!"

"I found the packaging fantastic and the product smelled great. I bought it to cover the bottom of my 125-gallon long aquarium for a new ball python. It worked perfectly! While it takes some time to break up and spread, the quality is impressive. I might purchase another set soon for a deeper substrate, but it sufficiently covered the entire cage without any issues."

"This coconut fiber substrate is just perfect for my hermit crabs. They love to dig in it, and I highly recommend it to others. The product was exactly as described!"

"I used this coconut fiber for my mice, and they took to it instantly. If you're planning to use it for rodents, make sure to drain as much water as possible and let it dry out first. I learned that it can mold if it's too wet. I'll definitely buy it again when I need more!"