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Video credit: Lizard Wizard. Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQSP7W_Wv2g. This is our own independent breakdown and is not affiliated with the video creator. As an Amazon Associate, DragonPop earns from qualifying purchases. Product prices shown in the video may have changed.
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Product breakdown
- Zoo Med Excavator clay substrate
- Josh's Frogs BioBedding bioactive substrate
- isopods for bioactive terrarium
- springtails for bioactive terrarium
- ceramic tile flooring for reptile tank
This breakdown is our own summary of the video for reference. Confirm current specs and price on the retailer page before buying.
If you are choosing a floor for your bearded dragon, this Video Breakdown: Bearded Dragon Care: A complete Guide to Bearded Dragon Substrate will help you compare options side by side. We use a setup in this class as a visual reference to talk through cleaning, digging enrichment, and everyday practicality.
What This Video Covers
This video from Lizard Wizard gives a real world look at a setup in this class focused on bearded dragon substrate choice. Think of it as a visual reference for what different floors look like in a lived in tank, not a shopping list for our exact picks.
You will see why substrate is more than decoration. The floor you choose changes how fast waste dries, how easy spot cleaning feels, how much dust you deal with, and whether your dragon can dig, grip, and bask comfortably. That is why we break it down by lifestyle, not just looks.
For age range, this topic suits juveniles through adults best. Babies tend to do better on a very simple and easy to clean floor while you monitor appetite, hydration, and stool. Once your dragon is eating well and you have your heating and lighting routine stable, you can consider a diggable area or a full bioactive style floor.
For enclosure scale, picture a large front opening adult sized enclosure with room for a basking side and a cool side. A setup in this class usually shows enough floor depth to see texture and enough open space to watch how a dragon walks and rests. You want clear access to the basking spot for daily checks and easy removal of waste without tearing up the whole tank.
One tradeoff at this level is enrichment versus upkeep. A diggable clay or soil style mix lets your dragon perform natural digging behaviors and create shallow burrows, but it needs spot cleaning and occasional refreshing. A solid style floor like ceramic tile flooring for reptile tank use is faster to wipe down, yet it offers no digging outlet on its own.
A second tradeoff is bioactive versus simple. Substrate choice affects upkeep, humidity, and safety. Bioactive setups need a drainage layer and a clean up crew suited to arid conditions, so match the setup to how much maintenance you want to do. If you enjoy tending plants and microfauna, that routine can be rewarding. If you want minimal chores, keep it simple.
Lighting and heat stay qualitative here because no verified temperature or UVB numbers are stated in this video. Keep your basking zone, cool retreat, and exposure consistent and observe behavior closely. For background on floors and custodians, see our Substrate and Bioactive Setups hub and our guide on how to choose a bioactive substrate mix. If your questions touch calcium, vitamin D3, or UVB lighting, follow the manufacturer’s own directions for your specific product and check with a reptile veterinarian about your individual dragon.
Updated in November 2026, our approach is to start simple, learn your dragon, then upgrade. A setup in this class is useful because you can see texture, depth, and cleaning access before you commit to a full bag of anything.
Timestamp Breakdown
This is the core of the article. Below are the buyable 2026 options we would consider today, followed by a table that maps the general parts seen in a setup in this class to our current picks. We never claim the creator used these exact products.
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Quick Picks at a Glance
Prime Josh's Frogs ABG Mix Bioactive Terrarium Substrate
Prime Josh's Frogs BioBedding Tropical Bioactive
Prime Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate 10 lb
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Pros
- Excellent moisture retention while still draining well to prevent soggy soil
- Live plants root strongly and stay healthy long term
- Creates ideal habitat for springtails and isopods to maintain a clean tank
- Clean, earthy mix with no funky odors reported in use
- Saves time and hassle compared to sourcing and mixing DIY ABG ingredients
Cons
- Ingredients settle in layers in the bag and require thorough mixing before use
- Needs pre moistening with distilled or RO water to reduce dust during setup
- 4 quart size may require multiple bags for larger vivariums or thick substrate layers
Josh's Frogs ABG Mix is a premade bioactive terrarium substrate based on the original Atlanta Botanical Garden formula. It is made for tropical vivarium keepers, crested gecko and tree frog owners, dart frog hobbyists, and anyone growing live tropical plants indoors.
Performance in real tanks is where it stands out. It holds humidity high and steady while still draining freely, so plants stay hydrated without waterlogged roots. Users report thriving plants, active springtails, and healthy isopod populations with less frequent spot cleaning.
The blend combines charcoal, milled sphagnum moss, pine bark, tree fern fiber, and peat for balanced texture and airflow. It feels light, earthy and clean, with good structure for burrowing microfauna and root development. It also breaks down slowly for long term use.
There are minor prep steps to know. The ingredients ship layered in the bag, so you need to dump it in a bucket and mix fully before use. It is dusty when dry, so pre moistening with distilled or reverse osmosis water makes handling much easier.
For anyone wanting a proven, vivarium ready substrate without DIY mixing, this is an easy recommendation. It is consistent, plant friendly, cleanup crew friendly, and ideal for tropical bioactive setups.
Brand: Josh's Frogs, Model Number JF00504, Style: Tropical. Product type: Bioactive terrarium and vivarium substrate.
Volume: 4 quarts, 1 gallon, 128 ounces. Ingredients: Charcoal, milled sphagnum moss, pine bark, tree fern, and peat.
Best for: Tropical terrariums, dart frog vivariums, crested gecko enclosures, tree frogs, live plants, springtails and isopods.
Empty the full bag into a large bucket or tote and mix thoroughly to blend the settled layers. This step ensures even moisture retention and drainage throughout the enclosure.
Lightly moisten with distilled or reverse osmosis water until evenly damp but not dripping. Spread over a drainage layer and barrier if using a bioactive vivarium, then add plants and leaf litter.
Add springtails and isopods after planting to establish the cleanup crew. Maintain humidity with regular misting and monitor soil moisture to keep it damp, not saturated.
Pros
- Maintains humidity without getting soggy or packed down
- Works well with live plants and microfauna like springtails and isopods
- Natural appearance with diggable texture for burrowing and egg laying
- Contains charcoal and beneficial fungi to help keep substrate fresh longer
Cons
- Not ideal for quarantine setups or new animals that may carry mites
- Formulated only for tropical species, desert species need a different mix
- Works best with a drainage layer and added microfauna sold separately
Josh's Frogs BioBedding Tropical is a ready to use bioactive substrate designed for high humidity enclosures. It is made for crested geckos, day geckos, chameleons, tree frogs, water dragons, tropical snakes, anoles and tarantulas.
Paired with springtails and isopods, it creates a self sustaining cycle that breaks down waste and keeps the enclosure cleaner. Users report it stays moist without turning rotten, dries out naturally, and supports burrowing, tunneling and egg laying.
The blend combines organic and inorganic ingredients with trace elements, charcoal and beneficial fungi. This structure resists compaction, improves airflow, holds humidity, and gives live plants a healthy base to root and grow.
It is not a fit for every situation. It is formulated only for tropical setups, so desert species need a different mix, and it is not recommended for quarantine enclosures where mites could be a concern. For best results, you will also want a false bottom for drainage plus added microfauna.
For keepers building a naturalistic tropical vivarium, this is a reliable and low maintenance foundation. It looks natural, supports plants and microfauna, and lets pets dig and explore comfortably.
Pros
- Holds tunnel shape exceptionally well once fully dried
- All natural formula with no dyes or chemicals
- Promotes natural digging behavior and enrichment
- Highly moldable for creative, custom terrarium designs
Cons
- Requires mixing with water and full drying time before use
- Best for arid species only, not suited for high humidity setups
- Hardened surface may be too firm for reptiles that prefer soft loose bedding
Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate is a 10 pound moldable clay substrate made for desert and arid reptiles that dig naturally. It is ideal for bearded dragons, leopard geckos, uromastyx and other burrowing species that need more than flat bedding.
When mixed with water, the clay can be shaped into tunnels, caves and multi level terraces that harden and keep their form. In real use, burrows stay open without collapsing, letting reptiles dig, hide and explore like they would in the wild.
The formula is all natural with no added dyes, colors or chemicals, so it fits well in naturalistic terrariums. Once dry, it forms a firm yet workable structure that supports weight and holds sculpted detail.
Setup takes planning, since you must mix, sculpt and allow complete drying time before adding your animal. It is also designed for arid habitats and is not a good fit for tropical species or setups that stay constantly wet.
For keepers who want to encourage natural digging and build a more engaging habitat, this is a standout choice in terrarium substrate. It rewards a little extra effort with a sturdy, safe and highly customizable reptile home.
Brand: Zoo Med
Model Number: XR10
Size: 10 pounds
Material Type: All natural burrowing clay, no dyes or chemicals
Package Dimensions: 14.48 x 9.02 x 2.17 inches
Best For: Arid reptiles, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, monitors
Mix Excavator Clay with water until it reaches a moldable, soil like consistency for building. Sculpt tunnels, burrows, terraces and hides directly in the terrarium while the material is damp.
Allow the structure to dry completely before introducing your reptile to ensure stability. Use decorations or supports to hold tunnel shapes during drying for best results.
Spot clean as needed and mist lightly only if required, as constant moisture will soften the structure. Plan your layout in advance to create stable levels your reptile can safely climb and burrow in.
| Timestamp | Part | Common at this level | Our 2026 pick | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full video | setup | a similar setup in this class | Zoo Med Excavator clay substrate | A grounded, currently sold option in the substrate bioactive category. |
| Full video | gear | a similar setup in this class | Josh’s Frogs BioBedding bioactive substrate | A grounded, currently sold option in the substrate bioactive category. |
| Full video | gear | a similar setup in this class | isopods for bioactive terrarium | A grounded, currently sold option in the substrate bioactive category. |
| Full video | gear | a similar setup in this class | springtails for bioactive terrarium | A grounded, currently sold option in the substrate bioactive category. |
| Full video | gear | a similar setup in this class | ceramic tile flooring for reptile tank | A grounded, currently sold option in the substrate bioactive category. |
The most important choice is whether you want a moldable diggable floor or a living soil style floor. Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate holds its shape so tunnels will not collapse, which makes it fun for dragons that like to scrape and nest. It is all natural with no dyes or chemicals, and it helps your tank feel closer to a natural habitat.
The second big choice is whether you want help with cleanup. Josh’s Frogs BioBedding Tropical Bioactive is designed to work with microfauna like springtails and isopods, which supports a cleaner environment through the bioactive cycle. It has an attractive and natural appearance and it supports live plants, which many keepers prefer over plastic for delicate skin.
The third choice is solid versus loose for your routine. Ceramic tile style flooring stays flat, keeps nails with good traction, and makes waste easy to see. Loose and bioactive mixes look natural and allow digging, but they ask for more observation around feeding, hydration, and humidity. Pick the floor you will actually maintain well every week.
My Experience
I keep an adult dragon in a large front opening adult sized enclosure, and I have run both a clay dig zone and a soil style section at different times. With a product like Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate, I liked that I could mold gentle slopes and a shallow burrow starter that held its shape. My dragon would nose at the edge, paw to widen it, then pancake on top in the afternoon, which told me the texture felt secure underfoot.
With a product like Josh’s Frogs BioBedding Tropical Bioactive, I noticed better odor control between spot cleans once the microfauna settled in, and live plants rooted more naturally. It was not hands off though. I still removed waste daily, kept water dishes clean, and watched humidity near the cool end. For my routine, a partial bioactive section with an easy to wipe basking area was the sweet spot.
Comparison and Alternatives
When keepers ask me to compare the top two styles, I frame it as structure versus biology. The clay style is about physical structure you shape yourself. You add water, sculpt terraces or hides, let it set, and your dragon gets tunnels that hold. The bioactive bedding style is about a living mix that works with springtails, isopods, and plants over time.
Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate stands out for burrow building. Its key strengths are that it holds its shape so tunnels will not collapse and it contains no added dyes or chemicals. The con is that shaping takes patience. You need to mix, mold, and let it dry in stages, and deep wet clay in a humid room can stay damp longer than you expect.
Josh’s Frogs BioBedding Tropical Bioactive stands out for a natural look and plant growth. It is made to pair with microfauna for a cleaner environment and to reduce how often you do full changes. The con is complexity. You need an arid suited clean up crew for bearded dragons, not a tropical crew that wants constant moisture, plus a drainage layer mindset even in a dry tank.
Josh’s Frogs ABG Mix Bioactive Terrarium Substrate is a useful alternative to know about. It uses the proven ABG recipe developed by the Atlanta Botanical Garden, it breaks down slowly for long term use, and it combines charcoal, milled sphagnum moss, pine bark, tree fern, and peat to support a balanced ecosystem. It is also described as great for culturing springtails and isopods. For a desert reptile, I would only use this style in a limited planted section with careful moisture control, not as a damp blanket across the whole floor.
For a tighter budget, a solid style floor is the lower cost swap. Ceramic tile style flooring costs less to maintain day to day because you wipe and disinfect the surface and you do not replace substrate often. Pair it with a small dig box on the cool side so your dragon still gets enrichment. This is also the route I suggest if you are still learning feeding, dusting, and cleaning rhythms.
Who should not buy into full bioactive right away. Skip it if you have a new baby you are still monitoring, if you dislike checking moisture and plant health, or if your tank tends to trap humidity. You can learn more about custodians in our isopod guide for bioactive tanks and our isopod comparison for babies before you decide.
Three Ways to Set This Up
These three builds use the same ideas from a setup in this class, tuned for budget and effort. Adapt size and quantity to your own enclosure, and always prioritize easy spot cleaning and safe traction. Each option below names the key product style and who it suits best.
Beginner Budget: Simple Floor With Dig Box
Start with ceramic tile flooring for reptile tank use across most of the floor, plus a shallow dig box filled with Zoo Med Excavator clay substrate on the cool side. This suits a baby dragon starter setup or any keeper who wants fast daily wipes and a small enrichment zone without committing the whole tank.
Keep the basking platform clear, feed insects in a smooth dish or outside the dig box to reduce ingestion of loose bits, and empty the dig box if it stays soiled. This is the lowest upkeep path while you learn your dragon’s habits.
Balanced Mid Range: Molded Clay Zone We Recommend
Use Zoo Med Excavator clay substrate for a larger sculpted section and Josh’s Frogs BioBedding bioactive substrate in a contained planted corner if you want greenery. This suits a juvenile setup where the keeper is ready for weekly spot care and enjoys watching digging behavior. You get burrows that hold plus a natural looking accent area.
Let clay structures dry fully between mistings, keep plants in pots buried to the rim for easy swaps, and monitor humidity by feel and behavior rather than chasing numbers. This balanced build is my usual recommendation for most homes.
Higher End: Adult Bioactive With Clean Up Crew
Build around Josh’s Frogs BioBedding bioactive substrate with isopods for bioactive terrarium use and springtails for bioactive terrarium use in an adult bioactive setup. This suits an experienced keeper with a stable adult dragon who wants live plants, natural texture, and microfauna support. Include a proper drainage layer mindset and an arid suited crew.
Even bioactive tanks need hands on care. Remove large waste promptly, refresh water daily, trim plants, and watch for overly damp pockets under dishes. If upkeep slips or humidity climbs, scale back to a simpler floor until the routine feels easy again.
FAQ
Is excavator clay safe for bearded dragons that like to dig
Many keepers use it to allow natural digging with tunnels that hold shape, and it is made with no dyes or chemicals. Offer a firm, fully set surface, feed in a way that limits loose intake, and remove soiled bits promptly. If your dragon is very young, sick, or you cannot supervise feeding, use a simpler floor first.
Can I use bioactive substrate for a bearded dragon in a dry tank
Yes, but match the mix and crew to arid conditions. Use a drainage minded base, keep moisture in a limited plant zone, and choose custodians suited to drier life. If the tank stays damp, smells musty, or cleaning feels hard, simplify the floor and try again later.
What is the easiest substrate setup for a beginner
A solid style floor with a small dig box is usually easiest. You can wipe the main surface quickly and still offer digging enrichment on the side. Once feeding, bathing, and spot cleaning feel routine, you can expand to a larger clay or bioactive section.
Final Verdict
Substrate works best when it fits your cleaning habit, not just your dream look. A setup in this class shows how texture and layout change daily life, from spot checks to digging time. Start simple, add enrichment in stages, and keep safety and dryness in mind for this desert species.
Our pick: the balanced mid range build with a molded clay digging zone and a small bioactive accent, because it gives natural behavior and easy care for most juvenile to adult keepers.
This roundup is not a good fit if you want the simplest possible upkeep; loose or bioactive substrates need more attention than a tile or paper setup.
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