Dirt as substrate.

[Web Bacon]

I have been using coconut fibers for my substrate, but have been wondering if it would be alright to use dirt and have live plants growing in the tank.

[infernalis]

Yes of course you can use soil, do not bake it, do not sterilize it, in fact get some grass and rake up leaves for bio activity, a bio active enclosure is self cleaning, the organisms in the soil will eat the snake poop literally overnight.

[Myssi24]

Can one use belly heat if you use dirt as a substrate?

[infernalis]

Under tank heaters are not only unnecessary, but ineffective when a layer of soil is present. But garter snakes don't need belly heat, put a small wattage basking lamp on one end and copy nature.

[guidofatherof5]

I see nothing wrong with belly heat when it is controlled by a rheostat. It certainly reduces a much used escape route when compared to a hanging light. Any heat source has its risks. I don't think garter care whether the heat comes from the bottom or top.

[Albert Clark]

I use a rack with back heat which is also acceptable for garters. As long as it's positioned in a place with naural or artificial lighting.

[Albert Clark]

Under tank heaters are not only unnecessary, but ineffective when a layer of soil is present. But garter snakes don't need belly heat, put a small wattage basking lamp on one end and copy nature.

Garters can and do benefit from uth's that have thinned layers of substrate above them. A thin layer of substrate over a regulated uth (thermostat or rheostat) will aid in digestion and thermoregulation. Without it, they can thrive but with it, it's a added plus.

[Qwerty3159]

I prefer lamps simply because I would need a light and a heat source for the snake, so I just kill two birds with one stone and use a lamp.

[Albert Clark]

That's fine, but just monitor your humidity bc lamps have a tendency to dry out the circulating air.

[Web Bacon]

Yes of course you can use soil, do not bake it, do not sterilize it, in fact get some grass and rake up leaves for bio activity, a bio active enclosure is self cleaning, the organisms in the soil will eat the snake poop literally overnight.

Thanks. I used to breed anoles and set there enclosure up like that, live plants and all, but recently I read that one should never do that with snakes due to the accumulation of too much waste causing bad bactiria to grow. I am going to change the enclosure then.
A couple other questions then; do I use the under tank heating pad, and should I proved a water bowl or lets it 'rain' everyday?