Australian desert sand

Hobama

Hatchling Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Reginald/Reggie
I'm considering making part of reggies cage loose substrate/ a dig box. I'm not sure what I should use. I saw someone say you could use Australian desert sand, and im wondering. If thats true. Also, he's only been in sand once, and all he did was want to lick it, so is loose substrate maybe just not a good idea for him?
 

xp29

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Beardie name(s)
Ruby, Sinatra, Zsa Zsa
I'm considering making part of reggies cage loose substrate/ a dig box. I'm not sure what I should use. I saw someone say you could use Australian desert sand, and im wondering. If thats true. Also, he's only been in sand once, and all he did was want to lick it, so is loose substrate maybe just not a good idea for him?
I generally don't use loose until my dragons are older. They lick less.
 

Hobama

Hatchling Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Reginald/Reggie
I generally don't use loose until my dragons are older. They lick less.
He recently turned 2, so I think he's considered an adult now. It's been a few months since I tried so he may be different. If I were to try, would the Australian desert sand be good to use or would I need some thing else?
 

xp29

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Beardie name(s)
Ruby, Sinatra, Zsa Zsa
He recently turned 2, so I think he's considered an adult now. It's been a few months since I tried so he may be different. If I were to try, would the Australian desert sand be good to use or would I need some thing else?
I haven't used personally but some folks here have. Hopefully they chime in.
I generally use just good ole play sand from lowes. I mix it 50/50 with reptisoil. It tends to be really dusty though. You have to be careful with dust. It's hard on them and it coats the lights. It can reduce the amount of uvb that is put out if you don't keep it wiped clean.
I have no idea how dusty the Australian sand is.
 

Claudiusx

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
The "Australian Desert sand" is such a gimmick product. Not in the sense that it isn't what it says it is, but its name and marketing seem to imply that it's anything better than a $5 bag of play sand you can get a home depot, which it isn't.

If you want to use a loose substrate, get the 50lb bag at home depot for a fraction of the price and you'll likely be much happier. Of course, if money isn't an issue, feel free to get the desert sand. When it comes down to it, it's all just sand.

-Brandon
 

Hobama

Hatchling Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Reginald/Reggie
The "Australian Desert sand" is such a gimmick product. Not in the sense that it isn't what it says it is, but its name and marketing seem to imply that it's anything better than a $5 bag of play sand you can get a home depot, which it isn't.

If you want to use a loose substrate, get the 50lb bag at home depot for a fraction of the price and you'll likely be much happier. Of course, if money isn't an issue, feel free to get the desert sand. When it comes down to it, it's all just sand.

-Brandon
Ok thank you for saving me that money then lol. With play sand, everyone I see mixes it with soil. Is that something I'd need to do or is just straight play sand fine?
 

ChileanTaco

Gray-bearded Member
Beardie name(s)
Taco
Of course, if money isn't an issue, feel free to get the desert sand. When it comes down to it, it's all just sand.
I agree! Play sand is also functional.

I personally have access to free desert sand (just as I live in a city in the Atacama desert), and it looks beautiful. Buying it is much more expensive. Maybe you might want to use a thick layer of play sand, and top it with a bit of desert sand?

Regarding mixing with soil: It will get a different consistency (not that heavy bunch of sand but it then clumps differently), and planting real plants directly into it is easier.
 

Hobama

Hatchling Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Reginald/Reggie
I agree! Play sand is also functional.

I personally have access to free desert sand (just as I live in a city in the Atacama desert), and it looks beautiful. Buying it is much more expensive. Maybe you might want to use a thick layer of play sand, and top it with a bit of desert sand?

Regarding mixing with soil: It will get a different consistency (not that heavy bunch of sand but it then clumps differently), and planting real plants directly into it is easier.
Ohhh the soil being for real plants makes sense. The mixing sounds like a good idea, thank you, I'll be looking into both!
 

xp29

BD.org Sicko
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Beardie name(s)
Ruby, Sinatra, Zsa Zsa
Ohhh the soil being for real plants makes sense. The mixing sounds like a good idea, thank you, I'll be looking into both!
Don't just grab top soil from your local supply store. Everything I've seen at lowes, home depot, ect have cow manure, chicken manure or both mixed in. There is no way I'd put a beardie on that, to much risk for diease.
 

ChileanTaco

Gray-bearded Member
Beardie name(s)
Taco
@xp29
I absolutely agree! (I'd never use or would recommend to use this kind.)

A way to avoid animal manure is to look for potting soil branded as being vegan - that avoids all kind of animal things. (Cannot recommend brand, I'm not in your country.) Also, you can compost your own from plants (kitchen scraps).
 

Hobama

Hatchling Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Reginald/Reggie
So just to be clear, if I buy play sand, how do I introduce it to his encloser? Does it need water, or to be misted sometimes? How often should I clean/change it?
 

xp29

BD.org Sicko
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Ruby, Sinatra, Zsa Zsa
So just to be clear, if I buy play sand, how do I introduce it to his encloser? Does it need water, or to be misted sometimes? How often should I clean/change it?
Play sand is washed and usually still wet when you buy it. I usually let it dry in a tote for a day or two before using it. And yes misting occasionally helps with the dust.
 

Hobama

Hatchling Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Reginald/Reggie
Is this product safe to use as substrate?
 

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