bark or soil for my beardie

[thorthebeardie]

hey guys i got a question im using a calcium sand for my beadies tANK

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752700

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752663

are any of those better than the calcium sand if so witch of those is best to use? :shock:

 

[WAFisherman]

None of the above. Stick with news paper, paper towels, loose or grouted tiles, flagstones, etc. Dont' want to risk impaction (if they accidently eat it) and parasites (because loose substrate is harder to keep clean)...

 

[chadwick757]

Reptile Carpet is also a good option.

 

[Catalyst]

hey guys i got a question im using a calcium sand for my beadies tANK

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752700

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752663

are any of those better than the calcium sand if so witch of those is best to use? :shock:

How old is your dragon? Does it eat in the tank? How humid is your area? These are just some of the questions you'd have to consider before using a loose substrate. If your dragon is still a baby or juvenile, then don't use any loose substrate - stick with a solid substrate like paper towels, nonadhesive shelf liner, reptile carpet, textured slate or ceramic tiles.

If your dragon is an adult, you may consider loose substrates. There are risks invovled though - your dragon can become impacted by ingesting the substrate (on purpose or accidentally), the substrate provides a place for the bacteria from your dragon's poop to grow, and it can also raise the humidity in the tank to dangerous levels.

I use a substrate similar to the "tropical soil" bedding you linked to (the bark in the second link is dangerous for all dragons - the pieces are too large and sharp edged). I use it only because my dragon is a full grown adult, she poops in the tub and not in her tank (no bacteria risk), she isn't misted in her tank and my home isn't humid at all (no humidity issues), she's not prone to licking her environment (no impaction risk), and she eats all of her food out of a bowl that's placed on a tile (no impaction risk). If these conditions weren't met then I wouldn't use it. Even now I've debated switching back to tiles - Randal doesn't seem to care one way or the other what she's on. Slate tile is a great solid substrate for dragons of all ages, looks good, and is safe.

 

[bones76]

The tile (not glossy slick kind) works well with yoda. It keeps his nails down and very easy to clean...just spray and wipe. I do however have a giant bowl (feeding dish) and put sand in. Every so often he goes over and digs and sometimes nap. For the most part he just leaves it alone...got the idea from another person on here. Just my 2cents...