Hello from Australia! Regarding sand substrate.

[danielpentz]

G'day there. I have been looking at these forums for some time now, but just joined up.
Regarding sand as a substrate. I know it causes impact ion and there is countless posts about it.
But I've heard people using sand but not feeding them on it.
Wondering what people's opinions on this is.
I am building my own 1200x600x600 melamine enclosure and got my reptile license on the way.
And building a custom temperature control system with a digital controller. Possibly go down the adruino path later on if I get really excited about it. Haha.
Anyway just thought I'd say g'day and introduce myself and ask that question.
Cheers ! Daniel

 

[cvontres]

I think you accidentally posted twice.
-M

 

[Hypnotic17]

Hi! I've tried my fair share of substrates, and am currently trying out play sand I bought at my local hardware store. I heard all of the cons about it, but my beardies seem to love it. I have always fed them in a separate container, so impaction should never be an issue. They absolutely love to dig in it (all the time) and hang out in the sand below their basking spot where it's nice and warm. I've also found that it's the easiest substrate to clean, especially for their poop. It doesn't get messy and they don't spread it around like they would with non-loose substrates
So, so far so good with sand for me! Hope this helps!

 

[william488]

yes, it can cause impaction, yes beardies seem to love it, but they also lick EVERYTHING. eating on it or not, they can ingest sand if their cage is full of it. My two rescues have been housed on sand their whole life. The first 5 or 6 poops had sand in it even after I took them off of it. Just not worth it in my opinion.

 

[Hypnotic17]

yes, it can cause impaction, yes beardies seem to love it, but they also lick EVERYTHING. eating on it or not, they can ingest sand if their cage is full of it. My two rescues have been housed on sand their whole life. The first 5 or 6 poops had sand in it even after I took them off of it. Just not worth it in my opinion.

Mine did lick it for the first 5 minutes they were exposed to it. And it seemed that once they realized it wasn't food, they haven't done it since. Their cages are in my room, and I've kept a very close eye on them for the reasons you've listed above, and so far they have not licked it ever since. Ive also been keeping a close eye in their poop, and it has been sand-free (visible to naked eye) and healthy looking (sounds silly to say). Of course they are bound to ingest some regardless one way or another, but I don't believe it will ever be consumed consistently enough to become a potential risk for impaction, especially since mine are near adulthood. I wouldn't have tried sand for babies, however. I've heard many, many success stories about sand (the right type), as well as those who are against using it. So I guess it just comes down to personal preference !

 

[william488]

yes, I think you are right about personal preferences, and sometimes a really really big licker, lol.

I just really like the look of my tile in my cage. My female loves to dig though, and she does have a 12"x10" 5" deep dig box in her cage, but she is not my licker. she is my Screen door climber, who sneaks into the Male's cage, and gets busy making eggs beardie. lol She is the only one with a dig box though. Either way, I want pictures!!! lets see what you decide to use and how it looks. good luck with what ever you decided to do.

 

[ReptileAddiction]

I tried it and my dragon got extremely stressed and hated it. The sand also smelled... Horrible. It was so repulsive and I could smell it down the hallway. It was horrible. I personally would not use it again.

 

[danielpentz]

Good feedback guys ! Thanks. Ill put up some photos in the next couple of weeks