i have sand in my beardies cage is that bad for her

[kcarello]

Non adehesive shelf liner is nice, I have it in both of mine. Of course, I trim their nails myself, but they both get to run around outside so that helps too.

 

[angelpaws]

The poster kcarello left a great article up. Much more informative than most one-sided arguments. Makes me think twice about sand anyway.

 

[w0554096]

Hello,
I just wanted to put my two cents in about the tile.

The only reason that tile would be slippery is if you use a smooth finished tile, like porceline, marble, glass, etc. I don't reccomend those, because of their slippery factor and also depending on how much heat reaches the tile, some types of tile can become very hot, and will reflect heat instead of absorbing it.
I use slate tile, and other types of non smooth finished tiles. I have had no issues with toes, or slipping, and it keeps their nails filed right down. If your tile is fitted properly in the tank, there is also no risk of nails or toes getting caught in them.
Slate type tiles will absorb heat as well, which can act as a dual function of keeping the enclosure a bit warmer as well as mimicking their natural enviornment.
In the wild, the sun would be baking the ground, so if they move to get out of direct basking light, there is still some warmth radiating from the grounf (floor).

IMO I do not like sand. Apart from the impaction risk, which can be minimal in some cases, there bacteria it harbors is seriously disturbing. The only way to get the substrate comepletely clean would be to wash the sand, drain, and dry it before replacing it back into the viv.

Think about the liquid portion of the poo, and on sand all you can scoop out is the solid matter. All of that liquid will remain in the sand.
I very much doubt that people using sand switch it out as frequently as would be needed. I don't know about everyone else, but my girls poop once a day, sometimes twice. That's alot of bacteria build up even after just 2 weeks.

I started off on sand (that's what the breeder I got my very first beardie from reccomended), and I will never go back.

Just my opinions on the matter.

 

[angelpaws]

I have a few pieces of slate in my viv and I do love it. I'll tell you..where I live, that stuff doesn't come cheap but even the beardie seems to love it. Do you line the whole floor with segments? How do you set it up so that the crix don't hide in between?
Here's a shot of my set up. Crickets do hide between the rock and the slate even though they are lined up to fit (sorta like a puzzle). You can see the slate in the center of the viv with various rocks. He hangs out in that spot often and the rocks radiate a nice warm heat. Still it brings me back to my first concern about digging. He will pull the carpet out and lie under it occassionally. I have considered placing velcro in the corners of the viv to hold the carpet down - (i think someone also mentioned they do that). I would just like for Zorro life to have all the pleasures he's hardwired to want. Maybe as a parent, I just have to accept that sand is a risky option and forgo the idea?

 

[w0554096]

That's a very nice looking viv.

I have slate tile in my enclosures. They're cut to fit the floor exactly, with no gaps in between them. I don't use crickets, but even if I did they wouldn't be able to hide in them.
Picture a tile floor, that's pretty much what it looks like with tile for substrate. There's no grout in between the tiles, they're just placed tightly together. I found boxes of tile at my Re Store for cheap. I got enough to do 3 4F x 2F enclosures for about 10 bucks.

 

[angelpaws]

Sounds like Ill be returning the bag of sand after all. LOL. Ill check out home depot for the slate tile.
Thank you. :wave: :wave:

 

[w0554096]

No problem.
Home depo will have slate, and if you take the measurements of your enclosure before you go, they should even be able to cut them for you. Depends on your area, some HD still do it, and some don't. Good luck!

 

[JohnnieDoesntLy]

Bahamuts currently on slate tile and he gets plenty of traction due to the texture. I don't believe people use the smooth ceramic tiles.