sand for substrate?

[chrisarie]

I have a beadie, he is more than 14 inches long. Currently I use reptile carpet for his substrate. I was wanting to switch over to sand, because i heard it was easier to clean. I know that they recommend not using sand for juveniles, but my bearded dragon is close to full grown. Does anyone have any recommendations on what brand to use, or are there any other concerns i need to have while using sand?

 

[AllanonsWrath]

Sand is easier to get poop/urates out of. As far as it being "clean" though? Sand produces dust, which can cause respiratory problems. It's also harder to keep sanitary. It'd be like living in a kitty litter pan. Even picking the poop up as soon as it happens, do you think that all the "dirty" sand is going to get out as well? That's just my 2 cents on sand as a substrate for any animal.

 

[KatieKat]

Sand is a risk for a dragon any age. Reptile carpet is easy to clean and very nice, I have it in both beardies tanks. Loose subsrate of any kind is not tecommended. You can use paper towels or evern tiles, which are probably even easier than Reptile Carpet.

 

[chrisarie]

Thanks you guys!
I didn't even really think about sanitation. It would be sort of impossible to get all of the poop out!
I think I'll just stick to my reptile carpet. I was just considering a different substrate to change things up a little bit. I think if I change to sand, it will also stress my beardie out. He gets mad when I change his terrarium around, and there no telling how furious he'll be if I change to sand.

 

[zillathakilla]

If you want to switch substrates i recommend switching to slate tiles,they are amazingly easy to clean, and also if u introduce sand as a new substrate they will eat it,and most likely get impacted,some people have no issues if there beardies always been on sand but its still a large risk b/c it can cause so many problems,and carpet can still sometimes hold little parasites,slate is very easy to clean,and well it's rock, parasites can't hdie in rock

 

[EccentricME]

If you want to switch substrates i recommend switching to slate tiles,they are amazingly easy to clean, and also if u introduce sand as a new substrate they will eat it,and most likely get impacted,some people have no issues if there beardies always been on sand but its still a large risk b/c it can cause so many problems,and carpet can still sometimes hold little parasites,slate is very easy to clean,and well it's rock, parasites can't hdie in rock

^^I second that ^^
This girl loves slate tiles! 8)

 

[chrisarie]

ahh ok... I can imagine they can be cleaned a whole lot easier than carpet.

 

[Claudiusx]

I also say yay to tiles. It doesn't have to be slate though. I use non slate(because I can't think of what they are called *facepalm*) tiles. Very easy to clean and keep sanitary, and cheap!

-Brandon

 

[zillathakilla]

Yeah,sorry i didn't mean slate exclusively, any type of tiles work well.What i do is i usually try to scrape the feces off with paper towel,then run them under hot water and scrub them with warm vinegar-water, vinegar works great for cleaning,no chemicals and the smell leaves quickly.

 

[cry8wolf9]

where would you get slate from? and how would you cut it to the right size?

 

[Claudiusx]

From any home improvement store.

If you ask them they will cut it for you.

-Brandon

 

[bltkpo]

We took our repti-carpet as a template. Then picked out our tile, and the guy cut it for us, using the carpet as a guide. Worked like a charm, only cost $10, and now we have them forever. They get a weekly soak in hot water and vinegar. Super simple!

 

[elmomybeardie]

im using sand my dragon has had no problems what so ever ive met his parents the dragons den i got him from all there reptiles are on sand elmo parents look abso fab! no markings no respite problems. but each dragon is different