SAND GOOD OR NOT!!??

[jcurrie76]

i started with sand and just was not happy after hearing about the problems so since then it is repi carpet and i actually got 2 so when i want to wash 1 i can put the other in right away for him. i take it out and wash it once a month for me it is easier than taking out the sand to bake it every month.

 

[Aznrainbowdime]

i started with sand and just was not happy after hearing about the problems so since then it is repi carpet and i actually got 2 so when i want to wash 1 i can put the other in right away for him. i take it out and wash it once a month for me it is easier than taking out the sand to bake it every month.

taking sand out to bake it? huh... i never even knew i had to do that. Wow now im DEFINATELY changing to repti carpet. how do you wash it ? is it machine wash safe ?

 

[BadCon]

These are pets, not zoo display animals. As pets, these animals disserve an environment that will maximize their life, keeping them happy and healthy for as long as possible. To this end, we should choose a substrate that is more suiting for a pet...than a wild dragon, because as has been posted, a dragon’s lifespan in its "natural" habitat is significantly shorter than your typical pet bearded dragon.
In my opinion, natural stone or ceramic tiles are the best compromise between a "natural" look, and animal wealth fare. Loose substrates such as sand not only pose an impaction risk, but will harbor bacteria and parasites which can harm you and your dragon. As has been posted before, bearded dragons live on hard pan, not sand. If you have ever walked on the stuff, it’s like walking on concrete...where the sand thing came from, I don't know.

So to answer your question, sand is no good. Not only is it an impaction risk, but its a bacteria/parasite breeding ground, and if that wasn't enough, its not even a dragons natural envirnment.

 

[minizookeeper]

I started with sand for my baby, then after it dyed his little feet and tail, i took my local reptile stores recomendation and switch to some stuff called "sani-chips" its didnt really have a label or anything, but ive seen it sold a few places, but i was thinking about switching to ground walnut shells, the labels say that its great for beardies. ive seen some positive things about it, what do you think?
p.s. i do feed my baby live insects in a seperate container, with paper towel lining.

 

[BadCon]

lol, ground walnut shells are worse than even calci-sand. Stick with a solid substrate...I don't understand why tile is so hard for people to accept. You don't even have to glue it down, simply placing it in the tank loose is really convenient when its time to clean...just take the dirty piece out.

 

[Aznrainbowdime]

lol, ground walnut shells are worse than even calci-sand. Stick with a solid substrate...I don't understand why tile is so hard for people to accept. You don't even have to glue it down, simply placing it in the tank loose is really convenient when its time to clean...just take the dirty piece out.

Im DEFINATLEY moving to tiles or carpet this month. I guess tile is hard to accept... (wel for me at least...) because Im not much of a handy gal.. I dont do alot of do it yourself things. I've only been to home depot once when i was like 15 with my parents !
But now that you said I dont even have to glue it down... just placing it in the tank would be ok... That's fine!

THanks for hte info... i'l post pixs up once I get some tiles !!

 

[kimmyk]

but i was thinking about switching to ground walnut shells, the labels say that its great for beardies. ive seen some positive things about it, what do you think?

I'e used ground walnut shells and while I didn't have any impaction probs, they are very messy. They stick to your beardie when you get it out, and end up all over the floor and it's hard to clean up their messes when they "do their duty." I'd stick to reptile carpet or shelf liner. I am currently using a cork textured shelf liner and have been very pleased. No mess and when Beardie "goes" it wipes right up. I do use clorox anywhere hard surface about every other week or once a month to disinfect and deodorize, I make sure the floor surface is completely dry before putting Beardie back in his cage.

 

[jcurrie76]

i just put is in the washing machine and when it is done either low heat dry or you can air dry it. my friend uses sand and every month she takes it all out abnd bake it on cookie sheets for a hour at a time then has to let it cool down, for me that is to much so yes i love the carpet.

 

[pogona050897]

i think you should just not use it if your not sure if it is good or not

 

[BadCon]

lol, ground walnut shells are worse than even calci-sand. Stick with a solid substrate...I don't understand why tile is so hard for people to accept. You don't even have to glue it down, simply placing it in the tank loose is really convenient when its time to clean...just take the dirty piece out.

Im DEFINATLEY moving to tiles or carpet this month. I guess tile is hard to accept... (wel for me at least...) because Im not much of a handy gal.. I dont do alot of do it yourself things. I've only been to home depot once when i was like 15 with my parents !
But now that you said I dont even have to glue it down... just placing it in the tank would be ok... That's fine!

THanks for hte info... i'l post pixs up once I get some tiles !!

Yeah, a lot depends on the size of your tank. Fortunately, the common tank sizes can accept whole tiles with no cutting, you'll just have to mix and match sizes. I personally like my tiles loose, as cleaning is as simple as removing and replacing. I typically have a few tiles cleaned and ready to go, so when one in the tank gets dirty, I pop a clean one in and take my time cleaning the dirty ones. they will eventually make there way to the clean pile, ready to go in the tank when needed.

 

[LokiMom]

I bought some of the pink sand at the pet store when I bought Loki. I noticed within a day that it had turned his his feet & tail pink. This did not alarm me at first but then by day 2 I noticed he had gotten it in his nose. I immediately freaked out and started googling and found this website. I tossed the entire $8 bag of sand immediately and replaced it with paper towels. Super easy to clean up "messes". Then I noticed after some time his nails were getting pretty sharp so once again I searched this site and found out more info about the tiles. Literally it cost me more to buy the sand than it did the tiles to go in his tank. They don't quite fit in perfectly so I have one slightly overlapping another and use this as a slight ramp to get in his bedroom. When he used to "go" in his tank I just popped out the affected tile rinsed it and put it in the dishwasher. I can not believe how simple it is AND it is helping him to file his own fingernails. I bought the tiles that match his beautiful orange coloring and they look like the red rock found in the desert, even textured. He seems to love it and it works for all of us! :lol:

 

[minizookeeper]

i took the walnut shells back, and i definitely going to tile. but for now its news paper till payday... and I am going to pass the tip on to my friends with beardies too.

 

[herps4ever]

Here is my quistion on tile HOW DO YOU GET THE LQUID OFF AFTER THEY DEFICATE.
ps i am not the best speller.

 

[peera]

Here is my quistion on tile HOW DO YOU GET THE LQUID OFF AFTER THEY DEFICATE.
ps i am not the best speller.

Paper towel. Or just remove it and run water over it and wash it like a dish (not with the same sponge you use for your other dishes!!!!)

 

[ibanezboy21]

regarding using sand, anyone think its a good idea to put water crystal in with the sand so when it poops, it will absorb most of the moisture?

(ONLY IF YOUR BEARDED DRAGON DOESN'T EAT SAND)

im thinking of using sand in my enclosure so it does't seem so bored doing nothing all day.