Does calci-sand harm a gecko?

[Chibii]

I just want to know because some one recommend it to me. But she is missing her food and hits the sand.

 

[Chewbecca]

Yes, it's bad.
Eventually over time, your gecko missing her food and getting the sand can lead to impaction. It may not happen tomorrow, next week, or 10 years down the road, but it CAN happen.

My husband stupidly had our 8 year old geckos on sand (he didn't know any better), they didn't suffer impaction, but I moved them off of it anyway and put them on ceramic tile and paper towel.

My younger geckos have been on paper towel since I put them in their cages.

Even if it's only been noted once that a gecko suffered from impaction from sand, that's enough for me to get them off sand.

 

[Khrysty]

Even if it's only been noted once that a gecko suffered from impaction from sand, that's enough for me to get them off sand.

:main_yes::main_thumbsup:

 

[lisa s]

I have nothing against sand and I use sand myself. BUT I'm not a big fan of calci-sand because I would be afraid the gecko might eat it in its seach for calcium and vitamins.

 

[Sidviciouser]

I have nothing against sand and I use sand myself. BUT I'm not a big fan of calci-sand because I would be afraid the gecko might eat it in its seach for calcium and vitamins.

I think that's the problem. If your going to use sand get a super fine sand that is not fortified with calcium. You can also feed with mealworms in escape proof containers and the gecko's won't accidentally ingest sand when they eat.

I was listening to a radio show with Ron Trempor and he said it's not a problem to have 5+ inch gecko's on fine sand as long as it's not fortified. But never for neonates.

 

[Chewbecca]

I stopped using sand partially because our feeder roaches (dubias) would get sanded down and we'd have to wipe them off and start all over again.
It was a HUGE pain!

 

[VTHokie]

I contend that there is no benefit from keeping them on sand, so why take the associated risk, even if it were a small risk?

 

[Khrysty]

I contend that there is no benefit from keeping them on sand, so why take the associated risk, even if it were a small risk?

*raises glass* Hear Hear!

 

[g3ckosr4me]

do not use sand even calci sand!

 

[LizMarie]

i am NOT pro-sand but I once read a study and saw pictures of Calci-Sand vs. Washed out Playsand and the Washed out Playsand was the better choice because they showed how the "calcium" in Calci-Sand wasn't breaking down and being absorbed as fast as it should be in within the gecko causing a blockage. While playsand seemed to pass easily.

I personally see sand as a complete hassle to clean and deal with and I just don't see it as being sanitary.

 

[Superior]

I dont use sand because:
-There is a risk of impaction
-Is difficult to clean out
-I think repti-carpet looks better
-Costs more than repti-carpet

All these together give me enough reasons not to use sand.

 

[MattP]

I personally use Zoo Med Repti-Sand mixed with eco-earth; it seems to work great for my adults. My knobtails seem to do great on the Repti-Sand and they are under 5 inches. For babies I would always use paper towels though.

 

[Redleg]

Had a friend over 15 years ago that kept two adult leos on sand..... I remember that as that was my first exposure to leos...... well both leos died within two months of each other after about 1 year on the sand from impaction. I remember it VIVIDLY as I felt the belly of those two lifeless leos

 

[Chibii]

Pore thing D: i put my gecko on paper towels now. So she is safe from impact.

 

[JordanAng420]

Oh my gosh, so we CAN talk about sand and not have a mudslinging wrestling match, who woulda thought? I'm impressed! Seriously! :banana::banana::banana:

Personally I don't use sand for all the reasons stated above...also, it's a wonderful place for bacteria to harbor...The repticarpet washes easily, and if I end up throwing it out, I can use paper towels until I get some more.

On the other hand, I do believe that sand CAN be used with certain adult geckos that have proper husbandry requirements. It all comes down to your own personal choice and feelings though. I must admit that a lot of the geckos i've known that died & were impacted with sand were sick with other disease(s) as well, such as hookworm anemia or NSHP.

 

[LazyAndi]

Oh my, glad I read this.
I have my gecko on Calcium sand, I was told that it would be the best choice since it would break down in his system so he can't get impacted, and it would be a good for him to get calcium when he misses his food and gets mouth fulls of it.

Repticarpet?
Lots of people have been mentioning that on this site, so I guess I should start looking for that instead?
thank you thank you thank you :O

 

[LizMarie]

Oh my, glad I read this.

Repticarpet?
Lots of people have been mentioning that on this site, so I guess I should start looking for that instead?
thank you thank you thank you :O

ReptiCarpet is cool. . . But you can use slate/ceramic tiles, non-adhesive shelf liner, paper towels and other similar things.

 

[LazyAndi]

hhmmm. I think I might try for the tiles. Just any ceramic tiles will do? The under tank heater will keep the tiles hot and all that?

 

[Chibii]

hhmmm. I think I might try for the tiles. Just any ceramic tiles will do? The under tank heater will keep the tiles hot and all that?

I don't know the answerer for the first question. But the second one, your heater should just work fine

 

[LazyAndi]

What about using vinyl flooring like linoleum?

Thanks so much for the help