Does calci-sand harm a gecko?

[Jordan]

i tried sand for a bit and within a couple of weeks my geckos poos were filled with sand. ditch the sand.

 

[Spots]

I bought a gecko from the canadian reptile breeder expo...and the breeder who sold me the gecko had an information sheet..and it said...the get MUST be on sand. I was really shocked because I've been on this forum for quite some time and sand was always a "no-no" on here. It also said to use a lamp heat instead of UTH which I thought was odd too...


I have mine on tile which is pretty handy. I didn't think I would like it but it's really easy to clean. There is a little gap inbetween the wall and the edge of the tile that the crickets like to hide in..thats the only pain lol. But my question is...does it have to be ceramic tiles? or can it be stone tiles as well? (the ceramic ones didn't fit and they won't cut them for me at the store)

 

[GothicGurrrl]

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.

That's good to hear! I've got sand for my new gecko.. and i was worried because everyone seems against it! I thought it looks natural, it heats up well and if you give them enough calcium they wont munch on their sand.

how are your geckos on sand??

 

[goReptiles]

Plain sand is better than calcium sand. But there are still there are better alternatives

 

[wspatterson]

My leo, Digger, got an impaction from calci-sand. It took 7 years to happen, but it happened. Fortunately there was a vet in the area who regularly treated leos. Now Digger is happy on a sandless landscape.

 

[roger]

As to why everyone that uses sand would put their leo at risk is beyond me.It is bound to happen over the course of a week,month or year that your leo will be impacted.And then whats going to happen is u will be posting "what is wrong with my leo".Why take the risk

 

[roger]

I bought a gecko from the canadian reptile breeder expo...and the breeder who sold me the gecko had an information sheet..and it said...the get MUST be on sand. I was really shocked because I've been on this forum for quite some time and sand was always a "no-no" on here. It also said to use a lamp heat instead of UTH which I thought was odd too...


I have mine on tile which is pretty handy. I didn't think I would like it but it's really easy to clean. There is a little gap inbetween the wall and the edge of the tile that the crickets like to hide in..thats the only pain lol. But my question is...does it have to be ceramic tiles? or can it be stone tiles as well? (the ceramic ones didn't fit and they won't cut them for me at the store)

spots=which ever breeder told u to use sand and a lamp instead of a heat pad has no clue what they are talking about

 

[prettyinpink]

Exactly what Roger said...whoever told you to use sand and a lamp is very weird. Even worse that it's a breeder

I've heard both ways and that sand doesn't cause impaction but bad husbandry does. Considering how they are not on sand in the wild...it's more of a 'fake' natural if you want to say it looks 'natural'. Also, I'm the same...why take the risk? I just dont' get it tbh.

 

[GeckoGurl]

I have used sand... never calci sand because they are more likely to eat it... always washed out play sand and fed in a dish so there is no "missing and hitting sand" and i never see sand in poos as I check everytime. I however do not recommend it necessarily. I also done this before I "knew" anything about a gecko besides a good reptile owner/friend was the one that told me if I was going to use it use "play" sand and at the time had a bag at home that I had not opened yet! Easy to sift out poos and urates as well. But if i was going to recommend a substrate I would recommend paper towel or tile. (I use eco-earth for my AFT) and carpet holds tons of bacteria and leos tend to get their little claws caught on it. I agree that there are better choices on hand but I also believe husbandry makes a big difference. If you have lots of "free" time that you can care for them versus working all the time and stuff, plus take precautions (like the dish) it could be fine. I know a 22 yr old Leo that has always been healthly and has lived on play sand her whole life. But never free fed always by tong or dish.

P.S. The husbandry factor is main reason why I do not recommend it esspecially to new/inexperienced owners.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Something that bothers me about play sand- it has that sparkly stuff in it that is quite dusty. It seems like that stuff could possibly cause breathing issues or even stick to an open wound and of course, a moist vent area. I've used it in a desert tank for a different animal but ended up changing it for paving sand. Even in naturalistic leo setups, there's other options instead of sand that is much better for their health. Why risk it? Is it really a good thing to be on the lookout for sand in poo just in case? Maybe it wouldn't happen for a couple years, then it's thought that all is well, a problem that could have been completely avoided occurs. Then the leo suffers, and it's entirely the keepers fault.

 

[Euphoric]

I have done reptile rescue for a long time..Impaction is the #1 problem, be in leos, beardies, and frogs.

Why the risk? And it isn't "natural" for them. They don't live in sand dunes. Packed earth. When my brother in law served in Afghanistan, I told him to take pictures of the earth and landscape to prove it isn't some sandy desert. I will try to dig them up. I live in Arizona, and I have to tell people that as a desert, we also don't live on sand. Desert does not equal sand, LOL.

But people who put leos on eco earth annoy me too. Tile is $8 for a 20 gallon and last forever..and looks "natural." Why. Risk. It.

 

[Theinfidel]

What's the big deal with just using paper towels and possibly putting a piece of toilet paper where the gecko goes to the bathroom and change it when it poops there? Sand will absorb all the pee and just keep the bacteria in the sand there. Besides, you can buy 4 rolls of toilet paper for 1 dollar and 2 rolls of paper towel at the dollar store for 1 dollar to.

 

[Krow]

If you must use sand, use very fine play sand, do not feed your gecko in the tank & clean it regularly. But, imo, I would never use it. Risk the life of my geckos for... a natural looking tank? Pissh!!

As for me, I use Eco Earth Coco Fiber, they never eat it. I also feed them out of the tank. The cool thing about coco fiber: It doesn't take much to cover your tank, it smells good, does not stick too/absorb the poop & urates, looks good, & when me leos are close to shedding, mist the coco fiber right under a hide. My young leo was is kept on non-sticky back linoleum, you can find non-sticky back linoleum that looks like rocks or sand & it VERY easy to clean.

But the possible impaction of my pets whom I love dearly is, like many have already said, enough reason for me not to use sand.

Also, has anyone every heard of Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate? Im sure this would be MUCH more like leopard geckos natural habitat! Kinda cool to because while its wet, you can shape & mold things however you want, & when it dries it will stay like that! Just a thought...

Heres the link to it: http://zoomed.com/db/products/Entry...I7czo4OiJLZXl3b3JkcyI7czo5OiJleGNhdmF0b3IiO30

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I think ANY substrate that can be ingested by leopard geckos is dangerous, especially calcium sand. Here's why:

1.) Leopard geckos have very short GI systems, and calci-sand does not dissolve completely in their intestines. Instead, it becomes sticky and will clump together. This is the #1 impaction problem in leopard geckos.

2.) Calci-sand is made of calcium carbonate, which reptiles need. However, this is the same substance that Tums and other antacids are made from and too much in the GI system prevents stomach acid and gastric juices from breaking down the food completely, which further fosters intestinal impaction.

3.) Studies have been conducted to test the solubility of commercial calcium-based sand substrates. The results are not encouraging for reptiles that are carnivorous or insectivorous that have short GI systems. Other reptiles that are herbivorous or omnivorous will do better on calcium sand.

As far as Excavator, it is not recommended for use with under-tank heaters (UTH's), which is what is recommended for leopard geckos.

Leopard geckos do NOT live in sandy areas in the wild, so it is not a wise choice for a substrate for these animals. If you want a nice, naturalistic vivarium, get some slate floor tile that looks like natural stone and cut it to the size of the floor of your gecko's tank. It' safe and looks real pretty.

Here is a photo of the Zagros Mountains in Iran, and the Hindu Kush range that stretches between central Afghanistan and northern Pakistan. This is the terrain that leopard geckos are found in the wild:

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Excellent post, Marcia.

 

[Taquiq]

You could use non fortified fine grained sand but why not just skip the hassle and use repticarpet or paper towels? They are much easier to clean and you don't have to worry about a thing.

 

[smsararas2]

I have dealt with impaction and it just wasn't worth the risk.