To sand or not to sand

[mavman99]

I am a leo newbie who currently uses Repti Sand because I thought it looked good, plus the package says it is OK, even if your lizard eats some. It is also easy to scoop up the droppings daily.

Now, I am not trying to start a fight, so please play nice.

I have seen lots of comments in threads to avoid sand for leos, at least juveniles. How serious is the risk? I am definitely NOT trying to make light of a pet getting impacted and having a horrible death, but I am tyring to get a sense of how frequently it might happen. I am trying to learn if I have a "very, very remote chance" of having a problem, or a "really good chance," or somewhere in between.

If you say "yes to sand," please let me know what your experience has been and what kind you recommend.

If you say "no to sand," please let me know why and what your experience has been.

 

[Jeremy Letkey]

If you have read any other sand thread, then you know where this one is heading. I would just read the other threads and form your own opinion. :main_huh:

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I say no to sand. The fact is, it does not happen very often. However, it HAS and easy could happen. I personally do not think it is worth the risk.

 

[Val]

No to sand. This is all the reason I need. http://homepage.mac.com/exoticdvm/reptile/PhotoAlbum181.html

If you need more of a reason, another good one is that sand is not their natural environment. They avoid open sandy areas, and live in hard, compact clay and that is why lots of people chose slate tiles as their substrate.

 

[Val]

Oh, and I should have put a warning along with that link. It leads to graphic images.

 

[LeopardLunatic]

thats not calcium sand in those pictures calcium sand or at least good calc sand white or other colors but not brown. Also ive seen that link posted every time someone brings up sand and if you notice it says a sand marketed as digestible by lizards so why does every one automatically think calc sand there are lots of other "digestible" sands but calcium sand is safe then there is the fact that they ingest sand to get nutrients if you provide proper nutrients then they wont eat sand i personally have kept all of my lizards except babies under 5 inches on calc sand or lizard litter and have never had a problem.

 

[LeopardLunatic]

Also i would recommend reptilite calc sand.

 

[BluGnat]

No sand here. Reason? Simple. Why on earth would I even want to thinking about taking a chance?

Besides, slate looks excruciatingly cool and is very easy to clean. Even a caveman could do it.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Here we go again... ANOTHER sand debate. I would suggest utilizing the SEARCH function for this website and reviewing the numerous threads on this subject.

 

[GeckoMandi]

^ditto^ Marcia.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

No sand here. Reason? Simple. Why on earth would I even want to thinking about taking a chance?

Besides, slate looks excruciatingly cool and is very easy to clean. Even a caveman could do it.

Haha, couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[Sandra]

How serious is the risk? I am definitely NOT trying to make light of a pet getting impacted and having a horrible death, but I am tyring to get a sense of how frequently it might happen. I am trying to learn if I have a "very, very remote chance" of having a problem, or a "really good chance," or somewhere in between.

It depends on other factors apart from the substrate itself.

Baby sized, being fed directly on the ground, coarse granulated sand, nutritional deficiencies, no other kinds of surfaces to retire to - More likely to happen.

Adult sized, being fed on dishes or using tweezers, fine granulated sand, no nutritional deficiences, more kinds of surfaces to retire to - Less likely to happen, but there's still risk.

 

[KelliH]

I have to say that I used sand as a substate for many years on my adult breeder leos and had no problems. Many others have as well. However, I will not recommend it because it seems others have problems with it.

 

[mavman99]

OK, thanks for your opinions, I appreciate it.

If you use slate, do you just pick up the droppings with a paper towel or something? Do you have to wipe the area with a cleaner or something, or is that only when you do the weekly cleaning?

Thanks again!

 

[Val]

I'd just pick up the poo and use a wet paper towel in that spot. Then you can do a more thorough clean with your regular schedule.

 

[ReptileMan27]

Not sand again, the facts are its NOT natural for leos and it is dangerous. I personally dont see any reason or excuse to use something that is not natural and carries risks.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

OK, thanks for your opinions, I appreciate it.

If you use slate, do you just pick up the droppings with a paper towel or something? Do you have to wipe the area with a cleaner or something, or is that only when you do the weekly cleaning?

Thanks again!

Just wanna add some things about this. First to answer that question, as Val said just a wet paper towel in fine. Also, when I first got slate for my tank, Lowe's cut it for me, but it was a little off. I think it is practically impossible to get it exact, so you will most likely have some space between tiles or between the tile and the glass. The two problems with this are 1) your leo getting his little toes stuck and 2) crickets hiding between the glass and tile cracks. Thanks to some people on this forum I found and easy solution to both problems. Sifted (to get the rocks out) playground sand works perfectly. That probably sounds weird because of all of the responses, including my own on this thread. The reason it is not a problem is because it is only in the cracks, so it is rare your leo will even get to it. Plus the fact, since it does not have calcium in it (i.e. cali-sand) your leo will not try to eat it thinking it is good for him.

There are also other positives to tile such as cheap, easy to clean, hold heat extremely well, looks very nice, the most natural surface, and takes away the worry of impaction. Hope this helps you a little.

 

[KiKi]

We say no to sand, especially calci-sand. Why would you even want to take the cance? Especially with calci sand that clumps up even worse and that your gecko WILL eat if it doesnt get enough calcium.

 

[LeopardLunatic]

I personally dont see any reason or excuse to use something that is not natural and carries risks.

paper towel, slate, tile,etc.... are not natural either and i personally dont like the looks of anything other than sand because when i see a lizard i think sand. As for calc sand clumping it doesnt clump enough to cause impaction. Lets put it this way your lizards have just as much of a chance to die from choking on their food or something falling on them heck when you breed them your taking a risk of death right there the fact of the matter is it is all up to the owner what he wants to do. Ive gotten into this argument on various forums and in the end nothing is resolved and everyone ends up resenting me because of my opinions but this is all a rumor spread around because a gecko died from impaction that doe not necisarrily mean calc sand and it doesnt mean it happens very often the chance is probably 1 in a million its like getting killed by wes nile it doesnt happen to many people i know and yet i still see people over reacting and spraying cans upon cans of bug spray on them selves and i dont because i dont have a low immune system im not old and im not a baby yet people still think it can kill anyone. So i guess what im tring to say is the chance is very very very slim and i wouldnt worry about it why put your so called "LOVED" pet in something that looks like something you threw together. I spent the better part of 2 years putting this together the way i like it and my leos seem to enjoy it an awful lot.

 

[Russ S]

Ive gotten into this argument on various forums and in the end nothing is resolved and everyone ends up resenting me because of my opinions but this is all a rumor spread around because a gecko died from impaction that doe not necisarrily mean calc sand and it doesnt mean it happens very often the chance is probably 1 in a million its like getting killed by wes nile it doesnt happen to many people i know and yet i still see people over reacting and spraying cans upon cans of bug spray on them selves and i dont because i dont have a low immune system im not old and im not a baby yet people still think it can kill anyone.

That looooooooong sentence hurt my head. And while I agree sand looks great, why take a chance?