Using Sandstone Slate Pieces and Sand? Would It be safe?

[WHYISPY]

I was just wondering if I could use a thin layer of sand for anchoring the the pieces of Sandstone Slate I'm going to use. Would it be safe? Or should I just use Repti-Carpet and cover everything up with Slate. The reason I also want to use sand is because of the different insects I feed it can hide in all the small spaces the uneven slate pieces create and they might die and rot in my aquarium. I'm going to use a dish for the worms but the crickets just find any hiding places they can.

Also can I use sand for my warm hid? It's a sandstone piece ontop of some coloums to create a roof. It's probably the only place with exposed sand. Would it still be unsafe? Because almost all sand everywhere else will have a slate piece on it

Heres the link, the Gecko you see in the tank is no longer my mine and was returned to the breeder when I noticed he showed signs of ill health. Which is the reason he slept out in the open by the waterdish.
http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae302/CRABfis/

 

[GodzillaGecko]

You could use sand but it would be safer to feed outside the tank if your going with sand. The rug would be better but you will have to watch the gecko's toes since they can get caught in the rug. But if your going with mealies then the chance of impaction is pretty low anyway.

Insects can and will dig so no matter what they will hide. You never leave crickets in the tank. they will bite and stress your gecko if left inside the tank. If they don't eat the crickets..take em out. Mealies are easier they don't really go anywhere. Shallow bowl with a carrot piece and they will stay put for the most part.

as for that piece of slate...yes unsafe will crush your little guy if it so happens to fall for any reason. Don't use it. get a actual hide not that thing. You need a moist hide also and a hide in the hot zone. But before you get another gecko clean everything out of that tank, run it in 1 part bleach 9 parts water or use a vinegar water solution and that will do the trick also.

edit: just noticed the other hide on the other side of the tank. But you still need a real hide. That slate will fall and go boom and crunch if it should fall. Maybe glue it down with some construction glue so it doesn't fall. but otherwise its not all that safe.

 

[WHYISPY]

You could use sand but it would be safer to feed outside the tank if your going with sand. The rug would be better but you will have to watch the gecko's toes since they can get caught in the rug. But if your going with mealies then the chance of impaction is pretty low anyway.

Insects can and will dig so no matter what they will hide. You never leave crickets in the tank. they will bite and stress your gecko if left inside the tank. If they don't eat the crickets..take em out. Mealies are easier they don't really go anywhere. Shallow bowl with a carrot piece and they will stay put for the most part.

as for that piece of slate...yes unsafe will crush your little guy if it so happens to fall for any reason. Don't use it. get a actual hide not that thing. You need a moist hide also and a hide in the hot zone. But before you get another gecko clean everything out of that tank, run it in 1 part bleach 9 parts water or use a vinegar water solution and that will do the trick also.

Is it because I said the gecko was ill? He was ill because he suffered from impaction from the breeder I bought him from. Also, how do I clean with the vinegar and water solution? Wash out the sand and scrub the decorations? I have a moist hide under the brown hid and I am getting another small hide for the cool side. I also am going to use aquarium sealant to support the slate and other loose parts. So would it be safe for the bedding of his warm hide? I mean as long as he doesn't eat the sand it's alright. Also when I said the crickets find hiding places, almost as soon as I place them in they directly hide in a corner too small for my gecko am I always end up rearranging everything to get them out.

 

[SC Geckos]

Is it because I said the gecko was ill? He was ill because he suffered from impaction from the breeder I bought him from.

I saw in one of your many other posts that the geckos poop was green. That sounds like a sick leo and not impacted. I would clean everything and get rid of the sand all together and use another type of substrate. JMO. I would not want your next leo to possibly get sick.

 

[GodzillaGecko]

I agree with brad but in another post you really wanted that sand so I was trying to compromise to your need for sand. I wouldn't use sand at all. Paper towels at least for now till you get yourself some slate tiles. Not just slate pieces. but slate tiles. And no I wasn't saying that just cause your gecko was sick. I was saying it because you asked a question and I was giving an honest answer. Don't be so defensive.

Try the slate tiles but that one slate piece you want to use for a hide I wouldn't use it just seems like an accident waiting to happen.

Others use ceramic tiles. I personally like slate it has a more natural look. That's what it looks like your going for anyway. And you can get it the same color as sand so it should look really nice when its all done. Add a background to that would make it feel more at home. Some fake plants just to add more life to it.

 

[WHYISPY]

I saw in one of your many other posts that the geckos poop was green. That sounds like a sick leo and not impacted. I would clean everything and get rid of the sand all together and use another type of substrate. JMO. I would not want your next leo to possibly get sick.

He pooped on a piece of slate and I scraped, wiped with a moist towl,and dried the area with a heat lamp. I can't really afford to get rid of the sand because I'm fairly tight on cash after about 5 separate trips to the pet shop. I was thinking of disifecting the sand using an odd tequnique a friend of mine told me. He said to either boil the sand or soak it in water and vinager. Would this work? Or should I just use reptile carpet since the new gecko will be fairly young. Then should I just take everything out all together until he's a bit older and just use the hide and food dishes and just buy another hide and leave the moist hide out?

 

[WHYISPY]

I agree with brad but in another post you really wanted that sand so I was trying to compromise to your need for sand. I wouldn't use sand at all. Paper towels at least for now till you get yourself some slate tiles. Not just slate pieces. but slate tiles. And no I wasn't saying that just cause your gecko was sick. I was saying it because you asked a question and I was giving an honest answer. Don't be so defensive.

Try the slate tiles but that one slate piece you want to use for a hide I wouldn't use it just seems like an accident waiting to happen.

Others use ceramic tiles. I personally like slate it has a more natural look. That's what it looks like your going for anyway. And you can get it the same color as sand so it should look really nice when its all done. Add a background to that would make it feel more at home. Some fake plants just to add more life to it.

Sorry if I came up defensive, I'm just trying to get everything ready so my new gecko would feel happy when he arrives. I'm just going to get everything in storage until he grows then I'll bring everything else back. Until then I'm just going to use some repti carpet for the moment.

 

[SC Geckos]

He pooped on a piece of slate and I scraped, wiped with a moist towl,and dried the area with a heat lamp. I can't really afford to get rid of the sand because I'm fairly tight on cash after about 5 separate trips to the pet shop. I was thinking of disifecting the sand using an odd tequnique a friend of mine told me. He said to either boil the sand or soak it in water and vinager. Would this work? Or should I just use reptile carpet since the new gecko will be fairly young. Then should I just take everything out all together until he's a bit older and just use the hide and food dishes and just buy another hide and leave the moist hide out?

I will try to give advice one more time but in the end your gonna do what your gonna do. I dont mean to be rude, but this is becoming very redundant. Everything should be cleaned that was in contact with the sick gecko. The sand should be removed. If money is tight then replace the sand with paper towels. The leo will need a humid hide unless you want potential shed issues Last I would strongly recommend you read some more care sheets. I saw where you"did hours of research" but I would read it all again because all of your questions are answered in almost every care sheet out there.

 

[GodzillaGecko]

Its fine really but you really need to write this stuff down. We all have been giving you the answers but you have been constantly ignoring them and doing what you want anyway. We aren't telling you this for no good reason. I don't have my leos yet so whatever I'm telling you is from the pro's here that know what they are talking about. If I make a mistake they correct me and I have no issue with that. I'm not perfect. But I do know how to take care of a tank and keep it clean and safe. Your not doing any of that. Brad has pointed it out as I have in a old post. You get every answer from the caresheets. Now is the best time to read it all over, and change all the mistakes so when you get your gecko you won't have any issues what so ever.

I get really anal with how I keep my tank and do things once I learn the way to do it. If I make a mistake its on me not anyone else. If I have a question these kind wonderful people will answer it and help me. And I'm thankful I found this place otherwise I would be making all the stupid mistakes every new owner would make.

So pay attention man. Listen well, write this down, and paste it to the wall infront of you and know we're here to help. We're with you not against.