• Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

    =====================
    Posted 08/15/2025
    =====================


    Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.

    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

    Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....

    =====================
    Addendum: 01/10/2026
    =====================


    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

Sand as Substrate

kellysballs

kellysballs

New member
Joined
Aug 30, 2006
Messages
442
Reaction score
18
Points
0
Age
46
Location
Daytona Beach, FL
Hi guys,
I picked up a tiny beardie at the Datona Repitle show this year and he is to big for a 10gallon tank now. I have a 55 gallon empty and clean, I am just wondering how everyone feels about the different sands that are available as substrate? Repti Sand, Cali Sand, Play Ground Sand. I just am not sure which to use or if I should not put him on sand at all. I have read that it can cause them to get bound up. I dont want to hurt him but I do want to move him over with in the week, so any info or personal experiences would be greatly apprieciated.
Thanks for you time,

Kelly

PS here is a little picture of my Spike. This photo is 2 months old.
 

Attachments

  • beardie1.jpg
    beardie1.jpg
    3.1 KB · Views: 127
Using sand can lead to impaction where they might become paralyzed or even die
 
That sounds good, I can put him on paper towels. I just really like the look of sand. What age would you suggest moving him over to sand, and what type would you suggest?
 
I moved over to sand and then took it out. They say you can use washed, screened playsand you get from a Lowe's or homedepot or any home improvement place. I forget what age, but to let you know it gets all over the place and it retains smells. I picked up their feces as soon as I saw it. Unfortunately it did not matter, it still smelled. I went back to paper towel and then tile. It was easy to clean and no mess. But in the long run its your decision.
 
I use tile - nice looking and no risk of impaction. I went the sand route and it was gross. Try sifting the sand after several days, even if you think you are getting all the poop, you will be shocked by the mess you will find!

Jamie
 
I have been using sand for my beardie since I got him - when he was about 2 months old- without a problem.
I use children's play pit sand washed and then dried out thoroughly in the oven, replaced every 2 weeks.
I don't find it smells if you get rid of poo right away (I dig it out with a spoon! ) as long as you have a well ventilated enclosure.

Paper towels should work fine but what about crickets hiding underneath? Or do you dampen them first. I never thought of using those but I will definitely think of putting tiles in when I build my beradie's new tank next year

Good luck!

Nat
 
Technically speaking, you can change to sand once the dragon is old enough that it is able to reliably catch its live food (and not end up with a mouthful of sand instead) and only so long as it doesn't then try to eat the sand (which some dragons do - these dragons can never be kept on sand). This generally happens when the dragon is nearing adulthood. If you do go that route then definately go with the washed and sifted playsand. The sands sold at the petstore are crazy expensive and some of them are just plain dangerous (calcisand is one). While sand looks nice, I dont' care for it personally. You have the hassle of replacing it entirely every couple of weeks and it can be difficult to keep clean. I use tile and love it. You only have to buy it once, there are a variety of looks to choose from and it's a breeze to keep clean.
 
What type of tile?

What type of tile are you talking about using? Ceramic,vinyl....Do you attach it or loose lay it?? I'm a new "Beardie". I've been reading all the posts for beardie education :ack2:
 
You can use either textured ceramic tiles (something they can get a grip on) or slate tiles. You cut them to fit the tank and then just lay them in without grouting them down or anything. That way you can pull them out and put them through the dishwasher when you you do a complete scrub down of the tank for easy cleaning :)
 
I've gotta try the tile!

I don't like sand...to messy. I don't like paper towels...crickets hide! So I'm going for the tile and see how that works. :D
 
Back
Top