Sand Question

[MSG-KB]

Has anyone had better good luck with the WHITE sand and not the big color types? Or playground sand? this way they get to dig?

I have tile on the bottom of her tank and all the right lights and ext...

But my wife want some type of sand, Our is a large Juvenile, Body is about 8" with out the tail and is eating LG Crickets Easily with her greens and worms.

Just trying to find out if there is any sand that would be ok?

Thank You

MSG Kubias
RET

[I-KandyReptiles]

I thought sand wasnt recommended as it can become impacted.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I thought sand wasnt recommended as it can become impacted.

x2, sand just isn't in the best interest of the animal. Sure it can be used but it is worth the risk?

[wilomn]

Play sand is fine. Personal experience for many years. Retail experience for many years. Experience of other keepers related directly to me, for many years.

[Mike41793]

Play sand is fine. Personal experience for many years. Retail experience for many years. Experience of other keepers related directly to me, for many years.

Thats A LOT of years you got there...

[kitedemon]

I use a sand box for mine. It solves the impaction as he is not fed on it. The box in my case is raised off the 'floor' and is in the basking area. I use cleaned and baked play sand it is super fine and white.

You can see the raised box on the left side under his halogen lights this is the sand box. It has the added bonus of warming all day and staying warm over night. It is very slow to cool. He almost 100% of the time sleeps up there.
Hosted on Fotki

[jbabybulldog]

maybe try to compromise and use eco-earth. It's good for holding moisture as well. SORRY I thought you were looking for substrate for a ball python. forget my previous statement

[Dracoluna]

I use the white play sand you get at Home Depot, etc. Just bake it in the oven around 350 until completely heated through before using it. This kills off any little critters that might be lurking. Personally, I've used this for my dragons once they are at least 6 inches. They also eat on it and have never had an issue with impaction. If you're worried about it though, the sandbox idea mentioned above sounds like a great compromise even if it's not raised up like that. Then again, my guys always ate/eat pelleted food with the occasional treat of crickets so they aren't getting much sand anyways. The exception is when fruit and such (more treats) get dropped in the sand when she grabs them and then she eats them anyways. Still have had no issues and she's 12 y/o. They are a lot tougher than people give them credit for though in the wild, most are on a clay/sandy type area and not just loose sand. They still end up eating some, I'm sure.