Possible Substrate

[Ringo]

Hi I am thinking of getting a leopard gecko in the near future. I would like to have a natural looking environment when I get one and I was looking online at petsmart. I know everyone doesnt like the thoughts of using sand as a substrate for the fear of impaction. I came across this sand type of substrate and I would like to know your opinions of it or if anyone uses this type. It is called Vita-Sand made by ZooMed. Here is the link for it please take a look and tell me what you think. Thanks.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...amily&keepsr=1

[Argentra]

Sand of any kind, tho it is their natural substrate, just isn't any good for captive geckos. I kept my boy on it for years, and luckily he never got impacted...but he never really ate or gained weight like he should have, either. Now that I have switched him over to repti-carpet, he's plumped up very nicely.
Sand is also a B**** to clean and replace. Just too risky if you ask any gecko keeper.

I'm not sure about how other substrates are for leos, the one I hear most people use is newsprint or paper towels, but the one to answer this best would be Emily. She is the gecko guru.

[mlededee]

it is best stay away from sand altogether, regardless of the type of sand it is. here is my own personal experience with sand: http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=45900.

try something like ceramic tile in a naturalistic enclosure. it looks great, is easy to clean and transfers belly heat nicely.

[Argentra]

Ooo, never thought of tile. Are we talking about the glazed stuff or non-glazed? I have been wanting to find something new since Dapple's claws keep catching on the carpet fibers...

[mlededee]

non-glazed. they tend to have hard time on the glazed because it is slippery.

[Ringo]

Thanks I figured it wasnt good stuff but since it was made of calcium carbonate wasnt sure if it was really "sand" or a digestible substance. Im taking general chemistry in college now so I should know what calcium carbonate is but I think im gonna need to study a little more for my first test obviously lol. Tile sounds like a really good idea does it come in big sheets that can be cut to fit or do you have to piece them together? I assume you can get it at any Home Depot or Lowes store.

[mlededee]

yeah you can get it at home depot or lowes. it comes by the tile and you can have it cut to fit your tank.

[Argentra]

I figured you meant non glazed, but had to ask. I think that would be really cool...I'll go out and get some this weekend, see what he thinks of it. Thanks, Em, once again you give out the great gecko ideas.

[mlededee]

the tile suggestion was actually kristy's idea. that's what she uses and what i'm going to use eventually when i get around to getting some cut. right now i just use paper towels.

[Argentra]

Sweet. We'll both have to thank her for that, then. I've been wanting to find something that would look nice but still give traction and let him wear down those claws of his. I'll be taking him to my local herp expert soon for a general checkover, maybe they can TRY to clip them.