Play sand for beardies

[koubee]

I've put a tub of sand into my beardies set up and was wondering if kids sand pit sand is the same as the stuff you can buy from the stores for reptile substrate?

[SnakeWrangler]

I don't know if its the same but if it was sold for use in a kids sandpit then it should be safe to use, just make sure you wash, sift and bake it to remove and potential pests. I use it for my beardie and he is fine so far.

[instarnett]

We use a tub of sandpit sand for laying eggs in but not as substrate.
sand tends to be a pain in butt, gets into everything, water, on food, in glass door tracks etc. we use euclyptus mulch for substrate.

[OuZo]

The only substrate I use for my Beardies is normal sand you buy in the big bags from Bunnings - I think it's sandpit sand but not 100% sure. No washing, sifting and definately no baking lol. They're fine and love to dig around in it as you can see:



It definately does get into tracking though - be prepared for the screeching noise as you open the doors lol. I usually feed my beardies the beardie pellets in a fairly deep container so sand usually doesn't make it onto it which is good

[instarnett]

Looks like aquarium sand zoe. Your beardy seems to be enjoying himself!
Sound of sand in tracking is like fingernails on a chalk board, I hate it!

[OuZo]

Would Bunnings sell aquarium sand though? That sand was wet as I'd just put it in from a new bag and it's always damp when you buy it. I know in the past I've bought one from them which was labelled sandpit sand but this one was a different brand. Either way it dries perfect unlike others I've bought which ended up with gravel in them

And yes, he was having a ball

[instarnett]

Yeah, sometimes called river sand Zoe. Sandpit sand is yellow stuff from the beach etc that definately needs cleaning first!
They can be messy buggers cant they!

[hornet]

is the co**** river sand you buy from landscaping places of for my beardies?

[koubee]

i just put it straight in there from the bag, i think i'll take it out and sift it as it has a few small rocks in it on closer inspection.
Loki, isn't very interested in the sand, she got in there and was tasting it and just generally looking around, but no digging or anything. Hope she will start playing in it. (after sifting it).

[OuZo]

I would wait til it dries before you sift it (assuming it's the same as mine and wet in the bag) as it's impossible to sift wet!

[koubee]

discovered it is impossible to sift whilst damp, must've been having a blonde moment :roll:
Not too many rocks, i've picked most out by hand.
How can i get her to be intrested in it?

[Magpie]

I keep mine on gold dust, it's sterile and chemically inert.






















Truly.. pick the rocks out if they bother you. Sand is sand is sand. Use what you like, just don't treat it with DDT to keep the mites out. She'll dig when and if she wants to. I have 3 ackies, only one of them digs usually.