Finely sifted playsand is what you want, if you must use sand at all. Calcium based sands are known to have a high risk of causing impaction. Here is an article addressing substrates that are known to be a danger.

www.anapsid.org/substrates.html

Here is another article from the same source which takes an overall look at the most popular substrates, including the safer ones.

www.anapsid.org/substrates2.html

I suggest reading thoroughly through both so you can eductate yourself on all of them and from there make the choice you think is best.



Personally, I don't use sand at all. Though the risk of impaction can be greatly reduced by using sifted playsand rather than calcium based sand, and taking certain precautions can reduce it even more, it's still a risk that exists. That is enough for me to take the more conservative route and not use particle substrates at all. It doesn't look as "natural" but my lizards don't care, and I know they are safe.




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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)

0.1 kingsnake (Rio)

1.0 ferret (Playstation)

1.0 cat (Wally)

0.1 dog (Tima)

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