Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm planning on getting either caclci or vita-sand as a substrate for my dragons terrarium. They're availible in 10lb bags and I was wondering if anyone had any idea how many bags I should get to put enough in the bottom of a 40 gallon breeder tank? I want to make sure I have enough to make a buffer between the dragon and the undertank heater.

I have heard alot of people not recomend either of the types of substarte unless only adult dragons. Impaction and sand injestion is a big risk for young ones.

Actually its not recommended at all...play sand is recommended...and a hell of alot cheaper...try that...also you can get a used tank pretty cheap. I found one with a hairline crack for free at craigslist.com also keep an eye out for garage sales...but i do find alot of stuff on craigslist

Easy question to answer. NONE. Calci-sand or any calcium based sands are notoriously bad for reptiles. Crushed walnut shells is also bad. The main reason they are not recommended is they greatly increase the chance of impaction in dragons, especially young dragons. In the case of crushed walnut shells, these can also damage the internal lining of the intestines.

Calcium sand is much too coarse to digest so it is not a benefit at all to the dragon. The fact it is made out of calcium also has the tendency to neutralize stomach acids, so if too much gets into the stomach (stuck on food, swollowed after dragon's lick things in their cage etc) it can make digestion difficult. It also tends to clump up as well, making blockages more likely.

For juveniles at least 10" in length snout to tail and older dragons, you can use washed sifted children's playsand. Though there is still a chance this can cause blockages, it is not as high as with calcium based sands. You can buy this at Walmart or most home builder supply stores for about $5 per 50 pounds.
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PHLdyPayne

As I am begging to understand that playsand would be better then the crushed wallnut stuff (i.e Lizard litter) for beardies?
It kinda makes me upset that companies would advertise a product that would be so harmfull.