Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I've been keeping my bearded dragon on washed/screened playsand and have only one complaint, it's VERY dusty. After a major cleaning, it only takes about two weeks for a fine layer of dust to accumulate on the cage furnishings. Also, when I take Tanek out of her cage she too is covered in fine particulates. In the past I've used calcium carbonate "sand" products and found them to be even dustier, actually building up in the nostrils of my dragon. I haven't noticed this since switching to playsand and Tanek is now turning 8 years old with no noticeable decrease in activity, weight or appetite; so, I consider her to be quite healthy and happy. This dust problem, therefore, seems to be simply a cosmetic issue; masking my dragon's natural color and leading to a shabby looking cage.

In order to combat the dust, I've considered two plans of action. In the first option, I clean out my cage, add new sand, and spray it down liberally with water. After drying, I expect the sand to clump slightly and become more hard-packed and less dusty. Alternatively, I've thought about making up a playsand/potting soil mix, which may also be less dusty. Both of these methods, I feel, would curb the dust problem I'm experiencing and result in a more natural substrate (i.e. slightly harder, more substantial under foot, and more conducive to burrowing). I'm concerned that the potting soil may increase the humidity too much, though.

So, what do you think/which method do you prefer? I know many of you do not believe in using any particulate substrate at all, but I've had no problems and actually prefer sandy substrates for the cleaning ease and more natural environment. If you have any alternate suggestions I would love to read them.

Thanks,
Ethan

Here are two more pics.

-Ethan

Using untreated potting soil mixed with sand can work, but the humidity will be higher, especially if you wet the soil before or during mixing. If both are relatively dry, there shouldn't be any concern of humidity. However, you will have to pick through all the potting soil making sure there are no bits of bark, wood, rocks, or perlite mixed in.

One way that can control dust in the washed playsand is to 'wash' it again.

I personally see nothing appealing in the washed playsand myself, but that is my preference. Though safer than all that calcium stuff or crushed walnut, there is a risk of impaction from it. Not to mention it can become full of bacteria if not changed out regularly enough.

One thing I have heard other people doing that seems to work well for them is making a 'sandbox' for your bearded dragon. Creating a simple sandbox using either a low rubbermaid container big enough for your dragon it be inside without hanging over the edges, deep enough to hold 2-4 inches of sand but not so high your dragon can't get in or out of it (a ramp leaning against it or a large rock works well) could solve the problem. Your dragon will have a place to dig and you will have overall, less dust in your cage. The rest of the cage can be covered with newsprint, paper towel, non stick shelf liner etc.
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PHLdyPayne

Congrats on trying a more 'natural' substrate, although pure sand isn't very natural. I tried bringing this up on Repticzone and nearly got banned (now I am banned for bringing it up again, since I supposedly had intentions of upsetting people).

Anyway, how about using pure dirt from outside, or this mixed with sand? It is used exclusively with monitors and (sometimes) uromastyx. And as for the humidity, a quote from Pro Exotics: "No more dry, dehydrated cages, no more dry, dehydrated animals" (or to that effect). Many people have trouble keeping there animals hydrated, and have to soak them. This shouldn't be necessary. This comes from keeping animals in enclosures with exessive amounts of ventilation. Too much ventilation leads to a loss of heat and humidity and a dehydrated cage and animal. Now, you don't want it like a rainforest in there, but a little less than that in a subterranean burrow (where many desert animals spend most of their time). Besides, the soil will be fairly dry on the top, and won't raise the moisture too much. I wouldn't worry too much about the humidity. These animals live in the same area as acanthurus monitors, and people, including me, keep there cages with enough humidity that condensation occurs on the cooler end of the cage (it's good to allow the animals to regulate there humidity needs by offering a gradient, just like temperature).

By the way, if you are going to be using store-bought dirt, use top soil. Potting soil is all organic and man-made. It almost always has fertilizers and perlite in it. Topsoil is just a dark soil bagged up from a source somewhere (I suspect a riverbed).