Reptile & Amphibian Forums

in the interest of procuring a non silica play sand i'm curios to hear the brands used by keepers that care for desert lizards, more specifically bearded dragons. if anyones in the new york area and can point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciate, but even if not, a brand is equally as useful. thank you for your time.

I use Sakrate brand natural play sand for mu dragons. I get it from Home Depot
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Jeff Kearney
Orlando, FL

1.0.0 Egyptian Uromastyx (Dino)
2.7.0 Bearded Dragons (Too many to name)
1.0.0 Mali Uromastyx (Rex)
2.2.0 Ball Python (Ali, Gator, Para, Medic)
0.1.1 Leopard Gecko (Layla, Nubbs, Iggy)
0.2.0 Fat-Tailed Gecko (Penelope, Brownie)
0.0.1 Corn Snake (Not sure yet)
0.0.2 Blue Phase Dumpys Tree Frog (Sticky, Squishy)

As far as I know nearly all, if not all, playsand is silica-based. There's an awful lot of misinformation about silica that stems from the discovery of potential hazards several years ago.

It was discovered that inhaling silica-based airborne particles (silica-based dust) could cause respiratory issues in some children. I'm not 100% positive but I believe that the U.S. govmt placed restrictions on all silica-based sand that requires silica-based sand to be "pre-washed".

All of the various brands of bagged playsand that I've seen have statements on the bag noting that it has been "pre-washed". I remember being concerned like you when I first got into Bearded Dragons a few years ago. I did a lot of research on it and the first time I used it I checked it for dust and there wasn't any. However, I still washed it a few times and dried it before using it.

I haven't washed another batch of it since. Over two years with the same 3 dragons and not the first problem. Don't get consumed by all the silica BS you read & hear about, people love to repeat things without checking them out for their self.

Just go and buy any pre-bagged playsand, wash it yourself if it makes you feel better (I don't mean that sarcastically to you). You can eat it, your dragons can eat it, and unless they consume vast amounts to the point of impaction, and it does take vast amounts, you won't have any problems with it.

I don't live in NY, I live in the Southeast, but I get my bags at one of the home improvement stores or Wal-Mart. The brand I have at the moment is "Premium Play Sand". They're all the same.

Have a good one & enjoy the dragons!

Later!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

I use the mixing sand for concrete, found at home depot in the concrete section. I think its by Sacrete or something, just like stated above in the first post. This is by far the nicest smoothest sand I have found anywhere. Beats every play sand I have used.

Someone posted here some time ago about sandblasting sand. Check that out sometime, the particles are somewhat large (for sand) and nicely rounded. Good stuff, less abrasive than playsand just as the mixing sand you spoke of is.
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Mark