Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sorry for posting so much, but I'm a new owner and trying to get all this straightened out. At the reptile show in Chicago here I got my gecko and I also bought a bag of cali-sand. This is the substrate that the breeder used to display them at the show and so I figured it was safe. Also I asked the person I bought the sand from if it caused impaction in geckos and her answer was no, not this kind. Well, but now I've heard that it can. My gecko is 1 year old and when I first put her in the cage, I noticed her stick her tongue out and lick the sand a couple times - haven't noticed it since but that doesn't mean she's not doing it. I am willing to switch - but I have a huge bag of the calcisand and it was expensive! I also like how easy it is to manage and how it looks - i don't think I could go with the paper towel/newspaper option. Any recommendations? Is this really dangerous to use until I finish the bag???

well... it all boils down to each individual leo. I have one that eats sand like its going out of style, and others that it doesn't seem to bother.
The one that ate sand had dusted crickets every day or other day, proper heat/hides etc, and a bowl of calcium available at all times. Some people will blame husbandry techniques for leos eating sand, but to me, some leos will eat it no matter what and some won't.

If you're bent on using the sand, just keep an eye on your leos poop. After it dries, break it apart and see exactly how much sand is in there. I had repti sand which is finer than calcisand and his poop was almost full of sand. Which brings me to my next idea, calcisand is much larger grained than repti sand, so it will probably do more damage passing through a leo than the finer sand.
As for it being "digestible" I believe it can also help neutralize stomach acids. Another reason not to use it.

anyways, it is ultimately your decision, nobody here can go to your house and force you to stop using it
just get lots of opinions/experiences from others and go from there
good luck!
-----

4.5 Leopard Geckos
1.0 Marbled Gecko
1.1 Red Eared Sliders
0.2 Siamese Mice

I believe that anytime you use a substrate that can be ingested you are taking a chance of possible impaction. It is safer for older, larger leos but it's not a sure thing that they won't ingest it. If you choose to leave the sand in you need to take a couple of steps reduce the chances. First leave a dish of calcium in with her at all times and feed from a bowl not the loose prey items. As for as calcisand not causing impaction that's alot of bunk, any sand can(not 100% it will but there is always a chance) cause impaction. I would suggest you switch to paper towels but the decision is yours.
-----
GO CUBS GO!!!!
Just my thoughts and opinions based on my experiences.
Jeremy Letkey

Of course the dealer is going to say that the sand is safe. He wants to sell it to you.
-----
chickabowwow

3.2 leopard geckos (Rosie, Locke, Lisa, Caesar, Tommy)
and 3 eggs a' cookin'

Thanks for the tips. Is it okay to use a substrate like lizard litter or reptile bark chips? I just don't think the paper towels would look too nice.

You take the same chances with either of those options.
-----
GO CUBS GO!!!!
Just my thoughts and opinions based on my experiences.
Jeremy Letkey

I use paper towels, but I put so much stuff in the tank anyway that it doesn't detract from the aesthetics. It's also easier to spot-clean and doesn't smell. I posted a picture here.

Another option is to use slate tiles purchased from Home Depot. I know some other people here use them, and they look great.

Don't use bark chips or any other wood matter. Not only is there the risk of impaction, but it would probably hold in too much moisture and cause bacteria to grow.

-----
chickabowwow

3.2 leopard geckos (Rosie, Locke, Lisa, Caesar, Tommy)
and 3 eggs a' cookin'

.

-----
chickabowwow

3.2 leopard geckos (Rosie, Locke, Lisa, Caesar, Tommy)
and 3 eggs a' cookin'

That looks really good. What size tank is that?

np
-----
chickabowwow

3.2 leopard geckos (Rosie, Locke, Lisa, Caesar, Tommy)
and 3 eggs a' cookin'

Okay...okay I have changed. Papertowels it is. Thanks for the pic of your tank! It definitely helped to see how it can be made to look nice even with the paper towels. The slate is a great idea too. Is the slate hard to clean?

I've never used tiles, but I don't think they'd be hard to clean. It's definitely easier than some of your other choices out there. Paper towels are easy though. Once you figure out where their bathroom is, you just put an extra patch of paper towel there so you can pick it up to throw away, instead of having to replace the entire layer.
-----
chickabowwow

3.2 leopard geckos (Rosie, Locke, Lisa, Caesar, Tommy)
and 3 eggs a' cookin'