Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have recently gotten a new tank. At least 80 gallon, but I think it is a 90 gallon. I want to make a complete new habitat for them, using some sort of desert look. Using Vita Sand, which I heard great things about. But I need help with the desert look, cause all I have so far are about 200 pounds of sand, and I just have no clue how to shape it.
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-_^

First, all my leopard geckos are on paper towels and I haven't used the following method myself, but it has been recommended to me and posted on this board a couple of times. I don't remember who first suggested it, so if that person is reading this please post your name so I can give you due credit!

Try this in a small amound before doing the whole 200 lbs!

When you add water to sand and it then dries out, it hardens and holds shapes such as hills and valleys. The sand becomes hard and is no longer acts as individual grains (except for a light scattering of loose sand granules in some places). Leos can dig in it and it's not supposed to collapse.

I've also heard of a blend of sand, peat moss, and clay kitty litter.

Proexotics has posted some information about the substrate they use for monitors and uromastics. That substrate is not so much moldeable as burrowable, if that's a word.

Please test any of the above yourself before letting your leos find out about its reliability!

Also, if you keep plants in their pots but apply a light layer of the substrate on top, the plants do better and still look natural.

Last thought: keep calcium and/or minerall in there at all times. Well supplemented leos seem less likely to deliberately lick sand repeatedly.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes, if you would. I am writing this assuming you are talking about adult leos. Young ones are in much more danger of impaction on sand.
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Andrea A.

Wait a minute, is vitasand the sand that's enriched with calcium and minerals? If it is, wouldn't a leopard gecko be more inclined to ingest it on purpose to meet nutritional needs? Ack, well it seems to me that it would actually increase the possibility of impaction .... but that's theory, I know of no one who uses it.

Does anyone on the board use vitasand? Have any solid information on it?
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Andrea A.

I heard the same thing. i wouldnt recommend using vitasand for that reason- the stuff totally reeks of vitamins and I would think it would make the geckos a lot more prone to eating it. (my friend uses it in all her gecko tanks and rack systems...her entire apartment smells strongly of vitamins). If you have a tank thats that big, i would go with the washed and filtered playsand you can get at home depot or toys r us. Its much cheaper, and not any mor or less safe than regular reptisand. Good luck!
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~Melissa~
1.3 Leopard geckos
1.0 Bearded dragon
1.0 Hog Island Boa
0.0.1 crested gecko
1.0 Ferret
0.1 Chinchilla
1.0 Chinese Praying Mantis

Melissas Menagerie

I agree. I almost got high with vitamins after using that product.

Nausiating.

M.N

It works just like andrea says.....the best type to use is playground sand from walmart or agway... it says itsd already sterilized but i baked it anyway to be safe then i put it in a rubbermaid container and pured some hot water over it so it stuck together and then put it in the tank and pressed it down firmly and let it dry....then i set up the tank and added the geck and wala! it was all finished....its very hard except for a small layer of loose sand here and there...once it starts to lossen up just spray with water and push it back down...i havent had any problems yet so far.
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-Bryan

>>It works just like andrea says.....the best type to use is playground sand from walmart or agway... it says itsd already sterilized but i baked it anyway to be safe then i put it in a rubbermaid container and pured some hot water over it so it stuck together and then put it in the tank and pressed it down firmly and let it dry....then i set up the tank and added the geck and wala! it was all finished....its very hard except for a small layer of loose sand here and there...once it starts to lossen up just spray with water and push it back down...i havent had any problems yet so far.
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>>-Bryan
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Andrea A.