Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm looking into adopting a leopard gecko and I was wondering if "vita-sand" is an acceptable substrate.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTprd_id=845524441781140&FOLDERfolder_id=2534374302030043&ASSORTMENTast_id=2534374302023694&bmUID=1093855644345

I'll probably have lots of other questions along the way, but that's all I can think of right now. Thanks!

-Jordan

>>I'm looking into adopting a leopard gecko and I was wondering if "vita-sand" is an acceptable substrate.
>>
>>http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTprd_id=845524441781140&FOLDERfolder_id=2534374302030043&ASSORTMENTast_id=2534374302023694&bmUID=1093855644345
>>
>>I'll probably have lots of other questions along the way, but that's all I can think of right now. Thanks!
>>
>>
>>-Jordan

Just do yourself a favor and avoid the whole sand as a substrate thing, regardless of any (unregulated) commercial claim.
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Brian Skibinski
Brian@MilwaukeeReptiles.com
WYSIWYG

I agree with the statement above. It's been a subject that has been brought up may times, and I myself don't think sand is a good idea for many reasons. I would do tile or papertowel. All 23 of my leos are on papertowel for right now. Hope this helps you some.

Rhonda

Thank you, all of your opinions are valued.

I think I'll just go with paper towels for now - seems easier and safer - as much as i like the idea of a pretty habitat.

compare it to calci sand. the grains are alot smaller. if your ganna use sand, make it vita sand. in my leo cages i use half clay tile, and the other half is vita sand, but its only as deep as the tile. its a very thin layer. sand is safe as long as you use it properly. make it a very thin layer, and make sure the leo isnt eating it all the time. yes they do taist by licking every thing, but just make sure theyre not eating directly. DO NOT poor 2 inches on the floor of the tank.
hope this helps
nevin
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.1. green tree python-bates
1.1 brazilian rainbow baos-peace&chaos (rip sunshine)
2.1 leopard geckos-killer, narvana, sallean,
1.1 blizzerd lizzard-grim
.1 bell leopard gecko-ecstacy
.1 tremper leopard gecko-euphoria
.2. amazon tree boas-sweetness&carnage
0.1.0 kenyan sand boa-stimpy R.I.P.
0.1.0 bearded dragon-blaze
1.0.0 uromastyx-chubby
2 green Dendrobates auratus-zoate, stricnine
.1 terquise Dendrobates auratus-acid
.1 blue Dendrobates auratus-toxic
.2. phyllobates terribilis-cyanide, arsenic.
2.0 brothers
0.2 sisters
3 cats-fat max, spiderman, &toby
1 miniture mutt-brutis
.1. green iguana-bruce
"dont be afraid to die, only be afraid to not live"

"dont become classified. if you are nothing, then you can be anything."

if you want something that'll look nice petsmart has on their website reptile turf. i think i got enough for a 55 gallon tank for 6 bucks, a heck of alot cheaper than what the petsmart store wanted to charge me

make sure its turned upside down. the bottom is wound tighter then the top. and the top can get the toes and tail cought up, and torn off.
nevin
-----
.1. green tree python-bates
1.1 brazilian rainbow baos-peace&chaos (rip sunshine)
2.1 leopard geckos-killer, narvana, sallean,
1.1 blizzerd lizzard-grim
.1 bell leopard gecko-ecstacy
.1 tremper leopard gecko-euphoria
.2. amazon tree boas-sweetness&carnage
0.1.0 kenyan sand boa-stimpy R.I.P.
0.1.0 bearded dragon-blaze
1.0.0 uromastyx-chubby
2 green Dendrobates auratus-zoate, stricnine
.1 terquise Dendrobates auratus-acid
.1 blue Dendrobates auratus-toxic
.2. phyllobates terribilis-cyanide, arsenic.
2.0 brothers
0.2 sisters
3 cats-fat max, spiderman, &toby
1 miniture mutt-brutis
.1. green iguana-bruce
"dont be afraid to die, only be afraid to not live"

"dont become classified. if you are nothing, then you can be anything."

doesn't washing it get all those little fibers off? my little guy hasn't had any trouble yet...

im not saying its a sure thing, its just one of those unexpected problems. washing doesnt get rid of it. just flip it up side down, and its a sure thing youll be safe. like i said, its not deff ganna happen, it just may 4 years down the road.
nevin
-----
.1. green tree python-bates
1.1 brazilian rainbow baos-peace&chaos (rip sunshine)
2.1 leopard geckos-killer, narvana, sallean,
1.1 blizzerd lizzard-grim
.1 bell leopard gecko-ecstacy
.1 tremper leopard gecko-euphoria
.2. amazon tree boas-sweetness&carnage
0.1.0 kenyan sand boa-stimpy R.I.P.
0.1.0 bearded dragon-blaze
1.0.0 uromastyx-chubby
2 green Dendrobates auratus-zoate, stricnine
.1 terquise Dendrobates auratus-acid
.1 blue Dendrobates auratus-toxic
.2. phyllobates terribilis-cyanide, arsenic
.1. pacman frog- MR belly
.1. green iguana-bruce
2.0 brothers
0.2 sisters
3 cats-fat max, spiderman, &toby
1 miniture mutt-brutis
"dont be afraid to die, only be afraid to not live"

"dont become classified. if you are nothing, then you can be anything."