Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The tiles I'm using in my tank are slightly smaller than the tank floor area; I have a 1.5-2.0cm gap on the sides. I want to fill the gaps with sand, so, is "Vita-sand" a good choice? Or should I go with the old "Repti-sand"?

Another question, when you do routine cleaning, I am worried that when I use a damp cloth to wipe the glass, the sand grains will adhere to the cloth and will scratch the glass surface?

I use long-strip type of tiles, see the gap:

I don't want them hang around thin gaps so I took away 1 strip, and lay that area with paper towel (that's how it is at the moment):

Yes, it looks really boring at the moment, so I decided I'll use sand to fill the gap and put more furnishing such as branches and stuff in it. However, my original intention was like this:

After breaking and sanding ALOT of tiles, and got myself cut here and there, I discovered that it doesn't work!! Its impossible to get the tiles to break into shapes I wish! Raaaaa!

I use tile. But mine is the type of tile you can cut to size so I had no problem.

If you do use sand I'd suggest a vitamin based sand, it decreases impaction chances and it also is good for the leo. Hopefully the leo just won't eat the sand on a regular basis.

If you do use sand and do regular cleaning it will stick to a damp cloth. So you can always move the gecko out of the cage completely and just take a vaccum to the inside and suck up the sand first. Then wipe the tiles then put new sand in there since you'd need to replace it anyways.
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2 mali uro's-Ares and Apollo
2 saharan uro's-Orion and Iris
2 bearded dragon-Hades and Draco
1 leo gecko-Kalypso
1 tokaye gecko-Sid Vicious
1 tarantula-Peter Parker
1 dog-cheeka
1 zebra finch-beeps
1 african gray parrot-keya
1 red headed parrot-pancho
And some fish

I use tiles and play sand. The gecko isn't going to ingest the sand unless it needs calcium. As long as you have calcium available it shouldn't bother with the sand, except to dig at it. I wouldn't bother spending the extra cash on the crap sand at the pet store because it DOES NOT reduce the risk of impaction. A leo can get impacted from a variety of things it eats. Leos are designed to pass small amounts of sand through their digestive tract, large amounts are a different story. The vita-sand stuff isn't any "better" or "worse" for your gecko than play sand, just more expensive.
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www.hullabalooherps.com

Gothra, did you score the tile before you tried to break it? it is like glass and if you score it first then break it the break should follow the score line. Also if you are just talking about routine and not deep cleaning maybe you should place the tile differently. Place one strip solid againt each side then spread the others with equal gaps, then fill gaps with sand. Just some ideas.
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Cheryl

I tried various methods, got my husband to score it for me, but the tile didn't even scratch (you know what, I think he did it on purpose, so he doesn't have to do all of it, lol). Also tried putting masking tape along the sides but still no help. Oh well, its difficult to get a tank to look natural and beautiful and safe and easy to clean...

I think you need a "wet saw" to cut tiles. Its the kind that has water running with the blade. Home Depot or Lowes should have one instore and might even cut them for you.

>>I tried various methods, got my husband to score it for me, but the tile didn't even scratch (you know what, I think he did it on purpose, so he doesn't have to do all of it, lol). Also tried putting masking tape along the sides but still no help. Oh well, its difficult to get a tank to look natural and beautiful and safe and easy to clean...
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0.1.0 Dumeril Boas
0.1.0 Kittens
0.0.1 Leopard Geckos

It rubs the lotion on it's skin.
Bleach, good to clean tanks. Ammonia, good to clean tanks. Bleach mixed with Ammonia, good to make ammonium chloride gas to kill you while your cleaning tanks.