Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We just got a 55 gallon tank for my daughter's dragon. She's been using paper towels for the small tank, but now we would like to use something else. Should we get sand, and if so, what kind. I read that we should use "washed playground" sand. Does that sound right?

Also, do I need a longer UV light now? The one we have is only 2' long and the tank is about twice that.

Thank you for your help.

Are they adults? If they are then Yes pre washed play sand should be okay. Unfortunately no substrate is perfect and people have had beardies get impacted and die from sand but it does seem to be lesser of the evils that are out on the market. If they are babies or juvies then I would stick with paper towels or better yet nothing at all

If it's an adult, sand would be fine but you do risk the chance of impaction (as the other post noted).

Sand that's no finer than #30 is fine (they sell them at home depot). Washed playsand is fine too~ Don't use calci-sand!

And the UV light should run the length of the tank. But, if you want to use what you have now and you can keep the temps right (basking spot b/w 100F - 115F & the cool side above 80F), then you should be okay. just make sure that all the lights reach the basking spot (space no greater than 10-12 inches).
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0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Cookie Monster)
1.0.0 Crested Gecko (Vas-D)
0.0.2 Fire Bellied Toads (Norman & Forman)
0.0.2 Goldfish (Lenny & Carl)
1.0.0 Black Lab / Pit Bull (Mikey)

I was using sand and i just took them off of it because it bacame a hassle to clean. It does look nice and it holds heat well but you just need to make sure you keep up on the cleaning. I just replaced the sand with indoor/outdoor carpeting from Lowes. Not the stuff that looks like grass, but the smooth carpeting.

Just another opinion and something else to consider.

Shannon