Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi y'all, I've watched these forum's a long time and finally decided to chime in.

I've alway's stuck w/brown paper, or aspen for all my herp's. But I wanna set up a show tank for Leo's, that has some type of loose substrate. (functional, yet appealing..) Has anyone ever used crushed walnut shell as a substrate? Or do you have a personal favorite that would apply?? I am concerned about possible impaction issue's it might cause(like sand), or if there could be tanin's present in the walnut shell's that might build up like cedar...

I'd really appreciate any input or personal experience you guy's could pass my way, Thx!!

How fine grain is the walnut shell? Personally, I would go to sand if you want to use a loose substrate. I believe any loose substrate can cause impaction, but correct me if I'm wrong. If you want to go loose, use Repti Sand. Its a bit more expensive, but if you look at it under a low-power microscope, you will see the sand grains are almost round, as opposed to jagged, so they pass eaiser. Washed fine grain playground sand should work, too, though I have never tried it. I'm sure you've allready heard, but dont use Calci sand. I have used Repti sand for four years, and have never had a problem with it. Still, bust not to use it on juviniles.

Ya, I've heard of a lot problem's w/Calci Sand. And decided not to go near the stuff, at all. Do you prefer Repti-Sand vs. play ground sand because of appearance? Or particle size?

The walnut shell substrate I was looking at is put out by "Kaytee" for parrot's and other bird's. I've observed that people like to separate their bird's from it w/ a grid to prevent injestion. But Hornbills are messy eater's, and the same might be prefered for most bird's using a substrate. Herp's like leo's are already digesting large amount's of chitin, or sm. prey animal's. So I wasn't as concerned as I would be for a bird. The particle's are about 1-2mm, but are not rounded at all. I was wondering if it might have some advantage's over sand. But w/large particle size maybe I should just not risk impaction...

Anybody else have favorite's, other than sand?? Sorry 'bout the long post and thx guy's.

Hour's after my last post. I came across a substrate called Lizard Litter-Desert Blend. And it also appear's to be made entirely out of walnut shell's... Has anyone tried this stuff?? Or is this another case of bad marketing. Like Calci-Sand....

Thanx

I've always used a type of fine grain sand that I get at Home Depot. It used to be called silica sand, but now I just recognize it by it's color and fineness. It's extremely fine grain and is stark white. It looks great, is easy to clean, and even if your leos eat it, it passes right through with no damage. I keep my leos, dragon, and uromastyx on it and never had any problems with it. I would recomend heating it in the oven first though before you put it in the tank because I have seen small black insects in it at times. The baking takes care of them though.

Oh, and the lizard litter desert blend is horrible. I used it when I got my first geckos. It caused problems with my leos and my golden gecko's feet. They had blister like stuff forming on their feet and when I asked my vet, he said to switch to the sand substrate for the leos. When I did, it cleared up in a week.

Thank's you two.
That's good to know about the Home Depot sand, sound's like the middle ground I was looking for. I'm gonna check that out today.
Best part about these forum's is, I can bounce idea's off people w/rl exp. and not chance it w/my herp's..
Thank's again for the good input...

Off Topic...
I'm really bummed cause an H.Lividum (Blue Cobalt Tarantula)
I rescued didn't make it... :`[ grrr....

Ok i've heard that chopped up wal-nut shells can expand and cause some blockage. Also it can cut up you geckos digestive track. If your looking for loose nice looking substrate difiently got for extremely FINE grain sand, or if you wanna be safe i've heard reptile bark is good(but crickets hide pretty well in it)