Reptile & Amphibian Forums

www.zoomed.com/html/repti_sand.php

I use this specific one:

I have heard lots about Substrate and just like when you are asking about food everyone contradicts each other because everyone has thier seperate opinion. I personally use childs play sand so that it encourages my beardie to dig and i personally think that a small intake of sand is better than eating bark and chips like some substrates are made from which can also produce mold. i would do a little bit of research and make your own mind up that is what i had to do for Subsrate and food.
Kay

yes i agree....some people don't like sand, some people don't like bark. I think that anything you use is fine. You can use reptisand if you have lots of money....if you like to save money, walmart sells a 25 pound bag of child play sand that works just as well as reptisand.
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a free range dragon is a happy dragon

oops....forgot to say that walmart sells their sand for like $2.50
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a free range dragon is a happy dragon

Some of the finer sands can get caught in the vent when they poo... Play sand is supposedly the safest of the particulate substrates.
-Drew
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Owned by:
1.2 bearded dragons - Legolas, Rosy, Miss Scarlet
0.1 Indonesian blue tongue skink - Sarah
1.0 reverse oketee corn snake - Bernard
1.0 ball python - Patrick
2.0 guinea pigs (I know, they're not herps!) - Punky, Jeepers

I think saying "anything you use is fine" is a bit of a dangerous comment. Certain substrates are definately not fine such as calci-sand. As far as the sand goes...how old is your beardie? If he is under a year then i would definately not use any sand at all, use a substrate he cannot injest such as shelf liner, linolium, indoor/outdoor carpet, paper towels, newspaper etc.. If he is over a year there are still health issues with sand, the main ones being sanatation and impaction. Do a search on this forum for sand, impaction or anything like that and read what people have said. There are pro's and cons to all substrates and the best thing to do is to be very educated about the substrates you are using and the substrtates you have the option to use so that you are making the best choice for your beardie.
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake
1.1 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Anerythristic Corn
0.0.1 Red Tegu
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

I've actually become very fond of Eco-Earth. It's cocoa nut fiber, and it makes a very pretty and functional substrate. Feng can now burrow when she likes(but not under anything excpet for the hidy hut) and it really doesn't stick to her food, so she really doesn't ingest any of it. I'm sure ppl have mixed reviews about it too.