Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[tonymc]

Hi all,

I am currently using kids playsand in my vivarium with the calci sand ontop. Is this ok to do?

Also i pick up his droppings every day, but when do you reccommend a complete cleanout?

cheers, tony

[Scott W]

I use a Calcium sand (fine lime stone grit). I sieve it twice a week and replace it every 1 to 2 months depending on number of beardeds in the cage.
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Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

[Si]

I've never had any probs with playsand, but cleaning wise Ido the same as Scott.
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[jim_radley]

I use Bird sand, it's even finer than play sand and very smooth, so won't cause abbrasions to toes as calci-sand which is a crushed rock. It comes with small pieces of oyster shell which used to give birds extra calcium. You can sieve it out if you're worried about it causing a impaction. I use it for my Baja's and Desert horned lizards. The good thing with sand is that as Scott said, you can easily clean it. It costs £1 - £2 per per kilo depending where you get it.

[Stuart]

I too used to use kids playsand for my beardies when I kept them..I used to bake it in th eoven when we first got it as it used to be soaking wet normally!

[tonymc]

Thanks eveyone for your advice.

Stuart, how long did you bake it the oven for and how on earth did you manage it. Im going to need a lot for a 4 foot viv.

[Stuart]

It took a lot of baking trays and an understanding mrs..lol..My viv was also 4x2x2..basically just left it in there until it had dried out..if the sand is moist you can see it change colour as its drying..just used to give it a good stir until it was thoroughly dried throughout.Then let it cool as it was red hot to the touch...it doesnt take as long as you'd think with some large trays.

[tonymc]

cheers stuart, also we have a concern about where to have the uv light. We have heard it has to be within 12 inches of our bd at all times. Is this right?

[Stuart]

Yes with the tube lights..I would maybe consider getting a powersun..although more expensive they last a lot longer and the reptile doesn't need to be as close to benefit..I would use a 100watt for a 4ft viv that will give you a nice hot basking spot and maybe a ceramic on a pulse stat for general background heat/nightime.

[tonymc]

thanks stuart. Do normal reptlie shops sell these? Or do you know a good website i can get one?