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Tony Nache asked in PetsReptiles · 9 years ago

Leopard Geckos.. Amount of Sand to use, and ext..?

I started using calcium sand for my "now" 2 adult Leopard Geckos... And I was just wondering how much sand to use. I have a sun-glow lamp, and an undertank heater for the warm side. The only problem is that I don't how much sand to use on the warm side as the heat from under the tank makes it pretty hot. So the more sand I use, will it be tend to cool down and reach the right temperature? And also, I have 3 hides for my Geckos, and I placed the humid hide on the cool side. The other hides are in the middle of the tank, and the warm side. Can somebody help me shed some light on the subject? Thanks :)

3 Answers

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  • Ganal
    Lv 7
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    None, sand is not a safe substrate and should not be used. Leopard geckos do not live on sand in the wild and cannot digest it. Calcium sand is far worse than normal sand as it is not really sand and due to the added calcium the gecko will eat it on propose which results in more ingestion. This as a result can cause impaction and if its not treated right away death. Sand can also cause eye infections, breathing problems, shedding problems, skin irritation, and colored sand and dye the skin. If you must use sand use a washed children's play sand. I highly suggest you switch to slate tiles which are more natural for the gecko and far safer. Sand can be used under the tiles to prevent them from getting too hot and between the tiles.

    Source(s): I have 3 leopard geckos on slate tiles (each used to be on either sand or ground walnut shells and all had problems)
  • ?
    Lv 4
    9 years ago

    Ganal pretty much covered everything of why NOT to use sand. Sand is terrible and can be ingested and cause impaction and result in death. Please use a safe substrate like reptile carpet or slate tiles. For the UTH you can buy a thermostat or a light dimmer to control the temp if it isnt sutiable.

    Source(s): I have 1 leopard gecko
  • ?
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    in case you insist on making use of sand, playsand is the ideal.. yet no longer organic. i don't be responsive to the place to procure your info, however the sand they proceed to exist is extremely little. there is a few unfastened over the stressful clay, rocks, etc. no longer sand dunes. purely seem at their ft! those at the instant are not meant for sand, they are meant for mountain climbing rocks. Calcium sand WILL ultimately reason impaction. maximum impactions do no longer happen acutely (without warning). by the years, the calcium crystallizes interior the intestines and starts off to reason a blockage. this would take years of eating in elementary terms some debris at a time. Even ask T-rex! they're going to admit it reasons impactions. additionally, did any of you be responsive to it used for use for birds, yet led to maximum of deaths, they stopped advertising it. with reference to the "undemanding to bathe" section? valuable, you will scoop out poop, yet you're leaving extremely some micro organism interior the tank from the moisture of the feces and urates. So except you're taking a brilliant factor to the sand out with the poop, it is no longer clean. Now think of those grimy debris getting interior the water... gecko eating the water. it is purely no longer incredibly worth it. Slate tiles or non-slick ceramics will run you from approximately 60 cents to $3 a chew. They final for YEARS. Sand would desire to ideally be replaced as quickly as a month... and you would be spending $10 on calcium sand and a couple of dollars on playsand. IMO, tiles seem better, are lots extra sanitary and lots extra organic. And any good herp vet assist you to be responsive to in elementary terms that. Sand isn't secure. Ever.

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