Calci Sand

[Ssthisto]

Originally Posted by GRB

One of my friends is considering using it. I think it's a difficult matter - there are countless people on both sides saying that they have had/have not had problems with it. I know some people swear by it.

It makes me wonder (with no real reptile expertise) how these animals survive in the wild - surely gut impaction must be relatively common in the wild? Or do they only eat substrate in captivity (poor diet)? I'm confused tbh.

I would not be surprised if there are deaths attributable to impaction in the wild.

However... part of the problem is that having a lot of loose sand in a vivarium does not closely replicate leopard geckos' home environment - they may be desert animals, but desert is not the same thing as "sand dune". Leopard geckos aren't built like sand dune lizards - but they are built like hardpan rock-crevice lizards. Having an inch or so of loose sand over the entire bottom of the cage is much more like a sand dune than like the natural concrete with sand drifted in the hollows that a leopard gecko would normally live on.

I don't swear by it. Swear AT it (and the companies that include it in their starter kits) for sure...

[Faith]

Originally Posted by GRB

One of my friends is considering using it. I think it's a difficult matter - there are countless people on both sides saying that they have had/have not had problems with it. I know some people swear by it.

It makes me wonder (with no real reptile expertise) how these animals survive in the wild - surely gut impaction must be relatively common in the wild? Or do they only eat substrate in captivity (poor diet)? I'm confused tbh.

Show them the pic in the thread and tell them thats what is likely to happen!
Tbh as ssthisto has said there is no way that they would have that much sand in the wild and although its likely some would die of impactation we wouldnt be able to monitor the numbers.
Leopard Gecko

^ just one of the many care sheets that recomend sand as well as on on our lovely friends website called the rspca also recomend sand

[geckomad]

what substrate or land type would suggest for leos then? i mean people think that lynos too plain, but it IS the safest possible thing for em, unless theyr elergic or something.... but ive heard something about a 1 cup of sand to 2 cups of soil thing....

[Faith]

Originally Posted by geckomad

what substrate or land type would suggest for leos then? i mean people think that lynos too plain, but it IS the safest possible thing for em, unless theyr elergic or something.... but ive heard something about a 1 cup of sand to 2 cups of soil thing....

A lot of people use the sand soil mix (we used to 1/2 a cup of sand 2 cups of top soil untreated) but as most of ours are in tubs or in the viv stack we only use kitchen roll at the moment
If your talking about for a viv then why not try the wood flooring or some people have even used the grout ( tile grout) and then sealed it to make a rock like effect

[Scales and Fangs]

Calcium Substrate
Ideal substrate for keeping lizards, snakes and tortoises. If eaten by the pets, it is not only non-harmful but actually promotes bone growth. The calcium is of 100% organic origin. Available in two sizes and three colours.

The above has been cut and paste from a supplier of reptile and aquatic equipment, I ordered one lot of stuff from them (not the Calci Sand) and they now wonder why I dont buy their stuff anymore!!!

[geckomad]

i wonder if there's reptile soil.... lol. can you just get rocks, treat em, put em in one corner and then use the soil/sand mix? isnt there still a risk of impaction?

[Faith]

Originally Posted by geckomad

i wonder if there's reptile soil.... lol. can you just get rocks, treat em, put em in one corner and then use the soil/sand mix? isnt there still a risk of impaction?

There is a risk of impactation with any substrate.
There is a tortoise soil which is recomended for all kinds of reptiles,
But you could use rocks (as long as they are smooth not to sharp)
and then use un treated top soil can get it from B&Q about £2.99 a bag
and if you are going to use sand use childs play sand. To mix with the soil

[geckomad]

yeah im trying to get ahold of a cheap but well made wooden viv first, so i can set up a proper home

[geckomad]

i thought of using sand, i had actually got it in the viv, but then everyone shouted at me so i kind of put lino over the top of it. then i scrapped that idea and put my gecko in a tub. now im trying to get a proper viv.

[Faith]

Originally Posted by geckomad

i thought of using sand, i had actually got it in the viv, but then everyone shouted at me so i kind of put lino over the top of it. then i scrapped that idea and put my gecko in a tub. now im trying to get a proper viv.

Tubs are fine for leos we keep ours in tubs
as long as you have a heat mat on a stat under the tub your leo will be fine