I'd change the substrate if I were you. Even if you change it to playsand [again not advised but better than calci sand]..I don't think your attitude of "oh well if it dies you can all say I told you so" is acceptable really, why put the animal at risk in the first place? Just change the substrate for the sake of your geckos health, please.

Nice viv by the way, well done .

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Im not saying my attitude is that if she dies owell. Ive posted numerous threads looking at peoples actual experience with sand as a substrate at i think 3, maybe 4 people had direct problems of impaction in comparison to the how many tens, maybe hundreds who dont have problems. People who have problems speak up, people who dont, dont tend to speak up. I seriously think the problems associated with sand as substrate are blown out of proportion. Ive seen zoo's, reputable reptile shops and other keepers use it. Should they all change?

Yes there is the question of 'why risk it?' But then isnt their risks associated with using heat mats within vivs, using bulbs etc. Im not going to molly coddle my reptiles, my leo likes to dig, im facilitating a natural behaviour which is enriching and i believe key to reduced stress and better quality of life in captive animals. Ive made a personal informed choice and will stick by it.

your viv looks fab.

But the reason that the people that dont have problems dont speak up is that they dont have problems cos they dont use sand.
I would say for your leos health take her off it but like you said its your choice and the decision would be on your concience

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People do use sand though, i have read it on here numerous times and they didnt post of any problems with impaction.

I would love to see a % mortality rate of leos kept on sand in comparison to other substrates to see how much of this was truly myth and rumour.

So if you leo dies of sand, you will just sit and go... "oh she's another onto that statistic that I looked at when people were advising me against sand"?

I dont think so, people who ignore their animals best interests, shouldnt be allowed them in the first place!

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Sand isn't a natural substrate.

In their natural habitat they would be on hard clay with a light dusting of sand, so no, it doesn't encourage natural behaviour.

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No im not saying shes a statistic! Maybe its my wording this evening but i thoroughly care about my leo, and dont believe simply because i have her on sand im ignoring her best interests.

I was mentioning the statistic as a purely scientific method of quantifying sands effects of leopard gecko mortality. Not that ive put mine on it as a experiment!

Matty - with the rocks that is the effect i am trying to achieve, its isnt 4 inches of sand its a rock base with sand used to fill in the gaps.

Hmm got the flames now lets bbq ome steak!

I'm not having a go mate & I'm sorry if that's the way it comes across. You know the facts though & I spose it's your decision at the end of the day, but personally I'd switch substrate. But as I say, it's up to you. I'ma leave this thread now, nice viv mate.

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Thankyou and im sorry if i came across that i thought you'd had a go, its me not you. Thanks for the compliment and the comments.

Ohhhh i like that bit of wood! =D I want some!

At the end of the day, the substrate is upto the owner, i got told by a local (and very experienced) reptile keeper that i could quite happily use calci sand as my substrate, but i personally just chose not to take the risk.

There are many breeders that have kept leos on sand successfully for many years but it's down to personal preference.

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