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Q:
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Excavator sand, good or bad?
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I am asking this for a friend, mostly because she asked me and I was unsure.
I know someone who has been considering using Excavator Sand with her adult leopard geckos (8 inches, 50+ grams) as something that is more natural than the cage carpet that she is currently using. It seems like a fine idea, but recently I read about a bearded dragon that choked on a clump of the sand, basically the sand had formed a small ball of sorts and the bearded tried to eat it. So I am wondering if anyone has any reviews of the Excavator sand, whether or not it is safe.
Thanks!
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Member Comment
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8/19/2008 4:13:52 PM
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falcon
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I am not a gecko keeper but with snake you shouldnt use sand because they can ingest it and chock. So i guess its the same for gecko. I wouldnt try it
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Accepted Answer
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8/19/2008 6:26:24 PM
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herpboyfla
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Excavator isn't sand, it's a clay of sorts. You completely drench it it, put any sort of tube or cup in it to create a hollowed out area, then when it dries, pull whatever you put in out and a burrow is formed. I don't see how any could get ingested, it's a pain in the rear to clean out because it's so compacted.
I use it for scorpions. I mix about half sand and excavator, stick a hose in it for a few seconds, make one side steeper than the other. then I take a flat rock into the sode of the steeper end and make a small burrow underneath the rock. They then go under this and start scraping away, making it deeper and deeper. I've got one scorp who's actually made a complete system of tunnels on the bottom of the enclosure.
I use it for my Cyrtopodium geckos also. I linked thin tubes together, then molded the excavator around it. After this dried, I dumped sand in the rest of the cage.
for my leos though, I don't think I'd use it. It's kind of expensive if I remember correctly, and leos are pretty big as far as geckos go so it'd take a lot to fill a 15-20 gallon tank. as far as it being a good substitute for natural substrate, it's be pretty good. If one does decide to use it, It would be cool to bury a ceramic hide box to similate their natural burrows.
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Author Comment
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8/19/2008 6:41:50 PM
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erikapi
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Thanks, I think she is considering even doing a section of the tank with it and using the long thin balloons to create tunnels (once it dries pop the balloon and remove).
With the sand/Excavator mix does it still hold tunnels well? It may be something that would be somewhat cheaper and still work.
I will pass on the info and let her decide what she wants to do. Any other reviews/comments would be great. Thanks!
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Member Comment
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8/19/2008 6:46:17 PM
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FyreFocks
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Ive never tried it and probably wouldnt ever. Ive had issues with leos on anything other than paper towels. Maybe just my luck. Or pet store mishaps...Im curious to see what everyone else thinks as well.
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Member Comment
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8/19/2008 7:23:12 PM
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herpboyfla
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Yea the tunnels hold great. With all the digging a lot of loose stuff comes up on top though. This is easily cleared up with a vacuum hose.
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Member Comment
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8/20/2008 12:28:16 AM
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Kaiyudsai
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It's a mix of fine silt and kaolinite clay..... Just don't use it for species that require alot of humidity... the Koalinite has a high affinity for water and will zap the moisture out of your enclosure
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Member Comment
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8/21/2008 10:52:03 AM
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Chris Behof
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i imagine you could make your own for much cheaper...i think pro exotics has a good recipe.
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Member Comment
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8/27/2011 3:33:09 PM
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lillith
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I've looked for the Pro Exotics recipe, is it hiding on their site somewhere?
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