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Sand as substrate?

Bug22baby

Bug22baby

Snakes and more Snakes
Well Im a new corn snake owner and I was at the pet store one day and saw this substrate its like calcium sand for reptiles includeing snakes its suppose to be digestible and stuff so I tryed it since the purple color was cool and gave the viv a nice color. I seem to like it cause the stuff clumps around the poo and its easy to spot and clean. I was just wondering if anyone has used this before and if its healthy? Thanks Amanda
 
The sands been removed and replaced with paper towel and repti bark. Best not to take any chances. Thanks for posting. Amanda
 
I have seen an advertisement for that stuff and it seems good. You would not have to worry about impaction because it is made out of digestible calcium, so it is actually healthy if they ingest it.

I believe that they are also round and smooth, so it could not get inbetween their scales and hurt them.

Maybe I'm not talking about the same stuff, but it would probably be a good substrate.
 
I wouldn't.

There are tons of things mismarked in this world we live in, simply to make the sale. As said in the linked thread, sand is not a natual substrate for them.

Mattsnake:

In the linked thread, you said bad, bad, bad. In your responce here you said sounds good. lol Just curious of your change of opinion.

Just my $0.02,

Quigs
 
Regular sand, like you would use for bearded dragons should never be used with a corn snake.

I found the commercial I saw, it's called CarbiSea Reptilite.

"CarbiSea Reptilite is a unique calcium carbonate substrate that is great for most reptiles. Edible and digestible, Reptilite is made from the most soluble form of calcium carbonate avalible. Reptilite is not derived from crushed gravel, so it has unusual, spherical grains that are easy on reptiles' scales and carapaces, as well as their digestive tracks. Reptilite is silica and phospahate free, and it contains strontium, magnesium and potassium."
 
The other thread was Reptisand that was in question. Which I would assume is basically the same as the calcium sand. And I'm sure both say that it is entirely safe for all reptiles.

Either way...I wouldn't reccomend it.

Quigs
 
The sand is reptisand or calcium cand something like that, its suppose to be digestable and a source of calcium... either way its not in my viv I have repti bark in with the snakes and the sands in with the iguana for now. Wasnt sure if it was good for snakes or not. Just wanted other peoples opinions.
 
Personally my biggest concern with it would be absorption. Seems like waste or spilled water would head to the bottom of the tank and breed bacteria. Unless you are switching the stuff out frequently, this would not be good. You wouldn't be able to spot clean.
 
actully its the first time Ive tryed it and it seems good cause the waste clumps up like a cat litter would and you just scoop it out and toss it. Seems better then the bark cause the bark its hard to see the poop.
 
A friend uses calci-sand with his bearded dragon and he's not having a good time with it. The beardie is ok, but after two or three poops and spot-cleans, the sand really starts to smell so he has to empty out the whole tank and refill the sand. Plus it's kinda pricey, and if it gets into the snake's vent, it will really irritate him.
For my corns, I use paper towels. I would discourage the use of any type of sand with corns.
 
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