anyone one here keep beardies like varanids?

[Varanus666]

I've been wanting a beardie really bad here recently..and I was wondering if anyone kept them like a varanid. I just don't like seeing them on news paper and plain sand seems too bland to me too. If any of you do, what is the sand to soil ratio you use? I was thinking that there has to be more sand than soil..but I'm not sure. I hope someone can give me some insight. Thanks.

[Lankyrob]

Want to follow is as i would like to do the same at some point

[rmfsnakes32]

Sand isnt really good for them. I use reptile carpet.

[Corey209]

I've heard of people using repti sand but it stains their feet. lady bug said she uses eco earth without problems.

[Terranaut]

Poor wild beardie ... all that sand... thats a crock for sure.

Calcium sand that they will be tempted to eat is not good for them but sand itself is fine. I have mixed my sand to dirt at 2 bags of sand to one of dirt. BUT. My dragons don't seem to like it and I am taking mostbof it back out and going back to tile. The idea seems sound but I think because mine have been on hard tile mist of their lives they didn't like the change. I will take a pic when I get home tomorrow.

[Jay]

Originally Posted by rmfsnakes32

Sand isnt really good for them. I use reptile carpet.

Lol.

As for sand, make sure it's natural.

[Varanus666]

Lol thanks. I want to go for something natural. I just don't like newspaper, paper towel, or tile. Just looks so..idk lab like if you know what I mean. As for carpet, doesn't that stuff get nasty easily?

[SpOoKy]

I keep both my beardies on 50/50 sand soild mix about 12-16 inches deep. I provide lots of different basking spots that range with surface temps from 100-120 degrees. Plenty of climbing branches and flat rocks. They both have done excellent on this set up and would not think of keeping them any other way.

[Varanus666]

what size is you enclosure? I found this really cool hollow log in the woods yesterday that seems perfect. How would I go about cleaning this and making sure it doesn't rot and what not?

[SpOoKy]

My female is kept in a 4ft long, 2ft deep and 3ft tall tank and my mal is kept in a 3x3x3 custon tank with different levels and shelves. As for the log I would just put it in. If you are using sand/soil, the dirt and bugs on the log will be helpful to the substrate. As for rottting, I think you will be fine, I don't see it rotting away too quickly unless it is already pretty rotted. If that is the case I woukd maybe stay away fromn it as I wouldn want in colapsing in on him or if he is on top the weight may make him fall through.

[Varanus666]

Alright. Thank you for the feed back. Guess I better start planning out the cage. Thanks again!

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by rmfsnakes32

Sand isnt really good for them. I use reptile carpet.

Worst. Product. Ever.

[Hannibalcanibal]

NEVER use reptile carpet. It's a bacterial farm. I use paper towels, but i change them every day, so it's way cleaner than reptile carpet...

[KORBIN5895]

Originally Posted by Terranaut

Poor wild beardie ... all that sand... thats a crock for sure.

Calcium sand that they will be tempted to eat is not good for them but sand itself is fine. I have mixed my sand to dirt at 2 bags of sand to one of dirt. BUT. My dragons don't seem to like it and I am taking mostbof it back out and going back to tile. The idea seems sound but I think because mine have been on hard tile mist of their lives they didn't like the change. I will take a pic when I get home tomorrow.

Try more dirt so it compacts into a harder surface.

Originally Posted by Jay

Lol.

As for sand, make sure it's natural.

Nice to see you back.

[Terranaut]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Worst. Product. Ever.

Wasn't there a thread about rmf's beardie on here
Oh nevermind it's dead... I mean the thread.... I mean the dragon....I mean both....ah whatever