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Post by inka007 on Mar 4, 2008 17:12:03 GMT -8
I have read that the children's play sand found at Home Depot is Aragonite Sand...so does this mean it is okay to use for gerbils? Are the particles a suitable size? If so, this would be soooo much cheaper and convenient than buying small amounts of Chinchilla Sand from the pet store! Has anyone tried it? I think it is supposed to be around $4-5 for about 50 lbs.
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Post by RitzieAnn on Mar 4, 2008 17:40:40 GMT -8
I know somebody who had their gerbils live in that stuff before. It's very dusty. I mean, one of the gerbils that lived in it just turned 3 years old, but he currently lives on aspen.
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Post by inka007 on Mar 4, 2008 20:03:42 GMT -8
So I guess it would not be such a great alternative then? Darn...I thought I had found a great solution.  |
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Post by RitzieAnn on Mar 4, 2008 20:08:57 GMT -8
I'd have to see it first hand and the dust factor and all. BUT, sand isn't really THAT expensive, as it lasts a long time. I mean, I have a sifter, and so I can sift out the seed shells and the poops. An inch or two in my tank will last me easily 6 months. I just sift and sift. If it takes on moisture too, you can always bake it.
Back when I was pretty new on the forum, there was somebody who used to rinse their sand, and then bake it. They never had to buy any more. That's pretty excessive for me, but I just sift mine, and toss it when it starts to smell like dirty rodent! lol
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Post by sandy on Mar 5, 2008 11:12:22 GMT -8
Do you mean as a sand bath or as a tank substrate?
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Post by inka007 on Mar 5, 2008 12:20:31 GMT -8
I am only talking about using it as bath sand. I have read that the Chinchilla Sand can be bad to breathe, and I thought the Aragonite sand might be better, and also cheaper.  I'm just not totally sure about the stuff at Home Depot. So I may just end up buying the Aragonite sand from the fish isle. |
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Post by SilverGerbil on Mar 5, 2008 12:38:16 GMT -8
I used to keep my girls in numerous things i kept them in sand, and they were really happy in it and when they dug they made stunning tunnels amazing networks.
I never had a problem with keeping them in sand other than it being cold as its slightly hard to warm up but they loved it. I also kept them in peat which againw as lovely but htey ended up mis coloured bles!
xoxox
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Post by Jill on Mar 5, 2008 13:34:47 GMT -8
I used to keep my girls in numerous things i kept them in sand, and they were really happy in it and when they dug they made stunning tunnels amazing networks. That must have been amazing! Did you have to moisten the sand first for it to have been tunnel-able, or did dry sand do the trick? Jill |
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Post by ajherring on Mar 6, 2008 5:34:47 GMT -8
I used to keep my girls in numerous things i kept them in sand, and they were really happy in it and when they dug they made stunning tunnels amazing networks. That must have been amazing! Did you have to moisten the sand first for it to have been tunnel-able, or did dry sand do the trick? Jill I would love to know the answer to that. |
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Post by wildnose94 on Mar 6, 2008 16:20:57 GMT -8
Dry sand doesn't tunnel.
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Post by gerbilmummy on Mar 6, 2008 16:29:50 GMT -8
I am only talking about using it as bath sand. I have read that the Chinchilla Sand can be bad to breathe, and I thought the Aragonite sand might be better, and also cheaper. I'm just not totally sure about the stuff at Home Depot. So I may just end up buying the Aragonite sand from the fish isle. This will be great for your gerbils sand bath the aragonite sand |
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Post by lilwhiskers on Mar 6, 2008 19:29:52 GMT -8
That is exactly what we use for sand baths for our gerbils and it has been fine. SO much cheaper than buying it at the pet store. We got 50 pound bags on sale for $3! Even though we don't change the sand every time it is still worth the savings.
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Post by inka007 on Mar 6, 2008 21:34:08 GMT -8
That is exactly what we use for sand baths for our gerbils and it has been fine. SO much cheaper than buying it at the pet store. We got 50 pound bags on sale for $3! Even though we don't change the sand every time it is still worth the savings. Have you noticed it being very dusty? I am curious to know how it compares with the Chinchilla sand. If kids can play in it, I wouldn't think it could be that bad, but then again what do I know.  I think I'll try corn meal until I decide what sand to buy. |
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Post by RitzieAnn on Mar 6, 2008 21:55:55 GMT -8
Well, you're right "if kids could play in it...."
BUT kids are playing in their sand box OUTSIDE, and gerbils aren't. The children also aren't rolling in it and rubbing their face on it. (at least not the kids I know).
The only experience I've got with that sand was when Matt was using it as the substrate in their tank. It made his room very dusty. I'm sure it's fine for the occasional dust bath in a well ventilated area. I have 2 boxes of corn meal and some left over Charlie Chinchilla sand mixed together. I like it. It sticks to you and sometimes the gerbils look "dusty" but if you watch it, it's really not very dusty at all. I sifted it all out today, and when I was using Kaytee Chinchilla sand, it was was dustier.
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Post by lilwhiskers on Mar 7, 2008 5:26:24 GMT -8
I think the Chinchilla sand is dustier than the childrens play sand. I do make sure to purchase the sand that says it is sterilized too. We never use it for substrate, nor do we leave the sand baths in their tanks. We put the sand in containers and while we clean cages the gerbils are allowed to play in it and take their baths. While we have been using it this way we have loved it. We used to use Chinchilla sand that is what I have to compare things to. A bath in progress-  |
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I'm just not totally sure about the stuff at Home Depot. So I may just end up buying the Aragonite sand from the fish isle.
