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Post by overmind1632 on Jun 29, 2007 20:21:52 GMT -8
I was wondering if it was ok to use beach sand as a sandbath?
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Post by ohmylokix on Jun 29, 2007 20:30:05 GMT -8
You'd want to sterilize it first!
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Post by overmind1632 on Jun 29, 2007 20:35:18 GMT -8
How so? Like by washing it?
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Post by myconcordia on Jun 29, 2007 21:37:40 GMT -8
No, put it in the freezer for a few hours (so it kills any bugs, parasites, or sand mites). After, take it out and let it warm up to room temperature before giving it to your gerbils.
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Post by ohmylokix on Jun 29, 2007 21:46:18 GMT -8
You might want to wash it in a sieve. You don't know what may have had a tinkle in it. :3
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caz
Member
Posts: 6,237
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Post by caz on Jun 30, 2007 0:11:25 GMT -8
Hmmm.... I thought that the grains of beach sand would be too rough/sharp and may damage the fur on gerbils  Like Loki says, goodness knows what's actually pooped or wee'd in it  Caroline |
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Post by ashgerbil on Jun 30, 2007 5:44:47 GMT -8
Yeah it's just a lot easier to use chinchilla sand. The grains are finer and they like it more  I don't know whether I'd risk it tbh. I would imagine that there'd be alot of salt crystals in there, but I don't know what affect that would have on gerbils (I could imagine that they may try to eat it, which could cause some problems due to the high salt content), but I can't be sure whether it would have any affect. Also there's the bacteria issue. I mean you could bake the sand which really would get rid of any germs, but still, it would smell strange to them and that. Personally, I wouldn't. Chinchilla sand costs a little more, but hey, at least you know it's safe!  |
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Post by michael on Jun 30, 2007 6:03:33 GMT -8
it's fine i throw my gerbils in the sandbox in my backyard for a couple of minutes. though they look for shade then go to sleep.
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caz
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Post by caz on Jun 30, 2007 6:25:48 GMT -8
You 'throw' your gerbils in the sandbox!!!!  Michael, I know you're on a tight budget but if you bought yourself a carton of chinchilla sand it can be re-used over and over again, will last for months and is much kinder to your gerbils fur Caroline |
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Post by overmind1632 on Jun 30, 2007 7:36:29 GMT -8
ILl try to get beach sand where the water doesnt touch it, and ill wash it, bake it, freeze it.
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Post by Ed on Jun 30, 2007 9:01:36 GMT -8
Beachsand will tend to have rounded edges to the particles, because of the action of the water on the sand, so won't be too abrasive to their coats. High salinity isnt a problem, because mongolian gerbils live in areas where there is very high saline content to the soils. Freezing won't kill all the bacteria, baking it is better. Saying that, if you rinsed in freshwater, then baked it, wouldn't it be easier just to buy chinchilla sand, or is it hard to buy where you live?
Ed
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Post by overmind1632 on Jun 30, 2007 9:37:52 GMT -8
Beachsand will tend to have rounded edges to the particles, because of the action of the water on the sand, so won't be too abrasive to their coats. High salinity isnt a problem, because mongolian gerbils live in areas where there is very high saline content to the soils. Freezing won't kill all the bacteria, baking it is better. Saying that, if you rinsed in freshwater, then baked it, wouldn't it be easier just to buy chinchilla sand, or is it hard to buy where you live? Ed yeah its a bit hard, the nearest pet store is like 20-30 mins away and the beach is 1 second away. |
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Post by michael on Jul 1, 2007 10:25:31 GMT -8
i didn't mean throw :)lol but ya i have noooo money at all  after i bought the 20 gallon tank and 8" wheel yesterday. the tank is 30"Lx12"Wx12"T i bought this one because it's double the floorspace. ;D ;D ;D |
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after i bought the 20 gallon tank and 8" wheel yesterday.