Habitat - Indoor :: Questions regarding sand

[Peva]

So I'm considering finally doing Sand in my tank just to make it look nice, but before I do, I'd like to ask some questions.

I know there's a topic (viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17268) that's super helpful, but my questions are just a bit precautionary.

Brixie has never had sand before, and she tries to eat EVERYTHING. Is sand going to be a big problem for her? Also, can I still keep the rocks and other decorations in there?

I think the sand would just make the entire tank a lot more beautiful.

[Jeremiah]

I don't see why you can't leave the decorations in there. Just keep big rocks buried enough so that they won't squish her, if she digs under them.

I would start with a smaller amount of sand. That way, you can gauge whether she will eat it without pouring a bunch in there and then taking it out. Pool filter sand is usually fine enough to avoid impaction, but I don't know what would happen if she just kept eating it.

[Peva]

Will do, I'll probably get to it in May at some point.

[ljapa]

I too have a turtle that "tastes" everything. In fact, it was her trying to eat river stone much too big to fit in her mouth that made me move to pool filter sand.

She doesn't try to eat it, though she may injest some when going for shrimp. I've never seen an issue in the two plus years she's had sand. I kept both aquarium decorations and one rock.

I'm a big fan of sand, and you're adding tons more surface area for nitrifying bacteria.

[Peva]

Yeah, I'm just still worried about her eating too much of it. I know she can't digest it, but eating too much sand is still bad for her. But hey, maybe it won't be a problem with her because a lot of the time she doesn't eat certain foods when they don't taste good.

[Kansasslider]

I might have missed it somewhere else? Did you ever decide on using sand? I have white sand in my tank and I and my turtles love it.