Feeding up a young bluey and substrates

[The Bearded Derek]

I have an idea, if we can mix substrates, why not for the whole terrarium mix the mulch and the jungle mix but on the hot side where his basking rock is, I border it out with sand so the sand takes in some heat? Not the whole hot side but just little borders around the rock. Would that work?

[donkeybuff]

I don't know why you would want to absorb any heat into the sand? I don't really see a good reason for it, or any reason that makes the extra effort worthwhile.

[The Bearded Derek]

I read on some sand packages that it is a good heat conductor, and his hot spot really is his rock, so to make it hotter maybe add some sand around it. For some strange reason he's always around the borders of the rock rather than on it

[donkeybuff]

Sand being a good conductor won't raise any temperatures, it just might warm up and cool down faster. If your basking spot reaches 100 degrees, sand (assuming it's a good conductor) will reach 100 degrees quickly once the light turns on and cool down quickly once it's off. It won't actually raise the temperature of the basking spot. If he's always at the borders of the rock, the basking spot may be uncomfortably hot for him.

[Roarschak11]

It could be esthetically pleasing but not quite useful haha

Ive kept a few of my blueys on sand,they have fed off it,mated in it,dragged hemipenes in it after mating,females have spat litters out in it,babies have devoured birthsacks covered in it,and been raised in it,never had impaction issues or any issues with it,sand that is and ive used a few different types,any substrate can cause impaction,id prefer a bit of sand going through them than some of the larger grained substrates being used

Sands the best substrate to keep there nails trimmed,cons are its heavy and a pain come cleaning time,i dont get how sand is so controversial as a substrate,alot of blueys actually live in the stuff,it doesnt deserve the bum rap it gets

^have you ever used the walnut shell substrate? I've also heard that sand is a "breeding ground for bacteria" would that only be if you never cleaned it? Haha you are honestly the first person iv seen say they have never had problems! Do other breeders use sand?

[Scotts1au]

My outdoor blueys effectively live on sand, a lot of their food gets eaten off it, read "covered in it" and never had a health problem due to it. I think in an indoor enclosure it probably discourages proper cleaning as urine tends to disperse into it. I've used it with smaller skinks and it does start to smell after a while which isn't a good sign and is poorly aerated. So there are better options.

[Scotts1au]

Thanks for all of the contributions but this topic has gone round a bit. Remember all, try as much as possible to keep to the topic or simply start a new one. It is an easy process. Scott