i actually have two questions.
1- I need to get a new substrate for my wd, right now he has coconut bark and he keeps eating it, which concerns me. anyway, does anybody know if calci-sand is ok? if not, what would you recomend?

2-on the subject of calci-sand, how do I know my wd is getting enough calcium in his diet? is there such a thing as too much? i dust his food with a suppliment once or twice a week already, should I do more or less?

thanks!

Calci-sand is junk, whatever they may claim it is not completely digestable. Once or twice a week dusting is fine. I s he eating the substrate while eating his normal food ? or just eating it to eat it ? Alot of members, myself included, feed there herps in feeder tanks so there is no risk of accidental digestion.

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

he usually eats it on accident along with a cricket. Its not so bad when he eats other stuff only because when he eats worms and such he gets them in a bowl. the bottom of his enclosure is tile so he doesnt really need anything because I could just wipe it clean as needed, I just like the idea of having something more natural (and soft) than a smooth tile at the bottom.

I too suggest feeding him in a different tank or sterilite container. How big is your tank height wise. Most WD's dont spend much time on the ground anyway if they are given the needed height to climb.

Here are some substrate suggestions (scroll down)
http://reptileguides.herpcenter.com/...-t28.html?t=28

Here are the dangers of cali-sand:
http://reptileguides.herpcenter.com/...143.html?t=143

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Yes you can give too much calcium...and it is dangerous.
The easiest way to dispense the calciumis to put it in a salt shaker and use it like you were salting your own food. If you can see a lot of white powder afterwards you are using too much.
I would supplement only once a week unless the dragon is gravid and developing eggs.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Water dragons really should not be on sand. It's not a good substrate for high humidity conditions, it's not natural to them, and when they swallow some, it can cause impaction. Calci-sand is especially dangerous. If the calcium levels get too high, it can cause as many problems as too little calcium - and there's really no way to regulate it.

Coconut bark is no better, and will also cause impaction as he continues to eat it.

A better substrate, if you have to have a natural looking one, is soil. In my opinion, though, the best substrates are simply paper towels, repti-carpet or tile. The dragon doesn't mind, and it's easy to clean up and maintain proper humidity with the simpler substrate. Repti-carpet gives you a more natural look without being messy and difficult to maintain, but tile or slate can be beautiful as well.

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"Let's eat, Grandpa!"
"Let's eat Grandpa!"

Punctuation. It saves lives.

awesome, thanks guys!

i use exo-terra plantation soil for my wd and is seems to be working well and it helps alot with my humidity levels

i went to home hardware and got an astoturf rug for about 20$ and cut a bunch of peices to fit and burnt all around the edges to make sure it didnt start unravelling(no clue how to spell that). it makes tank cleaning alot easier!!!