Would this sand be alright for my adfs as substrate?

I bought white hermit crab sand from zoo med and I was wondering if it would be alright to use for my adfs? under ingredients, its calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate.

 

If you check out Lucy's care sheet: https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/care-sheet-for-african-dwarf-frogs.36417/

It is recommended to avoid substrates that can fit in your ADF's mouth, thus I guess sand would not be recommended

 

Apparently its easier for them to find food because it doesn't slip down the cracks of the gravel.

 

Id be wary of sand, adf don't have the best aim. If they swallowed sand, it could be bad news, impaction is no bueno and calcium carbonate sand, which is also marketed for reptiles(shouldnt be), has a high bonding tendency making it more dangerous then traditional sands.

 

The use of substrate with ADFs is a controversial subject among ADF breeders and owners. Most breeders, myself included, recommend keeping ADFs in a bare bottom aquarium (i.e. no substrate at all). While not using substrate makes the aquarium safer and easier to clean and maintain, it limits the type of live plants that can be added, and, perhaps, is not as aesthetically pleasing as sand. If a substrate must be used, smooth silica sand is the best choice (as Lucy and others have already mentioned, gravel or stones intended for fish tanks are not suitable because they can easily become lodged in a frog's mouth). Sharp-edged sands, such as those made from ground coral, Tahitian Moon Sand, or Eco-Complete should be avoided. While some breeders and owners prefer to use smooth sand and their frogs are perfectly healthy, others discourage this practice, because ADFs can ingest large amounts of sand while feeding. Although the ingested particles of sand are small enough to pass through the frog, they are concerned that the sand could damage the frog’s delicate digestive tract. In theory, a shallow bowl or terra cotta saucer can be used to feed the frogs in order to reduce the amount of sand ingested and prevent the food from becoming buried in the sand substrate. In practice, however, the frogs will probably knock much of the food out of the saucer before they eat it anyways and still end up ingesting particles of sand. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with the hermit crab sand you have mentioned. I guess, it will depend on how sharp it is and what type of risks you are willing to take with your frogs. As I've mentioned, some people have used sand very successfully, while others are hesitant to use it because of the risks involved. Undoubtedly, the frogs really enjoy digging in the sand and creating little holes for themselves to sit in. ADFs are just too darn cute. They are such silly, little creatures, indeed. - frogbreeder

 

FB, the calcium carbonate is like sand, but it will literally cement together when ingested. Which is why I wouldn't recommend it, its smooth yes, but it won't matter if they ingest little piece and it turns into a marble

 

Is there another type of sand that would be ok? Maybe ill just go and buy what ever sand you suggest and just have it in with my soon-to-be betta and cherry shrimp tank...

 

Having never used sand with ADFs before, I really don't know what type would be best. Soltarianknight is correct about the calcium carbonate though - good call. It's one of the ingredients in cement that causes it to set. So, it's probably not a good idea to let ADFs ingest it. As Sol. mentioned, it would likely just bind in the frog's stomach or intestines and cause a blockage. Perhaps, someone who has used sand successfully in their ADF tank will comment and let us know which type they've used. Personally, I prefer not to take any unescessary chances with my frogs, so I've always just gone with a bare-bottomed tank, instead of using substrate. Sorry, I can't be more helpful. - frogbreeder

 

I've always kept my frogs with sand, including TMS. Right now it's in a bare bottom, not for any reason other than my laziness. I think they prefer to have a substrate. From what I can tell, they can move around the tank better with substrate.

 

Thanks Jaysee. Using sand definitely offers both advantages and disadvantages. Sand does provide better traction and enables the frogs to move around the bottom a little easier, and the frogs sure like digging in it, but I still can't help but worry about the risks involved, should the frogs ingest any while eating. Then again, I'm probably being overly paranoid. - frogbreeder

 

I wouldnt say over paranoid, trust me, I freak when people keep any reptile or amphibian on sand like substrates. Particularly animals like geckos, who have a thing about licking their environments -_-. If you want, I can post a link to a thread that justifies your paranoia, exspecially on the calcium carbonate sand. We had so many new members ask about it one of the seniors got fed up and posted about 10-30 photos of leos and geckos with impaction from sand...needless to say, it was graphic and it shut up a lot of people. But for ADFs id say silica is probably safest.

 

I've kept mine with gravel, small river rock and bare bottom.
Mine seemed to like bare bottom best.

Can't comment on sand. That's one I never tried

 

I know that ADF breeders who do use sand prefer to use only smooth silica sand, but I don't know which brands they use. I can't remember which website I was looking at, possibly Flippers & Fins, but I once saw some very horrifying photos of ADFs with pieces of gravel impacted in their mouths. They were enough to convince me that a bare-bottomed tank is best. I couldn't live with myself, if that were to happen to one of my frogs. I'd feel absolutely terrible. I can only imagine the poor leos and geckos suffering from impaction. How very sad. Just goes to show how wise it is to ask other's opinions first, before trying anything new. It's always better to be safe than sorry. - frogbreeder