Using Vita-Sand in your pet's habitat is straightforward, involving simple steps for initial setup and ongoing maintenance to ensure a clean and comfortable environment.
How to Set Up Vita-Sand in a Habitat
Setting up Vita-Sand involves adding a layer of the substrate to the bottom of your animal's enclosure.
- Start with a Base Layer: Add at least ½ inch (1.3 cm) of Vita-Sand® to the bottom of the habitat. This provides a basic substrate layer for your pet.
- Increase Depth for Diggers: If you keep species that naturally burrow or dig, such as sand boas or bearded dragons, you should add more Vita-Sand than the minimum amount. This allows them to exhibit these natural behaviors comfortably.
Maintaining Vita-Sand for a Clean Environment
Regular maintenance is key to keeping the Vita-Sand clean and the habitat healthy for your pet.
- Remove Debris Regularly: As needed, remove any debris, waste, or soiled areas from the sand. This spot cleaning helps keep the habitat hygienic between full replacements.
- Full Substrate Replacement: The entire Vita-Sand substrate should be replaced completely every 6 months. However, you should replace the sand sooner than 6 months if you notice a persistent foul odor, as this can indicate bacterial issues that spot cleaning cannot fully address.