Is sand good?

[Picificsi]

Hi!
I have seen that many of Caudata members put sand under their axies. I wonder if it is good or not to them?
I have read an article on a hungarian axi forum, that maintained that sand is unnatural to these animals, it etchs their skin and eyes, and causes gill reduction. Moreover, according to the forum's administrators, it can cause their death if they swallow it. They guess neither sand, nor gravel is appropriate, only round stones, which are as big as they can't put in their mouth.
The reason why I ask it is that I am planning a new, bigger tank to my axies, but I don't like these ugly big stones.

 

[auntiejude]

Sand is usually OK, as long as your axies are over 5 inches long. It's true they can ingest it, but it usually passes through without trouble. Smooth grained sand such as children's play sand is fine - it will not irritate an adult axie.

Large stones may seem appropriate, but belive me, cleaning the tanks when the poop and food gets stuck between the stones in a nightmare.

If you want something easy to clean but not dangerous to axies you can try large flat slates that can be moved for cleaning, or silicone sand onto the bottom of the tank.

 

[Picificsi]

That is a nice idea, thank you! I think I will plaster in the tank slates like this: