lost sharp screw

[nepoez]

Hi all I am just finishing my 8x4x4 cage and I dropped a sharp small screw into the soil. I tried for hours to find it but I can't. There's a tone of dirt in there. I'm scared that by chance the monitor will be digging and gets cut it stabbed. What to do? I'm quite frustrated...

[smy_749]

get a metal detector haha

[sharthun]

If the screw was magnetic use a big magnet.

[nepoez]

How much is that?

[formica]

a cullendar or sieve should make the task easier if you know roughly where it landed

[slowhite03]

Get a sifter, then you can sift the dirt. May take a bit but I'd rather be safe then sorry

[infernalis]

If the screw was magnetic use a big magnet.

Take ANY old computer hard drive that no longer works, start removing all the screws (some are under decals) and open it up. There is two magnets in there that are SUPER powerful, remove them, now pass them all around in the dirt, the screw will stick to it, provided the screw is steel.

Be careful, those magnets are strong enough to slap together and pinch you to the point of bleeding.

[nepoez]

Arrrrgh I can't find it. Moving the soil around ended up mixing it all up even more. Note I got no clue where in the tone of dirt that screw is.... You think it will rust and disintegrate?

[infernalis]

yes it will rust, and even if (worse case scenario) the lizard ate it, the powerful stomach acid would pretty much dissolve most of it.

[Gatorhunter1231]

Take years for it to start to break down. I have lost tons of screws in my salvadorii cages. Never had an issue. Most likely will be fine.

[marvelfreak]

Get a kitty litter scoop and just start sifting.

[nepoez]

OK thanks guys.

[B_Aller]

My two cents: go to the home despot and get a floor magnet with adjustable handle, usually next to the screws or in tools, about 8 bucks, looks like a wand, run over top of dirt after every chore involving screws etc, picks 'em right up, no biggie.

[franks]

Magnet will work. I use a magnet to remove unseen nails from my customer's grass lawns. Run the magnet repeatedly through the dirt.

[nepoez]

The problem is I tossed the dirt around for two hours looking now the scree is buried under the dirt. I should have used a magnet right away instead of digging through the dirt.

[smy_749]

dont stress it man , seriously

[Pirarucu]

Thorns and spines are not uncommon in the wild, don't stress over it too much.