About substrate water

[cooltabcat]

Dear Hemit crab experts,

I have had crabs for 2 years, Sometimes they were successful molting and sometimes not. So I am always thinking about everything I do concerning them and rechecking if it is alright. So I just learned about prime water conditioner even though I have used Zoo Meds conditioner for their daily water / salt water (with Instant ocean) needs. However when I mixed up the substrate 5 parts of play sand to 1 part coco fiber, I used spring water, Crystal Geyser to wet the sand because the guy at the pet store said it was a good choice. Now I understand that Pet store advice is not really always so good. I am now worried if that is okay? The spring water is from Arkansas which the water there is acidic, but here in Texas it is alkaline. (I am a gardener and used to live in Arkansas.) Is that spring water really okay for them?

Also Does it matter about the alkalinity of the water for the substrate?

I mixed up about 150 pounds of substrate in a 55 gallon tank about 1 year ago for the crabs. One big crab and a smaller one is down under molting for less than a month. Four new adopted/ rescued crabs are joyfully playing above the substrate, although they are digging too. I want them all to have a good life.

Is it safe or do I need to change it all again? should I wait until my 2 crabs that are under to change it? If it needs it? One crab loved to dig new holes every day for months. So I thought maybe it was okay. I always worry about my crabs when they are molting. So that is what I am doing-- worrying about them.

Thanks so much for your time and expertise!
cooltabcat

[curlysister]

I wouldn't worry about it, and wouldn't change the substrate just because of that. You can use dechlorinated water to moisten any sub from now on, if you are adding more.

[cooltabcat]

Thank you! It seems plenty of crabs are happy in it. And yes I plan to do differently next time. I just always hope they all will make their molt successfully.

[cooltabcat]

p.s. The spring water doesn't have chlorine in it, but may have "who knows" whatever prime gets out of the water.

[cooltabcat]

But yes I know what you mean, the treated aquarium water is what I hope to use next time. Thanks again!

[cooltabcat]

Thank you for the enocouragement! Hunky just came up from Molting this morning! Yay!