Temporary Substrate Solution

[okekna]

Hi all!

I recently got 2 hermit crabs in a large tank. I had read about the ideal substrate (mix of playsand and coco fibre), but I for the life of could not find playsand readily available in my country (we don't see to sell it in our hardware stores the way other countries do).

I've had to order playsand and coco fibre online, but it may take some weeks to arrive. In the meantime, I am using what the petshop offered me - half coarse sand, half pebbly-sand that they say is 'porous'. I also don't think they've provided enough substrate for them to burrow in.

Are there any suggestions on what I can do if they need to moult before the playsand+coco-fibre arrives? Any signs that I should look for as well to know that they are close to moulting?

[JoeHermits]

We use playsand and coconut fiber because they’re easy to obtain in the United States. Singapore may have different products, as you’ve found.

How well does your substrate hold structure? If it can hold tunnels it may do just fine as is so long as it’s deep enough.

If you can find a group of crabbers in Asia they may also be able to advise on local materials.


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[JoeHermits]

As for molting, the crabs will put it off if their conditions aren’t suitable. Best thing you can do is provide good substrate (which you’re working on) and nutrition and let them do their thing.


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[okekna]

Thank you! That's good to know - hopefully the substrate will arrive sooner rather than later!

[crabocado]

Interesting question. My first suggestion was going to be soil from the backyard, but it seemed a risk for the crabs if there are undetected predators/parasites in the soil. Maybe it could be baked in an oven to sterilize, but I don't know, I've never done that and it might be hard to hydrate afterward.
But it looks like Singapore has beautiful beaches (I'm jealous!), so I wonder if you could just take a bucket to the beach? (Subject to legal restrictions - I seem to have read somewhere that Singapore has some strict laws about some things.) No doubt, the beaches vary, perhaps some very fine sand would be best. If you take dry sand, it seems unlikely to harbor anything dangerous, what do people think? It's been "pre-baked" by the sun, but it should hold water well when added.

[JoeHermits]

Wild-harvested soil tends to be contaminated with chemicals, heavy metals, microplastics, and other pollutants that won’t be removed by heat. That’s why animal enclosures often use pre-packaged substrate since they are usually contaminant-free.


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[crabocado]

I also ran into this page on native land hermit crabs in Singapore - now rare, but proves that the beach areas must have suitable substrate - too bad excessive cleanup of debris & shells has made the crabs rare.

http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/ ... nobita.htm

[okekna]

I couldn't find any laws that said we can't take sand from our beaches, but you are right that our laws tend to be strict around here. Our beaches are also (sadly) not always very clean, so I'm a bit hesitant to bring them in except as a last resort, maybe.

Is the idea essentially to make sure that the substrate sand is one that is (1) fine enough for them to dig through; (2) able to retain moisture as in making sandcastles and (c) clean?

Would something like this suit? https://singseesoon.com/products/white- ... 0752&_ss=r

[JoeHermits]

Yes, ideally your substrate would be 1, 2, and c. That sand you linked looks like silica sand, but since it’s marketed for plants there’s no guarantee for cleanliness.


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[okekna]

Oh gosh I totally missed listing that last item as (c) hahaha

[okekna]

Sorry to keep bothering with my questions! I'm low-key still stressing out about the substrate as I worry I didn't order enough.

I understand EcoEarth is essentially 100% coco fibre/coir. Does this mean any brand of coco fibre/coir can be used? I found a gardening center that provides this at a very cheap price but I'm not sure if it's too 'loose', it doesn't quite look like the EE I have been seeing: https://www.huahng.com.sg/?product=coco-fibre-8-ltr

[Wlfwo]

I would just wait. You have the right stuff coming. The one from the garden supply doesn't say if it's been treated in any way, just make sure they have both types of water, heat and humidity, good things to eat and the calcium.

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[JoeHermits]

Sorry to keep bothering with my questions! I'm low-key still stressing out about the substrate as I worry I didn't order enough.

I understand EcoEarth is essentially 100% coco fibre/coir. Does this mean any brand of coco fibre/coir can be used? I found a gardening center that provides this at a very cheap price but I'm not sure if it's too 'loose', it doesn't quite look like the EE I have been seeing: https://www.huahng.com.sg/?product=coco-fibre-8-ltr

This is different from what’s normally used. A powder would mix in more easily, if you can find it.


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[jclee]

Yeah... it's the same material, but a different consistency to what many westerners mean by eco earth. Both are coconut choir, but eco earth is processed into smaller bits, so that it has a consistency closer to soil.
That said, the inexpensive product that you've found will probably be a fun toy/treat to leave in a patch or two at the surface. While it probably won't work as a substrate, hermit crabs sometimes like eating/grooming woody, coconut-based materials (when they're not below ground), so you could think about getting that some day for that purpose.

[aussieJJDude]

Eco earth is just a brand name, and to boot, a popular brand name in the US and Canada (where most of the members are located). Other brands of coconut fibre can be used; as long as its fine (I've seen a few blends sold in Aus that's relatively chunky!) and fertiliser/pesticide free.