HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I've just gotten a ten gallon tank to use for my crab's ISO tank and I was wondering if it was alright to use calcium sand. The place I went to had limited sand and this was the only good option. I got 20lbs of "Pure and Safe Reptile Calcium Substrate. Is it okay to use this for my crab's ISO tank?

Calcium sand is a BIG no-no. When wet it can harden like cement, collapse tunnels and scratch carbs gills. You would need either sandbox sand, coconut fiber or a mix of both. Change the sand ASAP.

Calcisand doesnt collapse, rather hardens so a buried crab is literally stuck under the sand when it hardens. It can get into their shells and once in contact with the shell water hardens and eventually builds up and can lead to a punctured abdomen, killing the crabs.

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No- unfortunately calcium sand hardens like cement, so it isn't a suitable sub even for an ISO. Go to your local hardware and pick up a bag of play sand- this will work.


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And from above, far cheaper and and comes im larger quantities too.

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If you don't want to use sand, you can also use eco earth (coconut substrate). Remember to wet the substrate that you choose with dechlorinated freshwater or marine saltwater to make it sandcastle consistency.

you can also use eco earth mixed with coco fiber

This is an old thread, from almost 2 years ago.
Eco Earth IS coco fiber.