HCA: Hermit Crab Association

i recently made the decision to upgrade my tank, and I want a new substrate. should I use Eco earth or play sand?

The common consenses is a 5 to 1 ratio of play sand to eco earth

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And add dechlorinated water til it's sand castle consistantsy. Make sure substrate is deep enough for your largest crabs to fully submerge.

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Honestly it’s a personal preference. Many crabbers use one or the other, and many use a mixture. It does not have to be at a specific 5:1 ratio of sand to EE, either.

As long as it is deep enough, holds tunnels well, and you aren’t oversaturating it, then it’s fine.

You just want to be able to mold a clump of it so that it keeps the shape but doesn’t drip.


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I think i asked this before so please forgive me but, does anyone add more wet eco earth later on ??? Into their already mixed sabd and eco???

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Hermie escape artist wrote:I think i asked this before so please forgive me but, does anyone add more wet eco earth later on ??? Into their already mixed sabd and eco???

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I would think that's ok! you could always try to mix it in with the top layer of sub so it isn't 100% EE. Probably fine either way though. Sand holds its shape better (better for digging) but ee holds moisture well (better for humidity). Mixing them is always a good compromise.

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I have used straight EE when I couldn't mix it with playsand. As Doth stated I also found that the straight EE holds humidity much better than the 5/1 substrate mix.

I will generally mix my substrate with dechlorinated saltwater since I believe it helps to cut down on mold forming either from food scattered in the tank or due to 90% and above humidity. Mold will still develop but I believe it doesn't get out of had as fast with the salt mix. It could just be though.

You can pretty much do the substrate anyway you want. There isn't really a right or wrong way. With purples as long as it's sandcastle consistency, not too wet, and at least 3 times deeper than your largest crab or 6" deep whichever is greater.

my crabs dont seem to like the sand...

Then try the eco earth

okay. i will buy some tonight. should i get coco fiber or jungle ground

purplepincher wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 26, 2019 12:50 pm

okay. i will buy some tonight. should i get coco fiber or jungle ground

I just get the brick of compressed eco earth and add declorinated salt water according to the instructions.

that was my last choice. did not end up well. it basically collapsed.

collapsed?

when one was molting by the glass his cave collapsed

dont worry he was fine, till he died from sickness from the pet store. i hate petco for that.

purplepincher wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 26, 2019 1:33 pm

that was my last choice. did not end up well. it basically collapsed.

That's why most people add sand. It holds its shape better. Try 50/50.