Help new crab!

[Lkrus08]

Hello I just purchased a purple pincher crab can I just use sand or do I need to get the substrate too?

[KrankyKrab]

Hello I just purchased a purple pincher crab can I just use sand or do I need to get the substrate too?

I’m pretty sure substrate is the name of anything you use: sand or sand with eco earth ect...

My substrate consists of sand with Ecoearth 5:1 ratio. (I also have a bit of moss, oyster shells and worm castings throughout)

I have my isolation tank with only sand and I feel they aren’t big on digging in there. Plus pumping your sand with some eco and other stuff (moss, worm castings) can help with molting so they have nutrients when they are under.

I notice that the eco helps with the smell as well as break down of organics where sand alone seems to smell dirtier in that iso tank.


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[Lkrus08]

Oh ok! I wasn’t sure what the substrate was. Ok thank you for the advice!

[Moe2076]

Here is the care sheet for substrate.

https://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/p ... 26&t=92542

[curlysister]

Most of us use a mix of sand and EE (5 parts play sand to 1 part EE is the most common mix). Be sure it's play sand, not what is marketed as 'hermit crab sand', which is often Calcium sand.
The reason most of us use a mixture, is because it keeps the moisture, helps with humidity, and is the correct consistence for digging and holding shape. You can use dechlor fresh or salt water to mix it initially, but if adding water or misting, you should use dechlor fresh water. The care sheet that Moe posted has all the info you need.

[GotButterflies]

I agree with CurlySister. I like the mixture