Calcium Sand In An ISO?

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ScarletSand
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Calcium Sand In An ISO?

Post by ScarletSand » Sat May 06, 2017 3:20 pm

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?

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HeyItsEggs
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Re: Calcium Sand In An ISO?

Post by HeyItsEggs » Sat May 06, 2017 4:32 pm

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.
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Re: Calcium Sand In An ISO?

Post by aussieJJDude » Sat May 06, 2017 6:07 pm

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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Re: Calcium Sand In An ISO?

Post by Hermiearth » Sat May 06, 2017 6:22 pm

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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Re: Calcium Sand In An ISO?

Post by aussieJJDude » Sat May 06, 2017 6:26 pm

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

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Re: Calcium Sand In An ISO?

Post by GotButterflies » Sat May 06, 2017 7:51 pm

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. :)
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Re: Calcium Sand In An ISO?

Post by purplepincher » Fri Mar 01, 2019 2:33 pm

you can also use eco earth mixed with coco fiber
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Re: Calcium Sand In An ISO?

Post by curlysister » Fri Mar 01, 2019 5:16 pm

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