Changing substrate

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Carissaraeee
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Changing substrate

Post by Carissaraeee » Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:09 am

Hello my fellow crabbers! Quick question, when changing my substrate, I got the Eco Earth compressed coconut fiber. So you have to add water when changing the substrate for it expand. So my question is, can I use tap water for that? Or do I need to stick with bottled water? The last substrate I got, I didn’t have to add water like I do for this. Thanks in advance!


Also, I hope I posted this to the right forum. My last post was moved to another forum, so I must’ve added it to the wrong place. I am new to the app, I’m used to using the website, and the website never gave me any of this options so sorry if it’s in the wrong place

Carissa


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Topic author
Carissaraeee
Posts: 19
Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2019 1:29 pm
Location: North Carolina

Re: Changing substrate

Post by Carissaraeee » Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:25 am

Lol! Replying to my own post here, But I was doing some research while I was waiting for somebody to reply, and I came across an older post where people were advising that the OP used salt water to moisten the substrate. So, should I use my Instant Ocean salt water mix to expand my hermie’s substrate?


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GotButterflies
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Re: Changing substrate

Post by GotButterflies » Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:28 am

Hello! Yes, you want to use dechlorinated marine saltwater or dechlorinated freshwater to make it sandcastle consistency :)

Edit: BTW - it isn't necessary to change out your substrate unless you are having a bacteria bloom or flooding. I also wanted to let you know that I know how difficult Tapatalk can be to navigate around. This subject could go under crabitat conditions, or miscellaneous. :)
Truly blessed to have incredible creatures, wonderful friends and my amazing family in my life!! I'm very thankful & grateful for all of them! www.thehealthyhermit.com


Topic author
Carissaraeee
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Location: North Carolina

Re: Changing substrate

Post by Carissaraeee » Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:30 am

GotButterflies wrote:Hello! Yes, you want to use dechlorinated marine saltwater or dechlorinated freshwater to make it sandcastle consistency :)
Thank you!! So I use a little of both salt and bottled water?


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Carissaraeee
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Re: Changing substrate

Post by Carissaraeee » Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:31 am

Carissaraeee wrote: Thank you!! So I use a little of both salt and bottled water?


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I read your comment wrong, you said “or” not “and” so Ignore my question lol thank you so much for the response!!


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GotButterflies
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Re: Changing substrate

Post by GotButterflies » Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:32 am

BTW - I edited my post so check that out.

It isn't necessary to use bottled water. You can use tap. Just use a dechlorinator. A lot of us use a product called Prime. You need a dechlorinator that removes chlorine, and chloramine as well as neutralizes ammonia and heavy metals. :)
Truly blessed to have incredible creatures, wonderful friends and my amazing family in my life!! I'm very thankful & grateful for all of them! www.thehealthyhermit.com

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Re: Changing substrate

Post by GotButterflies » Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:33 am

I personally use MSW. To each's own though! :)
Truly blessed to have incredible creatures, wonderful friends and my amazing family in my life!! I'm very thankful & grateful for all of them! www.thehealthyhermit.com


Topic author
Carissaraeee
Posts: 19
Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2019 1:29 pm
Location: North Carolina

Re: Changing substrate

Post by Carissaraeee » Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:33 am

GotButterflies wrote:Hello! Yes, you want to use dechlorinated marine saltwater or dechlorinated freshwater to make it sandcastle consistency :)

Edit: BTW - it isn't necessary to change out your substrate unless you are having a bacteria bloom or flooding. I also wanted to let you know that I know how difficult Tapatalk can be to navigate around. This subject could go under crabitat conditions, or miscellaneous. :)
Awesome! And yes, when I was trying to find a topic, I kept scrolling and scrolling, and saw this one. Sorry LOL! And yes, it’s been a while since I changed my substrate, I usually just spray it and mix it around a little bit. But a couple of them must have grabbed some food out of their dish and went down under the substrate with it because there was mold starting to grow, I didn’t notice it at first, but when I did, that’s when I decided to change it.


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Re: Changing substrate

Post by GotButterflies » Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:34 am

:) We are here for you if you need us!
Truly blessed to have incredible creatures, wonderful friends and my amazing family in my life!! I'm very thankful & grateful for all of them! www.thehealthyhermit.com


Topic author
Carissaraeee
Posts: 19
Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2019 1:29 pm
Location: North Carolina

Re: Changing substrate

Post by Carissaraeee » Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:34 am

GotButterflies wrote:BTW - I edited my post so check that out.

It isn't necessary to use bottled water. You can use tap. Just use a dechlorinator. A lot of us use a product called Prime. You need a dechlorinator that removes chlorine, and chloramine as well as neutralizes ammonia and heavy metals. :)
Yes! I saw the edit,... AFTER I sent my reply ImageImage silly me! Haha thank you! I’ll look into Prime. I usually just buy a big thing of bottled water, and use that. But I will definitely look into prime because it sounds like it might save me some money LOL


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Re: Changing substrate

Post by GotButterflies » Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:35 am

Prime will last you a long time, and save you a lot of money! :)
Truly blessed to have incredible creatures, wonderful friends and my amazing family in my life!! I'm very thankful & grateful for all of them! www.thehealthyhermit.com

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