Using Calcisand

ILoveHermies · Post by **ILoveHermies** » Fri Jul 19, 2013 8:10 am

So, from all of my extensive research, people have recommended to use Calcisand with Coco fiber. I've read on here that the sand clumps when wet, but is it OK to use it with the Coco fiber? In my tank I used a small bag of Calcisand and a whole brick of Coco fiber to get the substrate deep enough.

Miko · Post by **Miko** » Fri Jul 19, 2013 9:24 am

i would get play sand as i have read the the cal sand can glue the crabs legs together, and also wont hold shape for when they wanna dig down and molt

Nnnnnnnn · Post by **Nnnnnnnn** » Fri Jul 19, 2013 9:59 am

Calci sand in very small amounts mixed with EE or playsand is actually good, but in large amounts in clumps, collapses tunnels, and generally damages the crabs.

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Fri Jul 19, 2013 2:30 pm

I have heard calci-sand can be very dangerous when moistened. The trouble is, the sub needs to be wet for the crabs to have a safe place to molt. I recommend play sand.

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Sat Jul 20, 2013 5:10 am

Yeah calci sand acts like wet cement when you hydrate it bonding limbs together, traps hermits in their shells, molds easily and is generally not recommended as a substrate but can be used as a calcium source provided it's not colored.Mixing with ee mitigates some of the risks but its still much safer to use regular play sand instead.

ILoveHermies · Post by **ILoveHermies** » Sat Jul 20, 2013 3:56 pm

The Calcisand is very well mixed, it's like vanilla bean ice cream with the Calcisand being the vanilla beans and the ice cream being the ee. Would that be okay to keep until I change the tank completely?

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 9:17 am

As long as the ratio of sand to ee is no more than 20 or 30 percent calci sand to ee then you should be safe until you do your tank change.The more ee you have the more diluted the sand will become making it much safer.