HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Has anyone ever bought the premade substrate mixture from the crabbage patch? My mom saw it when I was browsing and really wants me to get it. I do need more sand since I have upgraded and don't really want to buy play sand because I have only used sand from the beach and don't plan on getting to a beach for a while but I don't use coconut fiber and that has it in it.

I don't know how the coconut fiber holds up and if it needs to be cleaned more often or if it can't be cleaned and has to be replaced. I'm not sure if you can bake the coconut fiber or if it will burn, I know you don't bake it at a high temp but since I have never used it before I don't know. I just really don't want to ruin my current sand by getting this and adding it, most of my sand was brought back by my brother from Florida and I really like it.

Oh, thats where all our sand went
As far as I know EE cannot be cleaned, but would need to be replaced.
So, if you are lovin' the mix you have now, might be better to leave well enough alone.

Haha my tank isn't that big

That's what I was worried about. I'm thinking about emailing her asking if she could make up the mix but not add the coconut fiber or is that too weird of a request?

All you can do is ask, right? Not sure what she is willing to do, but contact her to let her know what you need. Good luck

It's good substrate, I've bought it a few times. I've never tried to re-use substrate, though, I just throw it in the yard and by new stuff. She might send just the sand, I e-mailed and asked her to leave out the EE, but she sent the usual stuff anyway. I guess she just forgot. No biggie, I just wanted to add my own EE.

Thanks, I just decided it would be easier if I just bought some play sand and mixed in the oyster shell myself. Is there a certain brand or store that sells better play sand then others?

Every region seems to have better/worse places for playsand quality. I think Toys'R us is the better, as they store indoors, and the sand is fine, and dry. A close second is Walmart, but usually since it is outside in the garden dept, the sand is wet. I live in SE Florida, though. Maybe someone closer to your location can tell you what is the best place to get playsand in you area. Good luck

Those were the 2 places I was thinking of but I made a new thread asking to make sure. Thanks for helping