HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Back in July when we got our crabs, I made the noob mistake of using calcium sand as the substrate. I did not mix this sand with any water.

I noticed a couple weeks ago that one of the crabs is missing and I’m guessing it’s molting. I was going to change out their substrate but am not now. Should I be concerned about a crab molting in calci sand?

If the sand is dry you need to get the crab out of it. Dry sand won't hold a tunnel and the crab will suffocate.

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soilentgringa wrote:If the sand is dry you need to get the crab out of it. Dry sand won't hold a tunnel and the crab will suffocate.

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Thank you! I will!

As a newbie myself I just wanted to say good luck!! That calci sand is the worst... I managed to get 90% out of my old tank...what’s left was mixed in with EE for a temporary Isolation for a last minute crab someone gave me. He soon burrowed so I’m waiting for him to resurface so I can completely redo it all.

fandt94 wrote:As a newbie myself I just wanted to say good luck!! That calci sand is the worst... I managed to get 90% out of my old tank...what’s left was mixed in with EE for a temporary Isolation for a last minute crab someone gave me. He soon burrowed so I’m waiting for him to resurface so I can completely redo it all.

There were a lot of legacy crabbers who swore by a mix similar to yours - the EE dilutes the calci sand to where it is safe. Given the price and the consistancy, playsand is always a better choice, but what you have know was shown to be safe.

wodesorel wrote:

fandt94 wrote:As a newbie myself I just wanted to say good luck!! That calci sand is the worst... I managed to get 90% out of my old tank...what’s left was mixed in with EE for a temporary Isolation for a last minute crab someone gave me. He soon burrowed so I’m waiting for him to resurface so I can completely redo it all.

There were a lot of legacy crabbers who swore by a mix similar to yours - the EE dilutes the calci sand to where it is safe. Given the price and the consistancy, playsand is always a better choice, but what you have know was shown to be safe.

Thank you! That makes me feel better... I can’t really even notice there is even any of the calci sand because I got most of it out...just green flecks here and there lol. I still plan on completely redoing that tank with play sand and EE since it’s mostly EE now.

I just wanted to say thanks for all of the advice! I did a fast substrate swap today and found my one guy buried under the dry calci sand... and he was still alive! I quick gave him a bath to get the crap off of him, then put him back in his home once it was ready. I don’t see him now so I think he immediately buried himself again. Below is a pic of him after I rescued him.

Remember this fella that tried to molt in the calci sand? Well, he was saved and after redoing their tat correctly returned immediately to molting. He just surfaced tonight! Here he is climbing the plant and he was def scourging for food. I’m so excited!

ApePlanet wrote:Remember this fella that tried to molt in the calci sand? Well, he was saved and after redoing their tat correctly returned immediately to molting. He just surfaced tonight! Here he is climbing the plant and he was def scourging for food. I’m so excited!

Yay! Welcome back little guy! Glad all is well with him

So, now my resurfaced molter has buried himself again this morning. Is this normal behavior?

ApePlanet wrote:So, now my resurfaced molter has buried himself again this morning. Is this normal behavior?

The one I have that had the successful molt not long ago buries every morning for the day so that sounds normal to me...

fandt94 wrote:

ApePlanet wrote:So, now my resurfaced molter has buried himself again this morning. Is this normal behavior?

The one I have that had the successful molt not long ago buries every morning for the day so that sounds normal to me...

That’s great to hear then. I wasn’t too concerned but curious.