HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So I recently came across an online assertion that gave me pause: pure coco fibre leeches acidity over time & will adversely affect crab exo. I've obviously never tested the moisture from coco sub for acidity, and don't know,
A) what pH we're even talking about
B) whether regular contact with moist sub at higher pH might indeed substantially affect hermits.

On this site I've always read that this is an acceptable sub because people use it 'just fine'. But I'm terribly curious now.

I'm considering setting up a trial of coco fibre moistened with RO water, at about 7.4 pH, & staight tap (which for me is 7.9). I'd like to test how acidity builds up (or doesn't) over 6 months, 9 months, & a year.

Is this something people would like to hear about?

Are there previous convos (that I didn't find when searching - I found a post about shells being dulled when buried in pur coco, but not much else) about this that shed light on HCA's possition?

Any other thoughts? It's really just a matter I hadn't previously considered. And now I'm considering it.

Previous convo about pure Coco on this site (for context):

http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... ty#p704274

pH of cocofiber is 5.5.

pH of tropical soils is 5.5

pH of rainwater 5.5

If the posts still exist, I refuted this myth years ago and linked to papers proving as such.

Hmmm.... now I have to find them.

Edit: voila! (Though not being able to search 'pH' slows things down.)

http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... ty#p733417

You are awesome! I couldn't find it through Tapatalk.

Just to update, that was in 2011. While I didn't use EE for very long (it actually sets my allergies off pretty badly) I did end up using peat moss for both my hermits and scorpions.

It's true that scorpions are not affected and my oldest are going on 6 years with exos that looks as shiney as they did 4.5 years ago when they molted into adults. They don't molt again after that. I think they must have some sort of protective coating that keeps them looking perfect, or their black coloring hides any wear.

Hermits on the other hand will start to show signs of staining before their next regular molt. However, with a molt the discoloration completely repaired. Shells do take a beating, but I find that sand does just as much damage. Where sand will wear down the exterior making it very dull, peat instead stains it and makes it brown so it's even more noticeable.

I was using a mix that was 50% peat and liked it. I'm using straight sand now and like it. In the future I'll probably do a mix of the two at about 90% sand and 10% peat since a little goes a long way and I like lighter substrate.

Hm. Insects have a waxy layer on the surface of their cuticle that is presumed to trap moisture. Crustaceans don't have it. I don't know about arachnids. I'll have to look it up.

I have been using just the Coco fiber for 4 yrs I haven't had any problems..( knock on wood)


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LJJ, I just thought about it, but since you're interested in soil composition over time - local extension offices offer soil sample testing for a reasonable fee. It's a pretty in depth analysis. It's there for backyard gardeners to have an easier time of getting plants to grow, but I don't see a reason it couldn't be used for crabitat purposes as well, so long as it was within the budget!

That is a great idea.