HCA: Hermit Crab Association

What is everyone using in your tank straight sand. straight Eco Earth, mixed or something else
I have beach sand in mine now but getting a bigger tank This is all new for me and grandson
Thanks

5:1 ratio of play sand to eco earth is what most people here use


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We usually try to keep the 5:1 ratio of playsand and Eco Earth for our tanks. Some people also use either straight sand or Eco Earth. Even a mixture thats richer or leaner ratio on Eco Earth.

I believe the most important thing with the substrate is to mix it with dechlorinated water and to cand castle consistency. Once again it can be either fresh or salt water. We have tried both.

After reading a lot of posts about substrate everyone usually mixes it differently. The only thing that stays the same is dechlorinated water and keeping it to sandcastle consistentcy. The HCA recommends the 5:1 ratio but everyone mixes it slightly different.

It's confusing but if you stick to the basic guideline you will be fine.

I use the 5:1 ratio. I have had my crabs for 8+ years, and have upgraded tanks twice in that time. I have never thrown away all the substrate, I have just added more and mixed it together when upgrading to the next tank. I used dechlorinated fresh water to moisten mine when I first started, mostly because I hadn't read about the salt water yet, LOL. Of course I do have to add water (use fresh dechlorinated, not salt) to it to keep it moist on top and on the edges where the UTH heaters are, but I find it holds pretty well and my humidity has never been a problem.

5 parts sand 1 part eco earth. Dechlorinated fresh water til it's sand castle consistantsy

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If you buy the bricks of eco earth it's cheaper than ready to use. It just takes time to get it ready.

I mix mine with dechlorinated marine saltwater (Instant Ocean). I also have never thrown away substrate. I use the Eco Earth bricks as well due to cost effectiveness. I stick to the 5:1 ratio as well.

I do 1/2-1 brick of EE per 50 lbs of sand, marine salt water to mix.

Over time leaf litter, crushed shells, tree bark, and worm castings also make their way into the mix.


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Thanks for all the help just order Eco earth brick, with the brick is all I have to do is pull it all apart ?

Lazerdms wrote:Thanks for all the help just order Eco earth brick, with the brick is all I have to do is pull it all apart ?

Actually you have to soak it (in dechlorinated fresh/saltwater) for awhile, pulling it apart as it softens.

Lazerdms wrote:Thanks for all the help just order Eco earth brick, with the brick is all I have to do is pull it all apart ?

The eco earth bricks will absorb warm dechlorinated water the fastest. Now just decide if you choose to do freshwater or marine saltwater. Don't forget to use your dechlorinator as well

I was going to use fresh water, now in my tank I was thinking of having a small pond with salt water and one with water
any thoughts, where is everyone getting there instant ocean from I did not see any at pet smart

Lazerdms wrote:I was going to use fresh water, now in my tank I was thinking of having a small pond with salt water and one with water
any thoughts, where is everyone getting there instant ocean from I did not see any at pet smart

Petsmart carries Instant Ocean. It is in the fish section.

Yes, you are absolutely going to need one pool of dechlorinated fresh water and one pool of dechlorinated salt water. I order my Instant Ocean online.

I do also, Amazon sells it really cheap Also, our local Petsmart and Petco honor their online prices in their stores.