HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hey, I am reworking my crabitat and I have come across a question that I can’t find the answer to. I would like to use aquarium gravel in my fresh water pool and aquarium sand in my salt water pool. I can’t find any websites saying specifically that I can’t use gravel or aquarium sand in them but I would really like to make certain with y’all. Thanks

How big are your pools and are you running bubblers or filters in them?

I wouldn't think adding gravel or sand would be harmful, just more of a pain when changing water.

I use one of those battery powered wand style pumps to pump out my pools every 3-4days. Sand would chew up my pump in short order. Every few weeks or so I'll remove my pools for a better cleaning (they're doubled up 1 quart plastic containers)

My pools aren’t quite big enough for a filter but I have fish so I am fairly accustomed to cleaning the rocks and sand. I do have another question too. Do you think the crabs use salt or freshwater more? That will kind of determine how I go about setting up the pools. Of course both will be sufficiently sized but which one would be more beneficial to be bigger.

I don't think you could predict which pool they'll use more. I'm only ~5 months into keeping hermit crabs (properly) and I've never seen any of my 6 crabs use the pools at all, although I get evidence of usage in both.

When you say cleaning your rocks and sand, is this in regards to gravel vacuuming?

I've been an avid fish keeper for 40+ years. My planted tanks do not get gravel vacuumed and I've never cleaned any rocks/gravel unless it's something I'm taking out of use for storage.

Yeah I always use a gravel vacuum as part of a water change in fish tanks. I have always had planted aquariums too although no grasses or small creatures to worry about. Thanks a lot for the help

Im always team 'add something to the pool so they have traction'. When they submerge, or of they do, they like to go to the bottom and let most of the air out. Something to grip on makes it a lot easier.