HCA: Hermit Crab Association

All I've ever used is EE and so I noticed that most of you crabbers out there use a mix of EE and sand, I was just curious as to the reason why you mix the two together. Is there really a need for the sand? Does the added sand make the substrate better? I put alot of oak leaves in my tank and the EE naturally breaks them down after awhile, so that is a part of the substrate. All the crabs are doing great and they are all having good molts. Lately I've been thinking of maybe adding some sand, but I'm just worried about upsetting the balance I already have in the tank, really should I be? Probably not, but that's just how I am. If there should be some sand, what sand would be the "best" kind to add? I've thought about doing partial substrate changes every once in awhile using something like what they have at the Crabbagepatch, one bag at a time. What do you say? Or should I just leave it the way it is?

I used just EE for a while. But what I have found is that some of my crabs like the way the sand feels, where as I find others who like to dig in the EE. I just redid my little 10 and I have 3 substrate choices sand, a mix and just EE. my last crabbie who came up from her 2 molt is now in the sand where as before she was limited to the EE my med/large LOVES the EE, but my tiny...well besides hanging from the netting ALL THE TIME... loves the mixture... I don't think you would be disappointed if you added the sand. However it does sound like you have a pretty successful tank regardless of sand!

If you do want to get sand go to your local hardware store and by some good quality play sand. I microwave mine, but others bake theirs(either way stuff dies) sand when kept at sand castle consistency offers a nice boost to humidity.

So when its all said and done its really up to you.

Happy crabbing!

Okie~ I think it is up to you...what I have is half EE and the half play sand...I had a straw that dug down in the EE and tunneled to the sand and molted...and I have an E that likes to dig in sand...also the sand is inorganic so my large piece of grapevine stopped molding on the sand..which is great..your crabbies may like a little change...

I'm really thinking hard about adding it, the Walmart here just got in some very nice plain white playsand, the grain looks fine, not chunky like that quickrete. I'm just wondering how many other people here at HCA have used only EE over a long period of time successfully, probably not very many. I just have a hard time changing things that have already been established, and if I do, I want to do it right. I wish I could just go down to the Florida beach where the hermits are and get some of that sand, but no can do. The problem is I have a 55 Gallon tank and I like to keep 8-9 inches of substrate, I don't want to make it too heavy and compacted. Good grief, I worry too much I guess lol.

Okie wrote:All I've ever used is EE and so I noticed that most of you crabbers out there use a mix of EE and sand, I was just curious as to the reason why you mix the two together.

I use both, but do not mix.

I've used EE by itself for about two years with no problems.

I also use both but not mixed. One side has sand, one has EE.

I say, if it aint broke, don't fix it!

I use all natural Florida Sand (I go on vacation a lot!) So when I come home (to Wisconsin) I bake it because its all natural I am going again in like 2 weeks! I will bring back shells and lots of awesome stuff for my Hermes like I say free souvenirs !