Substrate question

[NLindsey921]

If I add a one inch layer of sand on top of my mostly ee substrate about how long would it take the crabs to mix it up.

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[NLindsey921]

Is it even safe to add one inch of same when I have a couple molters down.

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[Kermie16]

Just would depend on if u have diggers and how frequently ur hermies are molting. I have a 55g that I set up over this past summer and I basically made a sand-EE parfait with alternating layers of ee and sand as some other HCA members had done. Since I set it up, I have had all 5 of my crabs molt in it multiple times and there are a few patches on the bottom where I can see where things were stirred up and, of course, the top layer is mixed with them running around and also digging. But otherwise, the parfait still looks pretty neat
When adding sub and u have molters down, best to only gently add maybe a max of an inch at a time and do not pack it down as it can potentially collapse tunnels.


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[NLindsey921]

OK. So if I have sand on the top layer and they are constantly digging around it should get mixed up quickly.

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[Kermie16]

At least the top layer for sure. Esp since after my guys mess up the tank, I like to gently smooth things back out so that also contributes to the mixing


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[NLindsey921]

Yeah. I already had one crab dig a nice round hole but it didn't contribute much to the mixing.

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[NLindsey921]

These crabs are already starting to mix it up with their tunneling. Of course not very much though.

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