Beach Sand??

[mysteryGirl]

Hello Everyone!! I'm new here and owe you all a proper introduction, but I have an important question first. I adopted my 2 hermit crabs (PP I believe) last weekend at the beach. I did reading before getting them and read that you could use beach sand. I brought a lot home for them. This is from a page that seemed pretty reputable...I read some of the same information they gave on several pages. But now I just read from someone else that you shouldn't use beach sand. I'm confused. It's been over 20 years since I had hermit crabs as pets, so I'm way out of the loop and just want to do things right. Anyone have some information on this? Since I got one opinion each way, I want to see if there is more info out there.

Thanks!

[CallaLily]

In some places it is illegal to take beach sand, so double check for your area. Another concern is anything that may have been brought in with the sand. Pollution, bacteria, bugs, etc. You can bake it to take care of any nasties though, and avoid collecting it in polluted areas (again, if legal). I'm not sure on temperature or time though.

Personally, I find using play sand best. No worries about disturbing the beach (or breaking the law) and it's already screened and washed. Pretty cheap too with 50 pound bags usually sold for under $5 at most home improvement stores. Mix in a little cocofiber and you have an even better substrate for your crabs to dig and molt in.

And welcome to the HCA!

[StarWarsHermitCrab]

Welcome to the HCA. You haven't had pet hermit crabs in 20 years.
What happened?

[mysteryGirl]

I always got them when I was little at the beach. Back then there wasn't as much knowledge. I can remember my Grandfather and I setting up what we thought was the best for them. With today's knowledge, that would have been poor conditions!! I don't really remember much about having them other than always making sure they had lots of sand and then my Grandfather and I setting up a large plastic carrier.

[Form]

The sand in my tank is about 50/50 play sand/beach sand and also has some shells and wood that came directly from the beach. My theory was that since it was all soaked through with salt water, it might help prevent mold. I haven't had much mold problems there or elsewhere in the tank though so I can't say if it worked.

Anyway I've had my crabs in it for 1.5 years and they've all molted multiple times, so I'd call it safe, although I think one is now dead (never came up from a molt). It does seem to hold tunnels really well, it is a much smaller grain size than the play sand.