Suitability of Quartz Sand
Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 9:37 pm
Hi folks
Sorry to pose a question about sandy substrate because I know the last question I asked has also been asked about a thousand times - I'm a nervous new crab-mum! I did a search on this forum and found some references to the suitability or not of quartz as a substrate but all I got was confused!
When I was setting the crab environment up I bought sand that was marked as being suitable for hermit crabs. I am fairly horrified to learn from what I've been reading here, though, that that doesn't mean the sand IS actually suitable for hermit crabs! It is by Pisces Natural Products and is Quartz Sand. It states that it is specially formulated for use in the an aquarium or terrarium and for hermit crabs. It also states that it is natural quartz, pH neutral, no artificial colours and that it is washed. It certainly holds together beautifully when it's damp, doesn't smell at all and the active crab (one has buried itself right down deep) is having fun digging around in it. Should I be mixing something else in with it? Changing the substrate is not an option at the moment because of the buried crab - it is a new addition and so may be destressing or moulting - I don't want to disturb it. My concern is that I've put a substrate in there which isn't a good long term option.
Any clear answer will be gratefully received!! Don't want to be doing anything to hurt the little guys.
H
Sorry to pose a question about sandy substrate because I know the last question I asked has also been asked about a thousand times - I'm a nervous new crab-mum! I did a search on this forum and found some references to the suitability or not of quartz as a substrate but all I got was confused!
When I was setting the crab environment up I bought sand that was marked as being suitable for hermit crabs. I am fairly horrified to learn from what I've been reading here, though, that that doesn't mean the sand IS actually suitable for hermit crabs! It is by Pisces Natural Products and is Quartz Sand. It states that it is specially formulated for use in the an aquarium or terrarium and for hermit crabs. It also states that it is natural quartz, pH neutral, no artificial colours and that it is washed. It certainly holds together beautifully when it's damp, doesn't smell at all and the active crab (one has buried itself right down deep) is having fun digging around in it. Should I be mixing something else in with it? Changing the substrate is not an option at the moment because of the buried crab - it is a new addition and so may be destressing or moulting - I don't want to disturb it. My concern is that I've put a substrate in there which isn't a good long term option.
Any clear answer will be gratefully received!! Don't want to be doing anything to hurt the little guys.
H
It is confusing!