Sands:
The most popular substrate or bedding is play sand which is located at hardware stores. Not all brands are alike, though. Some play sands are low-grade sand made from crushed rocks and have impurities since they are used for the building industry. Make sure the sand is suitable for pet and aquarium use. In Australia the most popular play sand is RichGro Washed Play Sand from Bunnings Harware. Other types of sand substrates include sanitized beach sand, Aragonite sand, Oolitic sand and Coral sand. You will need to dampen the sand. Aim for a consistency that's suitable for building a sand castle
Coconut Fiber:
ZooMed Eco Earth is the most popular coconut fiber used. In Australia you can get the RichGrow
Many hermit crab owners add ZooMed Eco Earth coconut fiber to their playsand in the ratio 5 parts of sand to 1 part coconut fiber. Others use a 8 parts sand to 1 part coconut fiber.
Unsuitable Substrates:
Substrates which we DO NOT recommend are: Calcium / Calci-Sand, Cedar, Corn Shavings Wood Shavings and other reptile beddings made for desert animals. Cedar shavings should never be used as it is toxic to all animals. The oils in cedar are used in pest control because of the damage to arthropods, which would also harm your land hermit crabs. If in doubt as to the brand found locally post a message to the Forum.
The most popular substrate or bedding is play sand which is located at hardware stores. Not all brands are alike, though. Some play sands are low-grade sand made from crushed rocks and have impurities since they are used for the building industry. Make sure the sand is suitable for pet and aquarium use. In Australia the most popular play sand is RichGro Washed Play Sand from Bunnings Harware. Other types of sand substrates include sanitized beach sand, Aragonite sand, Oolitic sand and Coral sand. You will need to dampen the sand. Aim for a consistency that's suitable for building a sand castle
Coconut Fiber:
ZooMed Eco Earth is the most popular coconut fiber used. In Australia you can get the RichGrow
Many hermit crab owners add ZooMed Eco Earth coconut fiber to their playsand in the ratio 5 parts of sand to 1 part coconut fiber. Others use a 8 parts sand to 1 part coconut fiber.
Unsuitable Substrates:
Substrates which we DO NOT recommend are: Calcium / Calci-Sand, Cedar, Corn Shavings Wood Shavings and other reptile beddings made for desert animals. Cedar shavings should never be used as it is toxic to all animals. The oils in cedar are used in pest control because of the damage to arthropods, which would also harm your land hermit crabs. If in doubt as to the brand found locally post a message to the Forum.
