What substrate should I use?

Let’s compare:

• Where to buy it
• How to use it
• How to clean it
• Pros and Cons

Sand (play sand or beach sand)

• Play sand can be purchased at most hardware stores
• Sift it and then pour into the tank, 2 – 3 inches deep, moisten SLIGHTLY
• Sift it, bake it in the oven at 350F for 20 minutes, cool thoroughly before returning it to the tank
• Its cheap, easy to use, easy to find and the crabs love it. On the downside, its messy and gets everywhere.

Calci-Sand

• Most pet stores sell it or buy it online
• Pour it in to the tank, 2-3 inches deep
• Sift it, bake it in the oven at 350F for 20 minutes, cool thoroughly before returning it to the tank
• If offers calcium to the crabs. On the downside, its expensive, its clumpy, it smells bad when its wet.

Forest Bedding**/Eco Earth

• Most pet stores sell it or buy it online
• The package will tell you how much warm water to add to the material. Place it in a large enough container to allow it to expand, A LOT. Don’t make it soggy, make it slightly damp. It should be light and feathery when you run your hands through it. Add liberally to your tank.
• It can’t be reused, throw it out and make new
• Its cheap, easy to use smells earthy and the crabs seem to enjoy digging in it. You can plant seeds in it and grow fresh sprouts for your crabs. On the downside, it’s messy!

Coral Sand

• Most bigger pet stores carry some version of it
• Rinse it, dry it and add to the tank 2- 3 inches deep
• Rinse it, dry it. Bake it if you want, same as the sand
• Very attractive, offers calcium to the crabs, not messy and the crabs can still dig. On the downside, it’s expensive and will not clump to form a molting cave. It also takes a long time to dry out.

Gravel

• Pet Stores or anywhere with fish supplies
• Rinse it well, bake it same as the sand and then add to your tank
• Rinse and bake to sterilize and clean
• Its cheap. On the downside, it stinks when wet, crabs don’t seem to like it, its difficult to dig in and not good for molting. Gravel is a POOR choice of substrate.

** There are several versions of this product. The one named FOREST BEDDING seems to be the best for resisting mold.