Calci-sand

[Papatoad]

I try to avoid posting unless I need help. The answers are usually able to be found somewhere on this site. When I got my hermits they were in leaves and bark. Then I bought a T-rex calci-sand. I read calci-sand bad. So I bought small gravel. They can't burrow in it. Then I bought play sand to tide them over till something better came along. Now I am reading old posts and come to find that the play sand I have is quickcrete, which is a death sentence. Here is my question. I am going to coconut fiber. Here is the question. (Drum roll) Can I mix the T-rex calci-sand and coconut fiber together? I used the calci-sand before and had no ill effects, no clumping or binding. One pp has gone into what I gather is a dormant stage. I haven't seen him for a week. I know where he is. He is about to be dug up. The other lives in the coconut hut, and only comes out at night. I am going to clean the play sand out and replace it with coconut fiber. THESE PETS MAKE ME NUTS!!!!!!

[emmac350]

Don't mix the Calci-sand with coconut fiber. While you may not have had any ill effects with it to this point, there have been enough crabs dying from its use to warrant you not using it. Even if it is mixed with coconut fiber, it will be damp, which means that if the calci-sand dries, it will clump. Those clumps have in the past occurred in crabs' shells, puncturing their abdomens and killing them. It also tends to smell bad when wet for long periods of time, so that may encourage you not to use it as well.

[ladybug15057]

I agree with Emma, but I have read quite a few postings where the calsi sand dried within the shell with the cocofiber and formed like a cement where the hermie/molter was not able to come out of his shell. You can wash and bake the calsi (if it is not colored) and put it in their food dish as a form of calcium.

[CrabbyJo]

One pp has gone into what I gather is a dormant stage. I haven't seen him for a week. I know where he is. He is about to be dug up.

Do NOT Dig up the crab that you feel is "dormant"!

Do you understand molting? Never, ever dig up a buried crab. They will bury for months at a time sometimes to molt. Mine usually take at least 3 weeks, usually longer.

Please read the section on molting.
Many people make the mistake of not knowing about molting, it's the most important thing to know about your crab, yet even pet stores are the least informed, and act like it's no big deal. Many a crab has died because it's owner didn't know about molting.

[Papatoad]

Sorry, I did not mean to alarm you. I did not dig him up. I will when I replace the substrate. Both crabs moulted last month. I am still looking for a sutable substrate. They love digging in the sand but it is quickcrete sand. I wanted to replace it with the calci sand I had taken out before and mix it with coco fiber. But that is a no no.Of course after I posted I read an old post about not doing that. I am finishing up my second story. It came out kinda neat. Will try to post a picture sometime.

[mamaturtle2000]

Although I am by no means an expert (I came here for help on all the stuff I DON'T know ), I have read a lot that says that the coco substrate is a good one to use and mine seem to love it. I mixed calci-sand in with mine, although it is only about 2 cups (or less) mixed into my 4-6 inches (I vary the depths for variety) of substrate throughout my entire 209 gallon tank. However, I have been recently told that I am to get it out as it can scratch them. I haven't had any problems with clumping as it is literally grains of it mixed in with all the substrate, and I have one who just molted in it yesterday!

[CrabbyJo]

Mamaturtle,
I wouldn't worry too much about getting the calci-sand out fast - it can wait till your next deep clean. Crabs dig in sand in the wild, and it by no means is rounded or soft for them. As it is only single grains mixed in (not patches or large amounts) I wouldn't worry too much for now.
I prefer to use the oolitic sands for my crabs, as they are rounded and less likely to cause any problems if they get into their shell with their very soft abdomen, but in truth, I do use a non-oolitic sand in my iso (it is Carib-Sea aragonite sand, nonetheless), so personally, I don't think you should be alarmed about sharp grains scratching your crab. I just do like to have the oolitic sand in the main tank as I know it is best.
I myself do wonder about the colorants used in the calci-sand, and also don't care for the idea that it will clump and smell and mold. It just doesn't seem a natural substrate you'd give a critter, so I choose to go with the aragonite sands and the coco fiber.

Emma: Just read your post about the calci sand having extremely rough edges.. I didn't realize that and come to think of it, since it's man made, it could be very different from the rough sands in the wild, so I'm with you.

Papatoad,
As long as you are 100% sure the crab is not molting, then digging up for a deep clean is okay. I had to do it myself once (I still felt awful freaking my poor crab out like that!).

I did have an injured crab that came up from a molt and went down again 3 weeks later to regrow the limbs he lost in the first molt. I've also heard of crabs going down one month later, as if they were on a molting marathon. Just some things to be aware of.
I guess you would just make sure the crab that is digging isn't showing any other pre-molt symptoms.

Sorry, I get freaked out about people digging up crabs! So many die from it, it's sad.

[Papatoad]

Now I am starting to wonder. The crab who is buried is the one who had the horrible moult. I thought he was dead when it did a surface moult. Is it possible it is moulting again? So soon? I thought it would be at least 6 months before he would be close to being ready. I will wait for him to surface before doing anything. They ate almost all of the old exo and readily eat cuddlebone. They both seem to be doing fine. One is definetly more active than the other. I thought it was in their personalities. Better safe than sorry. Thank you for the heads up.

[ladybug15057]

If he was left handicapped from his last molt he could be molting this soon.

[Papatoad]

Here is a little update. The crab in question was out of his burrow this morning. With evidence someone was in the salt water. I did a close careful exam on him. He is growing a gel bud. It's still very small. I saw no water sac and his color is very good. I purchased eco earth yesterday and am going to change the substrate today while he is out and about. I don't think he is ready, but is thinking about moulting. Which makes me estatic. He is missing his big claw and one leg is halfway backwards. It hasn't slowed him down any. I want to say thanks again. I am here to learn how to give them the best care possible.