How do you keep a sand substrate moist for hermit crabs?

How do u keep a sand substrate moist for hermit crabs?

• like in a 10 gallon set up, with a screen lid, and a fluorescent light. how many sprays will make it moist just right? and also will 20 lbs of sand be a good amount for a 10 gallon.

• Answer:

  It doesn't matter about the tank size. It depends on the humidity in the outside enviroment also, the lower the humidity in the air the quicker the sand will dry out. Do not go by pounds go by inches in the bottom of your tank so your hermit crabs can burrow to hide, coll off or start the molting process. You need at least three inches or more. Also here is the answer for the other similar question of yours. Sand for hermit crabs should be the consistancy of sand that you would use to build a sand castle, I would use a brackish dechlorinated water to keep it moist, That is the consensus among hermit crab owners that have been doing it for a long time, to keep it from drying out you will have to keep adding fresh water so it doesn't get too salty. Unfortunately sand does not have the composting capabilities that forest bedding or eco fiber that is the first choise among long term serious keepers, so it will get smelly and nasty quicker than eco fiber. Also, When humidty gets extremely low in the winter because of artificial heating in my house I will resort to the use of a sponge, but use a deep bowl so that the crabs can dip their shells into the standing water as well as aiding the smaller crabs to safely escape. The sponge helps by using evaporation by providing a larger surface area from where the water evaporates. Have a couple extra sponges so they may be switched on a regularly to prevent the growth of mold or bacterial growth. Rinse in hot water with a short soak in a sea salt solution then followed by a rinse in dechlorinated water will help keep your investment in good working order. Squeeze out the extra water and allow them to completely air dry in the sun. Large natural sponges can be expensive, and their upkeep is mandatory as they sit in water with crabs crawling on them making them a prime breeding ground for bacteria which can kill your crabs, neglecting sponge upkeep on a regular basis is asking for problems.