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

How do i keep a sand substrate (for hermit crabs) moist.?

• well i know how to keep eco fiber and forest bedding but what about sand. i need to know how u can keep it moist cause when u get sand wet does it stink. the sand i want is not the price e sand for hermit crabs, but it is a sand designed for hermit crabs. there is a difference.

• Answer:

  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 cocsensus 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. Hello! Welcome to HERMIT-CRABS.COM. My name is Christa Wilkin, and I've owned land hermit crabs for over 35 years. Anyway Christa wilkins says about (special sand) is the following, There are also many different varieties of sand available. The most expensive ones come in small bags and are labeled as special "hermit crab sand." Don't be fooled! When it comes to general crab care, "sand is sand is sand" and it doesn't matter where it comes from, as long as it is clean. You can get a 50 lb. bag of clean play sand from a hardware store for the same amount you'd pay for 2 small bags of "hermit crab sand." (Try to get a bag of play sand which is towards the middle of the pallet, otherwise, it may be wet or contaminated.) A word of caution about play sand. Some crab owners have reported problems with an orange-colored play sand they purchased from Home Depot. The sand had an oily, diesel-like smell to it. If you open the bag of sand and notice any "off" smell, throw it out or take it back to the store. Do not put any strong-smelling sand into your crabitat. One sand that has been of consistent good quality is "high desert sand." You only need to concern yourself with special sand if you have a sick crab that needs calcium. I hope I have been helpful