I live near the beach. I just got a couple of hermit crabs. Can I just use sand from the beach for them?

Question

If I use sand from the beach, is there any special cleaning process I would have to do?

Answer 1

I would just rinse the sand out with clean water. It should be fine.

Answer 2

yes u can they live on that beach sand it will not efek them but they tend to stink after a whil u ave to clean them ragalarly

Answer 3

YES you can use beach sand. Its a good idea to bake it though first, put it in a pan and bake at 300 F for 15 minutes.

Answer 4

I'm not sure about the sand but I wouldn't think it's a problem though.  We actually have two hermit crabs and we use the acquarium rocks as you don't have to replace them.  just rinse them out every month or so.  Saves that trip to the beach. Remember  they need water and salt water and you shouldn't use table salt for the salt water.  you need  to use acquarium salt and you need to dechlorinate the water as well.

Answer 5

may contain bacteria and fugus. don't use

Answer 6

I'm sure plain beach sand would be fine.

Only one way to find out. Heh.

Answer 7

nope, washing the sand would probably lace it w/ chemicals and do more harm than good, should be fine as is

Answer 8

My daughter has 3 hermit crabs and we have beach sand and coconut fibers mixed together in there aquarium.  Right now the crabs are under the sand hiding.  The hermit crabs eat the sand as well.  We have an old coconut shell in there as well and they climb up on it and look around.  Hope this helps.