What is the ideal substrate for hermit crabs?

The ideal substrate for hermit crabs is a moist sand and soil mix. Many crab keepers recommend a five-to-one mix of sand and coconut coir fiber. You can also use just hermit crab sand or coconut fiber on its own, or choose a bioactive substrate made to foster good hygiene naturally.

What should I put in the bottom of my hermit crab tank?

You should put several inches of hermit crab sand, soil, or substrate at the bottom of your hermit crab tank — ideal depth will vary, but it should be at least three times as deep as the height of your crabs. Moisten the substrate to a roughly "sandcastle" consistency, taking care not to soak it too much.

Is sand a good substrate for hermit crabs?

Sand is a good substrate for hermit crabs. Just be sure to choose a hermit crab-safe, packaged sand, since sand gathered from outdoors may harbor parasites, insects, or pathogens. Landscaping sand is also not recommended, as it may be too heavy or dusty for your hermit crabs' needs.

What is better for hermit crabs, sand or gravel?

Sand is better for hermit crabs due to its light, diggable consistency. Gravel is too heavy for digging and it may be rough, as well.

How often do you change hermit crab bedding?

You don't usually have to change hermit crab bedding too often. Many people leave their substrate in place for months or even years. Unless there's an issue like a bacterial bloom, insect infestation, or flooding, you shouldn't need to change out your substrate, but talk to your vet if you have questions or concerns.

Hermit Crab Substrate & Bedding - Page 2 (Free Shipping)

CaribSea Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Aquarium Sand, 20-lb bag

Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars

23

$18.94 Chewy Price

($0.95/lb) Price per Unit

$23.50 List Price

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CaribSea Super Naturals Moonlight Freshwater Sand, 20-lb bag slide 2 of 2

CaribSea Super Naturals Moonlight Freshwater Sand, 20-lb bag

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

64

$19.84 Chewy Price

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Zoo Med Creatures Floor Reptile Habitat Substrate, 1-qt bag

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

6

$3.37 Chewy Price

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Galapagos Live Oak Leaves Reptile Litter, Natural, 4-qt slide 2 of 6

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Galapagos Live Oak Leaves Reptile Litter, Natural, 4-qt

Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars

57

$14.99 Chewy Price

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Exo Terra Coco Husk Tropical Terrarium Reptile Substrate, 8-qt

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

151

$11.99 Chewy Price

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Josh's Frogs Magnolia Reptile Leaf Litter, 1-gal bag

Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars

10

$19.99 Chewy Price

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Arrives between Sep 4 and Sep 8

Zoo Med Eco Carpet Reptile Liner

$4.99 Chewy Price

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Komodo Coir Chips, Brown, 6 count, 60-gal

Rated 3.2 out of 5 stars

10

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$25.97 List Price

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Zoo Med Vita-Sand All Natural Vitamin-Fortified Calcium Carbonate Substrate, Sonoran White, 10-...

Rated 3.6 out of 5 stars

95

$13.99 Chewy Price

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Reptile Prime Extra Fine Coconut Fiber Reptile Substrate, 12-qt bag

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

13

$16.99 Chewy Price

$18.99 List Price

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CaribSea Super Naturals Sunset Gold Freshwater Sand, 20-lb bag

Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars

54

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$28.59 List Price

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Zilla Coconut Husk Brick Premium Reptile Bedding, 1.43-lb bag

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

48

$6.79 Chewy Price

($4.75/lb) Price per Unit

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Galapagos Magnolia Terrarium Leaves, 4-qt bag

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

35

$13.99 Chewy Price

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Galapagos Walnut Bedding Reptil Bedding, 8-qt bag

Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars

23

$19.99 Chewy Price

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Josh's Frogs Coco Cradle Brick Reptile Substrate, 1.43-lbs, 3 count

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

1

$21.99 Chewy Price

($5.13/lb) Price per Unit

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CaribSea African Cichlid Mix Ivory Coast Aquarium Sand, 20-lb bag

Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars

27

$15.41 Chewy Price

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Zoo Med Premium Repti Bark Natural Fir Reptile Bedding, 24-qt bag

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars

377

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Exotic Pebbles Polished Jade Reptile & Terrarium Gravel, Jade, 20-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

43

$24.99 Chewy Price

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Zoo Med Blue Hermit Crab Sand, 2-lb bag

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

5

$4.99 Chewy Price

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Exo Terra Plantation Soil Tropical Terrarium Reptile Substrate, 7.2-qt

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars

36

$12.99 Chewy Price

$18.19 List Price

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Stoney River Premium Aquarium Sand, 5-lb bag, Black

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

49

$7.99 Chewy Price

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Galapagos Spanish Moss Reptile Terrarium Moss, 150 cubic inch bag

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

4

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CaribSea Arag-Alive! Hawaiian Black Aquarium Sand, 10-lb bag

Rated 3.3 out of 5 stars

14

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CaribSea Eco-Complete Cichlid Aquarium Substrate, 20-lb bag

Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars

21

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GloFish Aquarium Sand, 5-lb bag

Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars

14

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Fluker's Repta Moss Reptile Terranium Bedding, 8-qt bag

Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars

35

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CaribSea Aragamax Sugar-Sized Aquarium Sand, 30-lb bag

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

14

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Galapagos Royal Pillow Moss Reptile & Amphibian Terrarium Moss, Fresh Green, 8-qt bag

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

14

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Galapagos Tropicoco Husk Coconut Reptile Bedding, 8-qt bag

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

31

$3.99 Chewy Price

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Exo Terra Jungle Earth Tropical Terrarium Reptile Substrate, 8-qt

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

13

$14.99 Chewy Price

$20.68 List Price

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Exotic Pebbles Polished Mixed Reptile & Terrarium Pebbles, 20-lb bag

Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars

14

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Chewy brand

Frisco Fir Bark Reptile Bedding, 24-qt

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Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars

38

$23.56 Chewy Price

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Zoo Med Eco Carpet, 50-gal

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

15

$12.25 Chewy Price

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Zoo Med Hermit Crab Sand

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

7

$4.99 Chewy Price

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CaribSea Seaflor Special Aragonite Aquarium Sand, 40-lb bag

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

37

$48.99 Chewy Price

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Galapagos Sheet Moss Reptile & Amphibian Terrarium Moss, Fresh Green, 150 cubic inch bag

Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars

19

$9.99 Chewy Price

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Hermit Crab Substrate & Bedding

CaribSea Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Aquarium Sand, 20-lb bag

CaribSea Super Naturals Moonlight Freshwater Sand, 20-lb bag

Zoo Med Creatures Floor Reptile Habitat Substrate, 1-qt bag

Galapagos Live Oak Leaves Reptile Litter, Natural, 4-qt

Exo Terra Coco Husk Tropical Terrarium Reptile Substrate, 8-qt

Josh's Frogs Magnolia Reptile Leaf Litter, 1-gal bag

Zoo Med Eco Carpet Reptile Liner

Komodo Coir Chips, Brown, 6 count, 60-gal

Zoo Med Vita-Sand All Natural Vitamin-Fortified Calcium Carbonate Substrate, Sonoran White, 10-...

Reptile Prime Extra Fine Coconut Fiber Reptile Substrate, 12-qt bag

CaribSea Super Naturals Sunset Gold Freshwater Sand, 20-lb bag

Zilla Coconut Husk Brick Premium Reptile Bedding, 1.43-lb bag

Galapagos Magnolia Terrarium Leaves, 4-qt bag

Galapagos Walnut Bedding Reptil Bedding, 8-qt bag

Josh's Frogs Coco Cradle Brick Reptile Substrate, 1.43-lbs, 3 count

CaribSea African Cichlid Mix Ivory Coast Aquarium Sand, 20-lb bag

Zoo Med Premium Repti Bark Natural Fir Reptile Bedding, 24-qt bag

Exotic Pebbles Polished Jade Reptile & Terrarium Gravel, Jade, 20-lb bag

Zoo Med Blue Hermit Crab Sand, 2-lb bag

Exo Terra Plantation Soil Tropical Terrarium Reptile Substrate, 7.2-qt

Stoney River Premium Aquarium Sand, 5-lb bag, Black

Galapagos Spanish Moss Reptile Terrarium Moss, 150 cubic inch bag

CaribSea Arag-Alive! Hawaiian Black Aquarium Sand, 10-lb bag

CaribSea Eco-Complete Cichlid Aquarium Substrate, 20-lb bag

GloFish Aquarium Sand, 5-lb bag

Fluker's Repta Moss Reptile Terranium Bedding, 8-qt bag

CaribSea Aragamax Sugar-Sized Aquarium Sand, 30-lb bag

Galapagos Royal Pillow Moss Reptile & Amphibian Terrarium Moss, Fresh Green, 8-qt bag

Galapagos Tropicoco Husk Coconut Reptile Bedding, 8-qt bag

Exo Terra Jungle Earth Tropical Terrarium Reptile Substrate, 8-qt

Exotic Pebbles Polished Mixed Reptile & Terrarium Pebbles, 20-lb bag

Frisco Fir Bark Reptile Bedding, 24-qt

Zoo Med Eco Carpet, 50-gal

Zoo Med Hermit Crab Sand

CaribSea Seaflor Special Aragonite Aquarium Sand, 40-lb bag

Galapagos Sheet Moss Reptile & Amphibian Terrarium Moss, Fresh Green, 150 cubic inch bag

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