How do I....

[sami]

How do i sanitize play sand from a hardware store? I've been told its ok to do this but i don't know how to do it safely and properly. I'm also wonder if theres a way to make sure there's no harmful chemicals in the sand and if there is how do i eliminate the harmful chemicals?

If would be awesome if some one could give me some answers, after all i'm really new at this and could use a few pointers. I've done lots of research but i think its also a good idea to ask people who have them as pets themselves. Right now i only have gravel and it really doesn't seem to hold enough heat or moisture. my poor little guys need a better substrate

[HermitPaws]

If its from the hard ware store, and it PLAY sand you dont need to sanitize it...
its ready to use.

[krackersmom2]

Playsand has been processed so that it is safe for use by children. Most of us use playsand straight from the bag for our tats. You will need to moisten it to sand castle consistency with dechlorinated water.

[Hildegarde]

Sami

Hi and welcome!!

You've been given good advice! If you still have concerns there are two other things you can do.

With a large magnet, go over all of the sand to pick up any small bits of medal that may be in there.

Bake the sand at 300* for about 20 minutes.

But, actually, most people use the regular play sand.

By the way, don't worry about getting answers to your questions. You'll probably get more than you'll want!

[sami]

Thank you everyone

[Lukems]

Hello Sami,
You do not need to sanitize play sand, Why would you sanitize it if its safe for children, Then again, Stuff for Our Friends, Are not Good for children to eat.... Hmmmm, Well Lololololololololololoololololololoololooollololol o


Oh and WELCOME!!! Everyone atHCRU is a Hermie Family!

[sami]

Originally Posted by Lukems

Hello Sami,
You do not need to sanitize play sand, Why would you sanitize it if its safe for children, Then again, Stuff for Our Friends, Are not Good for children to eat.... Hmmmm, Well Lololololololololololoololololololoololooollololol o


Oh and WELCOME!!! Everyone atHCRU is a Hermie Family!

Very true....Even some products for hermit crabs are bad for hermit crabs
I know, I feel silly now But at least i know that my new pets will be safe and satisfied with thier new substrate.

[krackersmom2]

If you ever get sand straight from the beach, it will need to be sanitized. I cannot imagine trying to sanitize enough sand for my 29 gallon.....I'd be baking sand for a week

[sami]

Oh my Gosh that would take forever! I sanitized mine just to be on the safe side, and lucky for me i've only got a ten gallon aquarium. I have 2 PP's and i want to have 4 - 6 in this aquarium. do u think a ten gallon aquarium is big enough for 4-6 small hermits?

[krackersmom2]

Yes, I have 6 smalls in a 10 gallon. My other tat is 29 gallons with a jumbo and five med/large crabs. You could probably have 7 or 8 smalls with no problem. I also have a second level in my 10 gallon.