questions about live sand and hermit crabs

[volcomkrew4life]

1.) Does a tank need to be full saltwater for you to use live sand in it? would brackish water suffice? i don't quite understand the idea of 'live' sand. i've had this cheap, very white sand for a while but it's a little bit dirty and the white-ness causes all the dirt to show. i wanna get something with pieces of shell and crushed coral in it to mix in with it and take away the 'old' look.

2.) Do salt water hermit crabs need full salt water conditions or would they survive in high end brackish waters?

3.) Would a small green spotted puffer eat the hermit crabs?

[geronimo69]

1 - "live sand" is sand with small saltwater critters living in it. I've never heard of "live sand" outside of marine aquaria (other than in nature). You could easily add crushed coral to your tank without it being full marine.

2 - I would say yes, they do need 1.023-1.026 to survive long term, but I'm not 100% sure.

3 - In my opinion, if the crabs are small enough, they will for sure get eaten.

[Pufferpunk]

Even my huge red hairy hermit got eaten eventually...
Do a search on the net for live sand to learn what it is.