i found for hatchling soft shells that sand sometimes is the reason they dont eat. i've had several softies just sit in the sand all day and ignore food. most of them were wild caught hatchling spineys but a few floridas as well. i have a very fine gravel that most hatchlings cannot get all the way through but cover themslelves just enough to feel secure and that seems to work the best for me. once they are fat and healthy i switch them to sand. just my 2 cents