SPIDER FOUND IN EMPTY SHELL!!!!

[HeyItsEggs]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
5 inches of play sand

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
I have a thermometer and I am working on getting out and buying a hydrometer. The temp sits between 77f and 71f.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
A UVB heat lamp and a UTH mounted on the back of the tank

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?
Both kinds of water. I am not sure what kind of salt because the guy at the pet store just gave us a clear bag with no brand. He said it was used for salt water fish tanks and that it should work. About a spoonful for 17 oz

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed a variety of fruits and veggies and sometimes protein. Every other day the food is switched

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
One of my crabs I have had since September 2016 and the other two since January 2017 when my other two crabs died.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
None of my crabs have molted and I think that one is either molting or destressing

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
A 20 gallon. A lid that is a little small and I have to get a new one soon. It is one of those with the strip of mesh down the middle. If you know what I mean

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
3 mediums

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
8 shells

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
Not that I know of
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Every week I rearrange things and scoop out poop and food

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No sponges

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
A "Boardwalk" climbing thing that I made. Here is the link. http://petdiys.com/diy-hermit-crab-boardwalk/


15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?
I usually check on them daily and record most behavior
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail
I was rearranging and cleaning my tank today and I noticed one of the empty shells that was out for the crabs to change into had a spider in it. I am very nervous... PLEASE HELP

[GotButterflies]

Hello! I responded with GB for GotButterflies

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
5 inches of play sand

GB: You need a minimum of 6 inches or 3 times deeper than the size of your largest crab (whichever is deeper)

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
I have a thermometer and I am working on getting out and buying a hydrometer. The temp sits between 77f and 71f.

GB: You need to get a gauge. Temp and humidity need to be a minimum of 80/80. Surviving and thriving are two different things...You want them to thrive Humidity is needed for hermits to breathe. They have modified gills.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
A UVB heat lamp and a UTH mounted on the back of the tank

GB: Just make sure the UVB isn't zapping humidity. UVB is great for them, but UVB is filtered out with Screen and glass...so is the UVB getting wasted?

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?
Both kinds of water. I am not sure what kind of salt because the guy at the pet store just gave us a clear bag with no brand. He said it was used for salt water fish tanks and that it should work. About a spoonful for 17 oz

GB: You need to know what kind of salt it is. Good that it is for salt water fish tanks, but you need to know the correct measurement for making the water then. It's not a guessing game. They need this for regulating their water that they carry around in their shell.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I feed a variety of fruits and veggies and sometimes protein. Every other day the food is switched

GB: Protein needs to be given regularly. Here is a food pyramid: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92554

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
One of my crabs I have had since September 2016 and the other two since January 2017 when my other two crabs died.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
None of my crabs have molted and I think that one is either molting or destressing

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
A 20 gallon. A lid that is a little small and I have to get a new one soon. It is one of those with the strip of mesh down the middle. If you know what I mean

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
3 mediums

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
8 shells

GB: HCA recommends 3-5 shells per crab. I recommend more. You can never have enough shells. There are incorrect shells to buy. Here is the shell guide. http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 24&t=92552

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
Not that I know of

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Every week I rearrange things and scoop out poop and food

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No sponges

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
A "Boardwalk" climbing thing that I made. Here is the link. http://petdiys.com/diy-hermit-crab-boardwalk/


15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?
I usually check on them daily and record most behavior
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail
I was rearranging and cleaning my tank today and I noticed one of the empty shells that was out for the crabs to change into had a spider in it. I am very nervous... PLEASE HELP

GB: just get the spider out. I wouldn't worry about it. (Unless you are scared of spiders) LOL

[HeyItsEggs]

I am getting a hydrometer today. I need to get a new lid and that might happen today as well. I upgraded at Christmas and it happened so fast I need millions of things!!!


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[HeyItsEggs]

Sometimes i just wish one of you guys were at my house and could tell me what I needed! We could go on a shopping spree and buy every thing!

[mool]

Remove the spider and problem solved. I've had resident spiders in my tanks before that I had a heck of a time eradicating because they laid eggs.

[GotButterflies]

I am getting a hydrometer today. I need to get a new lid and that might happen today as well. I upgraded at Christmas and it happened so fast I need millions of things!!!


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Great! Digital is better imho I also prefer glass lids, but that is me. You cannot set heat lamps on glass. It will crack the glass.


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[GotButterflies]

Sometimes i just wish one of you guys were at my house and could tell me what I needed! We could go on a shopping spree and buy every thing!

Lol, I love shopping sprees! Probably best that we aren't! Lol!!!


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[GotButterflies]

Remove the spider and problem solved. I've had resident spiders in my tanks before that I had a heck of a time eradicating because they laid eggs.

Yikes! Well, I probably should have worded what I said better,but I meant...get the spider out, and then don't worry about it lol!


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[HeyItsEggs]

I was very surprised today! I got the hydrometer today and I thought that my humidity would be like 40%, but it was 70%. I am spraying more and it should be up to 80% in no time!

[GotButterflies]

I was very surprised today! I got the hydrometer today and I thought that my humidity would be like 40%, but it was 70%. I am spraying more and it should be up to 80% in no time!

Well....I would honestly try other options. Moss pits, air stones in the water pools, a glass top would be more beneficial and longer lasting.


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[LadyJinglyJones]

I agree with GB - trying to maintain humidity mostly by spraying takes too much attention & the results are sub-par. That last ten degrees is harder than it seems to bridge and then sustain. A well sealed top is a million times more effective, especially when you add bubblers.

[HeyItsEggs]

Yes I have moss pits as well.