HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I was changing the water pools today, and when I picked up the freshwater, I noticed an air pocket underneath it. It's nighttime and the lighting isn't great so I can't tell exactly, but pretty sure there's a crab buried in that air pocket (all three went down a while ago for a molt). There's a possibility he's not molting, but I feel really bad for uncovering him especially if he's preparing to molt or is in the process. However, I still have to lift the pools for changing- so not much I can do except keep exposing him every five days for thirty minutes. Any advice?

avocadocrabbies wrote:I was changing the water pools today, and when I picked up the freshwater, I noticed an air pocket underneath it. It's nighttime and the lighting isn't great so I can't tell exactly, but pretty sure there's a crab buried in that air pocket (all three went down a while ago for a molt). There's a possibility he's not molting, but I feel really bad for uncovering him especially if he's preparing to molt or is in the process. However, I still have to lift the pools for changing- so not much I can do except keep exposing him every five days for thirty minutes. Any advice?

What kind of containers/dishes are you using? If you are using plastic containers, like the reusable ziplock containers, make sure you have 2 for each pool. You place one container in the sand empty, and then place the second one in on top, and fill it with water. Now, when you go to change the water, you'll lift only the top container out. The dry second container will hold the shape in the sand and any tunnels the crabbies might be digging. Then he won't be exposed or disturbed when you need to change the water.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

These are MotörCrab's pools. Can you see on the left how there are 2 containers, one inside the other? That's what I'm talking about, how one will be a place holder while you change the water in the top pool.
Since you have a crabby underneath, just make sure not to push them down into the sand.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

Those are in our 65 gallon. Those crabs are always digging. We also have those in our baby tank and the 55. Plus, if the dishes spring a leak, the water doesn't get into the sub and cause flooding or bacterial blooms. I used a cork screw to make the holes to connect the mesh with zip ties.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Those are great ideas! My two water pools are currently not the stackable ziplock kind, but I'll get some soon. Thanks!

avocadocrabbies wrote:Those are great ideas! My two water pools are currently not the stackable ziplock kind, but I'll get some soon. Thanks!

You're welcome!

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

No one actually answered avacado's question. I don't know the answer.

Avacado asked what they can do to avoid uncovering their crab every 5 days. Using the doubled up water dishes will avoid it.

curlysister wrote:Avacado asked what they can do to avoid uncovering their crab every 5 days. Using the doubled up water dishes will avoid it.

That's what I thought the question was lol. She'll have to uncover him one more time to switch the dishes, but that should be it.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

curlysister wrote: ↑

Sun May 10, 2020 6:14 pm

Avacado asked what they can do to avoid uncovering their crab every 5 days. Using the doubled up water dishes will avoid it.

Oops. You're right. I guess I thought she meant now at that moment.