Water dishes

This is where you discuss the conditions of your crabitat -- temperature, humidity, substrate, decorating, etc.

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kaykmerr
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Water dishes

Post by kaykmerr » Fri Aug 24, 2018 5:41 pm

Our family is new to hermit crab care- we have one medium and one small PP in a 10 gallon tank. After hours of research I thought we had everything just right but now I’m concerned we don’t have proper water dishes. Should I be doing deeper “pools” of each fresh and salt water dug into the substrate? Not sure how to attach pictures but right now the fresh water is in a kidney shaped dish about 1/2 inch deep and the saltwater is maybe 1-1.5 inches deep (round)


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kaykmerr
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Re: Water dishes

Post by kaykmerr » Fri Aug 24, 2018 6:13 pm

ImageImage

Here are a couple pictures of our crabitat - concerned about the water dishes being too shallow Image


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CrabHappens
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Re: Water dishes

Post by CrabHappens » Fri Aug 24, 2018 7:22 pm

I would say the saltwater one is too shallow, it is best if they can completely submerged to balance the salinity level in their shells. Great for a food dish though :) also, are you using instant ocean? The hermit crab "saltwater conditioner" is really not a good salt source, unfortunately.


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kaykmerr
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Re: Water dishes

Post by kaykmerr » Fri Aug 24, 2018 7:31 pm

Right now we are using bottles of saltwater from Petco. We also had bottles of dechlorinated water but bought the ZooMed conditioner today... I’ve heard mixed reviews about all things ZooMed so I’m slightly concerned about that as well. Somehow my 7 year old has sent me down a black hole of hermit crab care and I can’t get out! I’m now incredibly invested in their survival ImageImage


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soilentgringa
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Re: Water dishes

Post by soilentgringa » Fri Aug 24, 2018 8:14 pm

This saltwater mix is not great.

I'd suggest getting a small bottle of Seachem Prime and a box of Instant Ocean marine salt mix.

The products recommended by petstores are typically inadequate and expensive.

They need to be able to fully submerge, with a way to climb out.

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fandt94
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Re: Water dishes

Post by fandt94 » Fri Aug 24, 2018 10:29 pm

kaykmerr wrote:Right now we are using bottles of saltwater from Petco. We also had bottles of dechlorinated water but bought the ZooMed conditioner today... I’ve heard mixed reviews about all things ZooMed so I’m slightly concerned about that as well. Somehow my 7 year old has sent me down a black hole of hermit crab care and I can’t get out! I’m now incredibly invested in their survival ImageImage


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Lol! I went down that very same hole in late July! :hlol: I am completely addicted to these strange creatures haha. This site is a wealth of great information...definitely get some Instant Ocean...you can get in most pet stores but I found it to be cheaper on Amazon and Chewy. I also use Seachem Prime for the dechlorinator...I think I got that from Chewy also. I already get my dog & cat food there so I just added it to my regular shipment. There are definitely a lot of better products than the ZooMed from what I have found. Welcome to the forum!
Mom to 3 human boys, 2 dogs - Hemi & Athena, 2 cats - Fat a$$ (realname Spark Plug) & Batman & 5 PP’s - Monstro, Pinkie aka Little Bit, Shellie, other 2 unnamed

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ciaraalston
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Re: Water dishes

Post by ciaraalston » Fri Aug 24, 2018 11:14 pm

try plastic tupperware bowls. they're cheap and make great pools! Just make sure to have a way for the crabs to climb in and out. Like craft mesh, cholla wood, etc.
4 purple pinchers & 2 ecuadorians living a life of luxury in south west Louisiana.
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LeeHasCrabs
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Re: Water dishes

Post by LeeHasCrabs » Sat Aug 25, 2018 1:00 am

kaykmerr wrote:Right now we are using bottles of saltwater from Petco. We also had bottles of dechlorinated water but bought the ZooMed conditioner today... I’ve heard mixed reviews about all things ZooMed so I’m slightly concerned about that as well. Somehow my 7 year old has sent me down a black hole of hermit crab care and I can’t get out! I’m now incredibly invested in their survival ImageImage


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In the same boat as you. Went down the black hole early July and now I’m totally invested.

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LeeHasCrabs
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Re: Water dishes

Post by LeeHasCrabs » Sat Aug 25, 2018 6:56 pm

Also, because I'm a new crab father, does MSW (in reference to water) mean "mineral salt water" or something else?

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wodesorel
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Re: Water dishes

Post by wodesorel » Sat Aug 25, 2018 7:00 pm

ApePlanet wrote:Also, because I'm a new crab father, does MSW (in reference to water) mean "mineral salt water" or something else?
Marine salt water, made for saltwater fish aqauriums.

As opposed to freshwater salt or hermit crab salt, both of which are inadequate.
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GotButterflies
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Re: Water dishes

Post by GotButterflies » Sat Aug 25, 2018 7:11 pm

Here is a link on water bowls :) One of our moderators made it. :)
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=113691&hilit=double+dish+yo
Truly blessed to have incredible creatures, wonderful friends and my amazing family in my life!! I'm very thankful & grateful for all of them! www.thehealthyhermit.com

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LeeHasCrabs
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Re: Water dishes

Post by LeeHasCrabs » Sat Aug 25, 2018 7:16 pm

You all are the best! Thanks for all of the ongoing advice and reference links!


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kaykmerr
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Re: Water dishes

Post by kaykmerr » Sat Aug 25, 2018 10:51 pm

GotButterflies wrote:Here is a link on water bowls :) One of our moderators made it. :)
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=113691&hilit=double+dish+yo
I’m learning new things I can do in this tank every time I get on here Image will the air pump help with humidity? our first two days humidity was perfect but the last few days the whole tank has been fogging up and getting to that 80% humidity level has been a struggle ImageImage


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GotButterflies
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Re: Water dishes

Post by GotButterflies » Sun Aug 26, 2018 8:44 am

Yes! The air pump will help with humidity. The fogging has to do with the temperature difference from inside the tank and the room that it is in :)


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Truly blessed to have incredible creatures, wonderful friends and my amazing family in my life!! I'm very thankful & grateful for all of them! www.thehealthyhermit.com

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LeeHasCrabs
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Re: Water dishes

Post by LeeHasCrabs » Sun Aug 26, 2018 8:46 am

I just got a air pump for mine and it has helped with the humidity. Going to add a second air stone for the freshwater as well.

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