Soon to be owner, with some questions.

[ViiT]

I'm going to be getting 3 PPs in about a week for my birthday. I've been researching hermit crabs and how to take care of them for around a month now. Around a week ago, I purchased a tank and various supplies. They've been set up and the temperature/humidity are a stable 80/80. I've compiled a list of the supplies that I've already acquired:

-10 Gallon Tank (Main, will eventually be upgrading if all goes well)
-5 Gallon Tank (ISO)
-EcoEarth (Plently left for replacement)
-Digital Thermometer/Hygrometer
-Water/Food Dishes
-Prime water conditioner
-Instant Ocean salt
-API Slimecoat (Bathing)
-Climbing equipment
-Hiding equipment
-Misting Bottle
-Ultratherm UTH (For main tank)
-All Living Things UTH (For ISO)
-Food (Shrimp, Cuttlebone, Honey, various fruits/vegetables)
-Sea Sponges
-Extra Shells
-Isopods

Is there anything else that I'll need?

Also, if you're wondering, I've already decided on names.
-Heisenberg (Created Quantum Uncertainty Principle. The crab can be considered both inside its shell and outside its shell until observed.)
-Schrodinger (Explained Quantum Uncertainty Principle, same as above.)
-Tarquin F'tang F'tang Olé Biscuitbarrel (Tarquin for short, reference to a Monty Python skit.)

Anyway, comment with anything else I need, advice, or just anything in general

[shanedaman112]

Actually, There is one thing I learned after awhile. You're gonna want some play sand mixed in with your EcoEarth. I did 3 parts sand 1 part EE. but a lot of people do 1:1, which is good too. the reason I say this is because when crabs molt if they go down in only EE their tunnel can collapse, which can be fatal D: also if you are wondering you can get play sand from lowes, 50 lbs for about 5 bucks. or if you live near the beach you can take some from the beach and bake it for a few minutes to kill any bacteria or critters in there. best of luck!

oh and I love the names!

[ViiT]

Thanks for the advice I live near a Lowes, I'll pick up some playsand soon.

[shanedaman112]

yay :D oh and also make sure the sub is a good 6 inches deeps

[Darcy]

Get some inexpensive artificial plants that you can attach to the walls. My crabs love climbing in them!

[shanedaman112]

I agree but they are a bit pricy sometimes, you could get some fake trees. My crab loves fake trees :D

[moonbeam]

Wow kudos for doing your research and set up ahead of time! Welcome to HCA love your name choices! Only thing, how do you plan to clean the sponges? They harbor all kinds of bacteria if not cleaned properly. You could always toss em and go for a moss pit. Crabs LOVE moss pits and they're a great way to help keep your humidity up. Very excited for you and hope you plan to post lots of pictures! Oh and happy early birthday


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[ViiT]

Substrate is 6 inches all across.

For climbing, I currently have ropes and a coconut fiber sheet hung on the back wall, but I plan to buy some artificial plants.

My humidity stays around 80% even without the sponges, so I plan to have them more for playing with during baths and such. They'll be dried and microwaved after each use to kill bacteria

Don't worry, I plan to post plenty of pictures

And thanks for the welcomes and birthday wishes!

[moonbeam]

Gosh... If only I'd been so prepared! It sounds like your crabs will be in great hands!


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[shanedaman112]

Yeah, my first setup was a disaster lol

[hermieluv1]

Make a false bottom or you will have flooding issues! There is a good post with pictures on here.

[shanedaman112]

Well I don't think you have to have a false bottom, I don't and my crabs had their 2 first and successful molts. but false bottoms are nice

[Ryry]

False bottoms (in my opinion) are to help hold water in case of a pool flood or something of the sort. If you just have little dishes of water then the substrate will probably absorb the water before it gets down to the false bottom. Congrats on your new crabs and wanting to be prepared, and happy birthday!!

[shanedaman112]

oh yea happy (early) birthday

[ViiT]

Thanks again for the birthday wishes

I thought about a false bottom, but I have heavy dishes that would be very hard to tip over, so I doubt that I'll need it.