HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hey y'all! So I thought I understood this, but I recently saw a Facebook post debate about this so I'm a little confused.
I make my salt and fresh water a gallon at a time. My fresh is treated with prime, my salt is treated with prime and instant ocean.
It probably takes me a month to go thru the full gallon, as I do water changes once a week. My pools have bubblers in them. I usually have to add fresh water to both pools once during the week due to the water evaporating.
I saw that someone said the gallon of salt water gets saltier over time as it sits...?

Should I do water changes more often?
Are the gallons of water still good, or am I making too much at a time?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

I also make a gal at a time. I even checked for ammonia build up. There was non. As for the salt build up...I've noticed that no matter how much I shake up the container, salt stays at the bottom. I've been using the same container for months. I keep forgetting to get a new gallon of water to use. But I will get it today.

You always have such great questions, Ciara! I normally think of something and you have asked so I already have an answer. I always worried about storing my salt water too, it takes me awhile to use a whole gallon.


♡ Rod ♡ Salty ♡ Bob ♡ Squirt ♡ Crabina ♡
»-♡-> Our Purple Pinchers »-♡->

Why is it getting saltier? Evaporation?

That’s why I keep a tight lid on my water. Of course, I also change the water pools every few days, so I go through a gallon fairly quickly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With a lid on it, no it will not get saltier - a little shake before offering would be a good idea, just in case anything settled while being stored.

I personally think what you're doing is fine.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Hermiesguardian wrote:I also make a gal at a time. I even checked for ammonia build up. There was non. As for the salt build up...I've noticed that no matter how much I shake up the container, salt stays at the bottom. I've been using the same container for months. I keep forgetting to get a new gallon of water to use. But I will get it today.

Update: I forgot to get another jug of water while at the store.

Love this question because I also wonder! I’ve even checked both jugs of water for ammonia as well and both have always tested fine even after a few weeks.

Awesome! I thought I had read about this and it was okay, but of course I got all worked up and worried and wanted to be sure!

RiNiKy506 wrote:You always have such great questions, Ciara! I normally think of something and you have asked so I already have an answer. I always worried about storing my salt water too, it takes me awhile to use a whole gallon.


♡ Rod ♡ Salty ♡ Bob ♡ Squirt ♡ Crabina ♡
»-♡-> Our Purple Pinchers »-♡->

Thank you @RiNiKy506
I read old threads and I love how detailed they are with info so I try to add what I can so that anyone else reading later on can learn too!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Bacterial growth will happen anytime non-chlorinated water is sitting at room temperature. Once had an environmental studies prof go loopy about the idea of keeping Brita pitchers on the countertop because omg will it grow all kinds of nasty gut-wrenching bacteria - and he did the studies to prove it. (Although well water is generally much much scarier in terms of contamination. Yes, he gave me a phobia. )

So far the crabs seem to be immune to any kind of bacteria that does grow, so maybe it is an unnecessary worry. I have always prefered to mix fresh for them just in case since we don't know much about their health.

I generally make 4-5 gallons of each type of water every month. I go through close to a gallon of salt and over a gallon of fresh every week. Between the pools and using the fresh mix for rinsing and cleaning water and food bowls I go through a good bit. I store it in a dark closet with the lid on until I'm ready to use it. So far I havent noticed any green or any type of funk.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

I use a lot more fresh water bc I re-rinse their dishes and pools after I rinse them clean in the sink and change the fresh water daily. I was more worried about the salt water bc their pool is pretty small and I only change it when it gets dirty, which can be 2-4 days depending on salt water pool parties. They use their fresh water pool more often, plus I think that’s what they drink, so I like to keep that one as clean as I can.


♡ Rod ♡ Salty ♡ Bob ♡ Squirt ♡ Crabina ♡
»-♡-> Our Purple Pinchers »-♡->

I premake my gallons, but between all of my critters, crabitats, and now my zoeae, I'm going through a lot. It doesn't sit for long. I personally would never be concerned about it as long as it isn't sitting in the sun.