Making Sure Everything is A-Ok (also have a few questions)

[kadynadair16]

Hey everyone! I just want to double check that my crabitat are ok.
I have 7 hermit crabs. All purple pinchers
2 tanks. One 29 gal with 4 of the crabs in it. And a 10 gallon with 3 in it.

In the 29 gal. There is 2 smalls and 2 almost medium. I have 6 inches of coco fiber, mixed with sand. Both salt and water bowls deep enough to submerge, no sponges. I feed them mixtures from the hermit crab patch. I Change it out every other 2 days. I have 3 shells in there rn, but i just bought like 20 more so they should be coming soon. And all that is the same with the 10g.

The main concerns I have is:
1. My thermometers/hygrometers keep breaking. I can't find a good brand that keeps well and I can't find a good place to put it in the tank. I always try to keep my tanks humid. And have humidifiers and moss in them.
2. My heaters are getting old and since my thermometers broke, I'm not sure if it's warm enough.
3. I have a very low spending budget because I'm only 15 and I don't have a job. My parents also won't pay for it because they didn't want me to have crabs in the first place.
4. I'm worried about over crowding. Do I need to set up another tank? I have a 10g tank I'm not using, but if I have to fix it up, I will have to figure out where to put it and how I'll come up with the money to buy the supplies I need.

So the questions I need answered in summary:
1. Are my conditions ok?
2. What are good brands for thermometers and hygrometers? And where is a good place to put it in the tank?
3. How often should I Change the water bowls?
4. Do I need to set up another tank so they aren't over crowded?
5. If it's a yes for #4, how can I save money on supplies?
6. Is it better to use a light/lamp for a heater or the "undertank" heater?

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[kieagcarm]

Sounds like your doing great, but you should put at least one crab from the 10g into the 29g. Each crab needs at least 5g of his own space. You should change your water every three days unless you have a bubbler system in them then you can wait a few more days. You don't Need another tank, just move one crab into the bigger tank. I have 5 in a 20g for now and just had the successful molts your 10g is over crowded not the 29g. Based on the feedback I got when I asked about uth vs light, uth is better. I want light to see my crabs better and struggle with heat/humidity your doing great though and I would love to see pics

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[LadyJinglyJones]

Hmm. .. I'd say your setup sounds pretty good!

Inexpensive hygro/thermometer combos can be found at most hardware stores and should be reasonably sturdy. Once you know your temp an humidity you can evaluate whether you need a new heater. But most heaters do tend to last a long time.

The other area for improvement might be food...
I find feeding my crabs to be one of the most fun aspects of crabbing. I love making tiny meals for them with a lot of variety... all kinds of different fruits, veggies, herbs like fresh basil & cilantro, dry oak leaves & flower petals, organic peanut butter, organic raw honey, lots of grains ground up, seaweed, and of course dry mixes like you have, too!

Here is a link to the foods page so you can see what a great variety of foods crabs like:

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 25&t=92557

And this is a good read too:

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 25&t=92554

Don't worry if they don't seem to like some things you offer... they take the tinyest of bites, and what they won't eat one week, they might eat the next.

Interestingly, a study was done that suggests that land hermit crabs are biologically conditioned to crave variety. In the study, crabs that had eaten one type of food were consistently found to avoid the smell of that food in favor of something different afterwards.

[Just Jay]

Hey everyone! I just want to double check that my crabitat are ok.
I have 7 hermit crabs. All purple pinchers
2 tanks. One 29 gal with 4 of the crabs in it. And a 10 gallon with 3 in it.

In the 29 gal. There is 2 smalls and 2 almost medium. I have 6 inches of coco fiber, mixed with sand.

J-awesome but as mentioned you always will do well with sub mixed on hand it does get compacted together. having more will also help retain heat.

Both salt and water bowls deep enough to submerge, no sponges.

J- depending on how big/deep will depend on water changes. tho without a bubbler it should be done at least once a week.

I feed them mixtures from the hermit crab patch. I Change it out every other 2 days.

J- thats great but they really do need fresh and or raw foods as well. when you cook or brings things up to temp they loose some of the vital minerals and vitamins.

I have 3 shells in there rn, but i just bought like 20 more so they should be coming soon. And all that is the same with the 10g.

J- i know you have shells on the way but make sure every crab has about 3 or 4 each. you can get them cheap at craft stores like michales and johanns. michales offers coupons online you can use right away to help with cost.

The main concerns I have is:
1. My thermometers/hygrometers keep breaking. I can't find a good brand that keeps well and I can't find a good place to put it in the tank. I always try to keep my tanks humid. And have humidifiers and moss in them.

J-couldnt agree more with your local hardwear store.

2. My heaters are getting old and since my thermometers broke, I'm not sure if it's warm enough.

J-today i saw petsmart had uth on sale for $9 soemthing. also i have to use a uth and light in my 20g long to keep it at 90 degrees temp. i bought an out door chicken light that is a 100w white light bulb that was almost 10$ cheaper than the same thing but marketed for reptiles. i simply put it on a dimmer but honestly its usually turned all the way up.

3. I have a very low spending budget because I'm only 15 and I don't have a job. My parents also won't pay for it because they didn't want me to have crabs in the first place.

J- craft stores are great for shell bags. michales also does online coupons you can use right away. i also like to check the dollar store for extras and have found sooooo many good things.

4. I'm worried about over crowding. Do I need to set up another tank? I have a 10g tank I'm not using, but if I have to fix it up, I will have to figure out where to put it and how I'll come up with the money to buy the supplies I need.

J- what are the sizes of the three in your 10g? for now you should be fine but keep in mind they are always growing and in time you will need more space. i have read a few different things on space per crab the minimum i find is that you need at least 1g per 1 inch of crab. now keep in mind this is only open walking space so you have to take into account the room your bowls and toys take up.

So the questions I need answered in summary:
1. Are my conditions ok?
J- i personal think so but also feel like they are a constant work in progress and always need updating. my own tank i feel is forever lacking and growing with my hermits needs and wants.

2. What are good brands for thermometers and hygrometers? And where is a good place to put it in the tank?
J- couldnt agree more with checking out your local hardwear store.

3. How often should I Change the water bowls?

J- answered above

4. Do I need to set up another tank so they aren't over crowded?

J-really need to know the sizes of the 3 in the 10g

5. If it's a yes for #4, how can I save money on supplies?

J- also most walmarts offer a layaway and some will carry tanks, play sand, ee and more. it depends on store to store. you will need an adult to sign off on that. other wise just get creative. ask if any neighbors need their weeds pulled, grass cut, leaves raked, maybe you have a relative that needs some cleaning done or even will help you out in exchange for something. (my grandmother used to give me 10$ to read to her or right mail to her friends) just let them all know you are working towards something and are looking for some part time work. making a flyer could even help. (this is how i saved up for my first pet and its supplies when i was a kid once my parents saw how set on it i was they surprised me by buying some of the things i wanted) worst comes to worst make a go fund me haha.

6. Is it better to use a light/lamp for a heater or the "undertank" heater?
J- answered above

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

hope this helps! great work so far and just keep in mind your doing everything you can within your means and in the wild they often have to live threw worse. i put my answers and opinions under your questions with a J-

[kadynadair16]

Hey everyone! I just want to double check that my crabitat are ok.
I have 7 hermit crabs. All purple pinchers
2 tanks. One 29 gal with 4 of the crabs in it. And a 10 gallon with 3 in it.

In the 29 gal. There is 2 smalls and 2 almost medium. I have 6 inches of coco fiber, mixed with sand.

J-awesome but as mentioned you always will do well with sub mixed on hand it does get compacted together. having more will also help retain heat.

Both salt and water bowls deep enough to submerge, no sponges.

J- depending on how big/deep will depend on water changes. tho without a bubbler it should be done at least once a week.

I feed them mixtures from the hermit crab patch. I Change it out every other 2 days.

J- thats great but they really do need fresh and or raw foods as well. when you cook or brings things up to temp they loose some of the vital minerals and vitamins.

I have 3 shells in there rn, but i just bought like 20 more so they should be coming soon. And all that is the same with the 10g.

J- i know you have shells on the way but make sure every crab has about 3 or 4 each. you can get them cheap at craft stores like michales and johanns. michales offers coupons online you can use right away to help with cost.

The main concerns I have is:
1. My thermometers/hygrometers keep breaking. I can't find a good brand that keeps well and I can't find a good place to put it in the tank. I always try to keep my tanks humid. And have humidifiers and moss in them.

J-couldnt agree more with your local hardwear store.

2. My heaters are getting old and since my thermometers broke, I'm not sure if it's warm enough.

J-today i saw petsmart had uth on sale for $9 soemthing. also i have to use a uth and light in my 20g long to keep it at 90 degrees temp. i bought an out door chicken light that is a 100w white light bulb that was almost 10$ cheaper than the same thing but marketed for reptiles. i simply put it on a dimmer but honestly its usually turned all the way up.

3. I have a very low spending budget because I'm only 15 and I don't have a job. My parents also won't pay for it because they didn't want me to have crabs in the first place.

J- craft stores are great for shell bags. michales also does online coupons you can use right away. i also like to check the dollar store for extras and have found sooooo many good things.

4. I'm worried about over crowding. Do I need to set up another tank? I have a 10g tank I'm not using, but if I have to fix it up, I will have to figure out where to put it and how I'll come up with the money to buy the supplies I need.

J- what are the sizes of the three in your 10g? for now you should be fine but keep in mind they are always growing and in time you will need more space. i have read a few different things on space per crab the minimum i find is that you need at least 1g per 1 inch of crab. now keep in mind this is only open walking space so you have to take into account the room your bowls and toys take up.

So the questions I need answered in summary:
1. Are my conditions ok?
J- i personal think so but also feel like they are a constant work in progress and always need updating. my own tank i feel is forever lacking and growing with my hermits needs and wants.

2. What are good brands for thermometers and hygrometers? And where is a good place to put it in the tank?
J- couldnt agree more with checking out your local hardwear store.

3. How often should I Change the water bowls?

J- answered above

4. Do I need to set up another tank so they aren't over crowded?

J-really need to know the sizes of the 3 in the 10g

5. If it's a yes for #4, how can I save money on supplies?

J- also most walmarts offer a layaway and some will carry tanks, play sand, ee and more. it depends on store to store. you will need an adult to sign off on that. other wise just get creative. ask if any neighbors need their weeds pulled, grass cut, leaves raked, maybe you have a relative that needs some cleaning done or even will help you out in exchange for something. (my grandmother used to give me 10$ to read to her or right mail to her friends) just let them all know you are working towards something and are looking for some part time work. making a flyer could even help. (this is how i saved up for my first pet and its supplies when i was a kid once my parents saw how set on it i was they surprised me by buying some of the things i wanted) worst comes to worst make a go fund me haha.

6. Is it better to use a light/lamp for a heater or the "undertank" heater?
J- answered above

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

hope this helps! great work so far and just keep in mind your doing everything you can within your means and in the wild they often have to live threw worse. i put my answers and opinions under your questions with a J-

Hey thanks so much. In the 10g, 2 of the crabs are smalls and 1 is almost a medium.

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[Just Jay]

Of course! Im sure other members will have great tips as well! I think until both are mediums ..smallish mediums you should be ok. But this all depends on how big your pools are and how much floor space you have. My four are getting larger so i make sure im offering as much climbing space as i can and utilizing space smart.

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