How should our crabitat smell?

[noddiemarie]

Hello! My family and I got some hermit crabs recently. We have 2 in a 10 gallon tank until we can get a bigger one ( we want more of these little guys!). It’s been over a month with some trial and error and getting things set up in a fun way for the crabs (Sheldon and Bizzie). I think I got it to their liking and they are very active. I’m just not sure how a healthy crabitat should smell. I used a mix of play sand and eco earth for the substrate. I also have a plastic soap dish with sphagnum moss. I purchased some “natural” jute to try to make some ladders or nets. I used it to attach a bridge to the soap dish and it had such a strong odor I felt like it had to be toxic so I got rid of it and ordered some coconut fiber. After the first month, I changed out the substrate so it’s fresh right now. To me it still has a strong odor…very musty earthy dirt smelling. I thought the moss might be letting off a smell since it gets damp or maybe I used too much eco earth. I did a 5:1 ratio and it seems to be the right consistency. I also have a piece of natural cork in the tank. Temperature and humidity are good. I don’t spray everyday but check the humidity several times and it’s usually good. Any info is appreciated! I worry and I want our new family members to be healthy and happy!!! Thank you


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[Jlmills525]

I'm new as well.. but mine smells very earthy.. i figured it was normal since its a mix of eco earth and sand. I just keep sniffing to make sure i don't smell dead fish!!

[noddiemarie]

Ok. Thank u! Just making sure!!


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[JoeHermits]

Yeah, a damp earthy smell is normal for a humid environment full of organics.


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[Newhermitcrabber]

Mine smells like dirt/ earth. The ecoearth has that smell. I find it hard to believe people think hermits are stinky...well those people probably don't take great care of their hermits.

[JTKermie]

If it does have a bad smell, that tells you something has gone wrong.

Such as the other day when I left some egg in their food dish a day too long. Oh man that was bad.