Substrate Issues + Frightened Crabbies

[LavendarCrab]

First of all, my substrate has been too dry, particularly near the heaters. The unusual thing is that I have correct sized pools and the humidity has been super high (according to my hydrometer, which I think might be messed up). I've been pouring water into the substrate and stirring it up, particularly in the back where the heaters are to keep it "sandcastle consistency" every few days, but I won't be able to do that when my crabs are down. Shouldn't the high humidity front he pools be doing more for the substrate? For some context, my substrate is a 50/50 ratio of cocofiber and sand and the heaters bring the heat up to 76-81 F, and I initially put it in very slightly damp according to what I heard in a video on YT, and it dried out quickly. I think my house heater could be messing with the damp in the crabitat as well.

And that brings me to my other question. Since I've been mixing up the substrate, my crabs have been terrified of me, whenever I come up to the glass it stresses them way more than it used to. They never used to act like that until I've been messing with the tank more recently. How do I get them to feel safe in my presence again?

[CrabbyLover77]

First of all, my substrate has been too dry, particularly near the heaters. The unusual thing is that I have correct sized pools and the humidity has been super high (according to my hydrometer, which I think might be messed up). I've been pouring water into the substrate and stirring it up, particularly in the back where the heaters are to keep it "sandcastle consistency" every few days, but I won't be able to do that when my crabs are down. Shouldn't the high humidity front he pools be doing more for the substrate? For some context, my substrate is a 50/50 ratio of cocofiber and sand and the heaters bring the heat up to 76-81 F, and I initially put it in very slightly damp according to what I heard in a video on YT, and it dried out quickly. I think my house heater could be messing with the damp in the crabitat as well.

And that brings me to my other question. Since I've been mixing up the substrate, my crabs have been terrified of me, whenever I come up to the glass it stresses them way more than it used to. They never used to act like that until I've been messing with the tank more recently. How do I get them to feel safe in my presence again?

It sounds like you may have put your substrate in too dry. For sandcastle consistency, you want it pretty wet. If you're squeezing it and it's not holding its shape, it's not wet enough. You just don't want the sub dripping water when you squeeze it. If your crabs are up, I would temporarily move them out, and re-mix your sub. Also, is your uth below the sub line? That will dry it out faster too.

Anytime I have to put my hands in the tank (or get close to the tank), I talk to my crabs. I want them to associate my presence and voice with good things, like fresh water, food, treats, toys, etc. many of my crabs will now just hunker down where they are when my hands go in the tank instead of running. Also, make sure you have a lot of hiding places. This will give your crabs a sense of safety if they know they can take cover at any moment. Once you get your sub corrected, try to avoid doing any rearranging for bit, and only do the necessary stuff to give them a break.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

[CrabbyLover77]

I forgot to ask? What type of lid do you have on your tank? If it's mesh, make sure it's completely wrapped in saran wrap to keep the sub moist.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

[LavendarCrab]

It sounds like you may have put your substrate in too dry. For sandcastle consistency, you want it pretty wet. If you're squeezing it and it's not holding its shape, it's not wet enough. You just don't want the sub dripping water when you squeeze it. If your crabs are up, I would temporarily move them out, and re-mix your sub. Also, is your uth below the sub line? That will dry it out faster too.

Anytime I have to put my hands in the tank (or get close to the tank), I talk to my crabs. I want them to associate my presence and voice with good things, like fresh water, food, treats, toys, etc. many of my crabs will now just hunker down where they are when my hands go in the tank instead of running. Also, make sure you have a lot of hiding places. This will give your crabs a sense of safety if they know they can take cover at any moment. Once you get your sub corrected, try to avoid doing any rearranging for bit, and only do the necessary stuff to give them a break.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

I stirred it up and added quite a bit more water, and it seems to be a good consistency now. It is definitely holding shape.

Unfortunately, I really don't have a bunch of hiding places. I have two ceramic coffee mugs that I turned into caves a long time ago, which they really enjoy, and lots of pear branches for climbing (which is also great for foraging; they eat the bark), but that's all. I recognize that my 20-gallon breeder is really too small for them to have a great life (and was definetely too small when I had four), but I'm not able to put together a bigger tank right now, although I'm making plans for when I have more space. I've been brainstorming ways I could make use of the walls/space above the substrate line, maybe some kind of platform for them.

Do you have any ideas for DIY hiding spots? What kinds of recycled materials can I use?

Thanks for your help!

[LavendarCrab]

I forgot to ask? What type of lid do you have on your tank? If it's mesh, make sure it's completely wrapped in saran wrap to keep the sub moist.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

I have a glass folding lid, which keeps the humidity in well. Usually, I try to leave it open a bit to ventilate it, especially when the humidity reading is too high, but like I said I'm suspicious that my humidity gauges have given out.

I've used a pack of miniature temp and humidity gauges off of Amazon. They usually start giving out when too much sand gets in them though, and all my attempts to stick them to the side of the tank have failed because of the moisture. Is there a certain brand that's worked well for you?

[CrabbyLover77]

I stirred it up and added quite a bit more water, and it seems to be a good consistency now. It is definitely holding shape.

Unfortunately, I really don't have a bunch of hiding places. I have two ceramic coffee mugs that I turned into caves a long time ago, which they really enjoy, and lots of pear branches for climbing (which is also great for foraging; they eat the bark), but that's all. I recognize that my 20-gallon breeder is really too small for them to have a great life (and was definetely too small when I had four), but I'm not able to put together a bigger tank right now, although I'm making plans for when I have more space. I've been brainstorming ways I could make use of the walls/space above the substrate line, maybe some kind of platform for them.

Do you have any ideas for DIY hiding spots? What kinds of recycled materials can I use?

Thanks for your help!

Glad you got your sand to a good consistency.

Throw away plastic tubs/containers are great hidey spots! Use a Cool Whip container, cut an opening out on the side, turn it upside down, and you have an instant cave. I also use those small containers you get microwaveable mac & cheese in, and do the same thing. Cottage cheese, yogurt, and sour cream containers would work too.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

[CrabbyLover77]

I have a glass folding lid, which keeps the humidity in well. Usually, I try to leave it open a bit to ventilate it, especially when the humidity reading is too high, but like I said I'm suspicious that my humidity gauges have given out.

I've used a pack of miniature temp and humidity gauges off of Amazon. They usually start giving out when too much sand gets in them though, and all my attempts to stick them to the side of the tank have failed because of the moisture. Is there a certain brand that's worked well for you?

A glass lid is perfect. No need to open the lid to lower the humidity. Humidity can never be too high for crabs. My humidity is usually between 90%-99% all the time in both tanks.
I have a couple of different brands of hygrometers in my tanks, but I usually use digital ones that are made for house use. They seem to hold up pretty well. I try to change the batteries out every couple of months too.
I have an idea for your gauge. Let me grab a pic in my tank quick and I'll post it for you.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

[LavendarCrab]

Glad you got your sand to a good consistency.

Throw away plastic tubs/containers are great hidey spots! Use a Cool Whip container, cut an opening out on the side, turn it upside down, and you have an instant cave. I also use those small containers you get microwaveable mac & cheese in, and do the same thing. Cottage cheese, yogurt, and sour cream containers would work too.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

Ok awesome.

Also random question, but I always give my crabs reverse osmosis water, and I don't treat it with anything because it's already filtered. With my drinking water, I usually add some trace minerals back into the water. Would this be beneficial to do with my crabs' water? I believe it has some kind of salt in the product, but I'm not sure if it would still count as fresh, or be more like saltwater.

[CrabbyLover77]

Ok, awesome.

Also random question, but I always give my crabs reverse osmosis water, and I don't treat it with anything because it's already filtered. With my drinking water, I usually add some trace minerals back into the water. Would this be beneficial to do with my crabs' water? I believe it has some kind of salt in the product, but I'm not sure if it would still count as fresh, or be more like saltwater.

If you want to save some steps, it's perfectly fine to use your tap water, as long as you treat it with with a dechlorinator. My go to dechlorinator is Prime. Just use 2-3 drops per gallon and you're good to go.

To keep your gauges out of the sand, check out my pics. The little basket is from the dollar store. The thing holding it to the glass is an algae scraper for fish tanks (it's magnetic). They have some on Amazon for under $10. Then pop the gauge inside (mine has a little kick stand in the back). My crabs also use these as a second level and sleep in their little baskets (I use egg crate on my tank walls so they can climb up to them).

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

[aussieJJDude]

When I had a UTH, I had mine positioned so it was a couple inches below the substrate line. While it did dry out the substrate in that area (around an inch radius), the crabs often buried in that area and chilled against the heat pad. As long as the majority of the substrate is sand castle consistency, I wouldn't bother too much.


(Also if you haven't already, definitely calibrate your gauges. They are known for deviating out of the actual humidity levels. https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... hp?t=92540)

Sent from my SM-S918B using Tapatalk

[LavendarCrab]

If you want to save some steps, it's perfectly fine to use your tap water, as long as you treat it with with a dechlorinator. My go to dechlorinator is Prime. Just use 2-3 drops per gallon and you're good to go.

To keep your gauges out of the sand, check out my pics. The little basket is from the dollar store. The thing holding it to the glass is an algae scraper for fish tanks (it's magnetic). They have some on Amazon for under $10. Then pop the gauge inside (mine has a little kick stand in the back). My crabs also use these as a second level and sleep in their little baskets (I use egg crate on my tank walls so they can climb up to them).

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

Thanks. I think I found a solution as to where to put my gauge- on top of the new container hide I made for them. After drying off the gauge and airing it out it seems to be working fine now.

[CrabbyLover77]

Thanks. I think I found a solution as to where to put my gauge- on top of the new container hide I made for them. After drying off the gauge and airing it out it seems to be working fine now.

Awesome!

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk