MOLD!!
Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 8:51 am
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
User avatar
HCADirectors
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: The HCA
Okay...
1. The substrate is filtered pool sand mixed with tropical soil. It is 6 inches deep.
2. Yes, I have a hygrometer/temperature gauge by Great Choice. It usually reads 80 degrees F and humidity fluctuates between 70 and 80%.
3. Yes, I have the heat source on the left side of the tank. It is Zoo Med UTH for a 40 gallon tank. My tank is around 49 to 55 gallons.
4. I have fresh water treated with AquaSafe for reptiles and amphibians. I treat the salt water with that first and then add Instant Ocean sea salt. I use as directed... 1/2 cup to a gallon of water. I keep it in a gallon jug so it is room temp (76 degrees).
5. I feed them fresh foods that I feed my family with no added salts or seasoning. I give a large variety every two days. Pineapple, blueberries, broccoli, dried shrimp, cooked hamburger meat, romaine, corn off cob cooked on grill (in foil), strawberries, peanut butter, coconut flakes, and hermit crab food that was given in a starter kit when I purchased them 2 weeks ago. PS - they don't eat it.
6. I have two crabs - one died the first week - they are PP's.
7. No.
8. They are in a glass aquarium with the aquarium lid. It's is between 49 and 55 gallons. I sealed the section where the filter used to be. It's sealed and I can open a 1/4 section on the top which is glass to feed them and check on them.
9. Two crabs - good size - 1 inch big claw - about the size of my palm when cruising around.
10. Probably a dozen.
11. No, but I have a humidifier that I rigged up to keep up the humidity. I do get condensation, but the humidity never goes over 80%.
12. I just set it up two weeks ago and have not cleaned it yet. I clean their water bowls at least every 4 days.
13. No.
14. Only non-painted shells I purchased over the internet and I soaked them in treated fresh water for a day before I put them in. Both of them moved into them the next couple of days.
15. If I'm supposed to keep their humidity at 80%, why am I getting mold on their wood decorations? Do I need to allow ventilation? When I did have the section of the tank where the filter used to be open, the humidity would stay near 70%, which I thought was minimum for them.
16. I just want to make sure these crabs are well taken care of and why the humidity is causing mold. I did not treat the sand with salt water before it was put in the tank, because it was already at sandcastle consistency. What do I do to maintain humidity and keep out mold and mites?
I have pics, but don't know how to post them here.
2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
User avatar
HCADirectors
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: The HCA
Okay...
1. The substrate is filtered pool sand mixed with tropical soil. It is 6 inches deep.
2. Yes, I have a hygrometer/temperature gauge by Great Choice. It usually reads 80 degrees F and humidity fluctuates between 70 and 80%.
3. Yes, I have the heat source on the left side of the tank. It is Zoo Med UTH for a 40 gallon tank. My tank is around 49 to 55 gallons.
4. I have fresh water treated with AquaSafe for reptiles and amphibians. I treat the salt water with that first and then add Instant Ocean sea salt. I use as directed... 1/2 cup to a gallon of water. I keep it in a gallon jug so it is room temp (76 degrees).
5. I feed them fresh foods that I feed my family with no added salts or seasoning. I give a large variety every two days. Pineapple, blueberries, broccoli, dried shrimp, cooked hamburger meat, romaine, corn off cob cooked on grill (in foil), strawberries, peanut butter, coconut flakes, and hermit crab food that was given in a starter kit when I purchased them 2 weeks ago. PS - they don't eat it.
6. I have two crabs - one died the first week - they are PP's.
7. No.
8. They are in a glass aquarium with the aquarium lid. It's is between 49 and 55 gallons. I sealed the section where the filter used to be. It's sealed and I can open a 1/4 section on the top which is glass to feed them and check on them.
9. Two crabs - good size - 1 inch big claw - about the size of my palm when cruising around.
10. Probably a dozen.
11. No, but I have a humidifier that I rigged up to keep up the humidity. I do get condensation, but the humidity never goes over 80%.
12. I just set it up two weeks ago and have not cleaned it yet. I clean their water bowls at least every 4 days.
13. No.
14. Only non-painted shells I purchased over the internet and I soaked them in treated fresh water for a day before I put them in. Both of them moved into them the next couple of days.
15. If I'm supposed to keep their humidity at 80%, why am I getting mold on their wood decorations? Do I need to allow ventilation? When I did have the section of the tank where the filter used to be open, the humidity would stay near 70%, which I thought was minimum for them.
16. I just want to make sure these crabs are well taken care of and why the humidity is causing mold. I did not treat the sand with salt water before it was put in the tank, because it was already at sandcastle consistency. What do I do to maintain humidity and keep out mold and mites?
I have pics, but don't know how to post them here.
