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How to add more Substrate?

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 11:45 am
by Ankutchey
I just got 5 little guys in my 40 gal. My husband has gotten really excited and would like a few more. (The ones we have now are all in the small-medium range). I only have 6 inches of substrate now, and would really like to get some more depth before we get any more little ones. Is there a way for me to add without hurting anyone who has decided to dig down already?

Re: How to add more Substrate?

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 12:09 pm
by SoloCrab
Ankutchey wrote:I just got 5 little guys in my 40 gal. My husband has gotten really excited and would like a few more. (The ones we have now are all in the small-medium range). I only have 6 inches of substrate now, and would really like to get some more depth before we get any more little ones. Is there a way for me to add without hurting anyone who has decided to dig down already?
Well, it's depending on your hermit crab size get your fingers measure your hermit crabs and then measure on your substrate and count until you have no more substrate and how much you counted you get that much of hermit crabs and dirt or whatever your substrate is.

Re: How to add more Substrate?

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 12:48 pm
by LadyJinglyJones
Hiya!

Sub can be added about an inch a day without fear of collapsing tunnels. Just don't pat it down. If you have buried pools, or other partially covered decor, be very cautious in lifting it out; moulting crabs will often build chambers under pools or against root-like things, so depending on how something is buried you may need to gently excavate around it. Anything resting on the sub can simply be lifted.

When getting more crabs it's a good idea to consider whether/how soon you want to upgrade the size of your tank again in the future - crabs don't stay small forever (though it's thought they grow less rapidly in captivity). :wink:
The more crabs you potentially have moulting at any given time, the more challenging things like churning sub, or moving the tank if you have to, will be in the future.

Re: How to add more Substrate?

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 3:58 pm
by Ankutchey
LadyJinglyJones wrote:Hiya!

Sub can be added about an inch a day without fear of collapsing tunnels. Just don't pat it down. If you have buried pools, or other partially covered decor, be very cautious in lifting it out; moulting crabs will often build chambers under pools or against root-like things, so depending on how something is buried you may need to gently excavate around it. Anything resting on the sub can simply be lifted.

When getting more crabs it's a good idea to consider whether/how soon you want to upgrade the size of your tank again in the future - crabs don't stay small forever (though it's thought they grow less rapidly in captivity). :wink:
The more crabs you potentially have moulting at any given time, the more challenging things like churning sub, or moving the tank if you have to, will be in the future.
Thank you! We do have one move in our distant future (probably 2-3 years from now) out of our apartmentf onto a house, but other than that should not have to move. And we have Lready talked about getting a 75 and using our tank as a topper. Image I thought this would be slow rolling for me since my hubby has never acted like a fan, but he has jumped right in there with me and loves It!

Thank you so much:D

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