HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Ok, recently I've been having really bad humidity problems(99%) and it barely hit me. I've got three things making my humidity skyrocket, one being the EE, the other the moss pit, and finally my recent pool. Now, I prefer EE to other substrates and I really can't change out substrates as Dave and Jerry are underground, destressing.(plus I figure it won't make much of a difference what kind of substrate it is seeing as it's going to be moist either way).

Now what exactly should I get rid of, the moss pit or the saltwater pool?

By the by, I did calibrate the hydrometer. It's two percent too low.
(Off topic, but my sis scares me sometimes. She just told some woman trying to cheat us out of money off.)

If you have another container you can use for salt water that still facilitates shell water exchange I'd replace the pool with that, simply because my own hermies looooove their moss pit.
Another thing to consider is taking out the moss and letting it dry out, then putting it back wherever it was and only mist it slightly, to keep it from being so soaking as I expect it is now.

NotaMallard wrote: Another thing to consider is taking out the moss and letting it dry out, then putting it back wherever it was and only mist it slightly, to keep it from being so soaking as I expect it is now.

It's not soaking.

But that is a good point, come to think of it the only crab who really enjoys the pool(at least from what I've seen) is my straw.

Mr. Blue Viperfish wrote:Ok, recently I've been having really bad humidity problems(99%) and it barely hit me. I've got three things making my humidity skyrocket, one being the EE, the other the moss pit, and finally my recent pool. Now, I prefer EE to other substrates and I really can't change out substrates as Dave and Jerry are underground, destressing.(plus I figure it won't make much of a difference what kind of substrate it is seeing as it's going to be moist either way).

Can you alter your venting on the tank to allow a little more humidity to escape?

I used to have a saltwater pool, and I realized VERY soon that is was not worth it. For one thing, the crabs don't tend to get in it as much as in freshwater, and my filter caused it to splash on the glass, which left these terrible salty deposits that were impossible to clean off. I'd keep the moss pit - mine LOVE the one I have (one is actually molting in it right now). Just get a small bowl or something for the saltwater - serves its purpose without being a hassle.

Ah, but Saltwater IS a necessity. If you have a straw, keep the pool, take out the moss.

I agree with limeslide~ my crabbies have a salt pool and swim often..I also have a fresh pool that they just drink from

limeslide wrote:Ah, but Saltwater IS a necessity. If you have a straw, keep the pool, take out the moss.

annnnddddd that is my predicament. I'm thinking of getting a somewhat smaller pool and taking out the pit. How small would be too small for a medium straw?

(I do understand saltwater is important, but I meant making switching to a salt water bowl as opposed to an actual pool)

as long it can completely submerge itself in salt water.

I'll just turn the old moss pit into a larger shell shop, and use the old shells shop to hold the freshwater bowl and maybe a hidey. I'll get something around half the size of my old bowl, everything will hopefully get better.

look at him and make sure what ever you use he can fit in and go under the water..go with a small tupperware

If you could I would keep both and get a mesh top. My crabbies love the saltwater pool (especially at night...I can hear them splashing around in there) and they love the moss pit to sleep in during the day. If you could get a way to vent your tank then you could have the best of both worlds!

I don't have a lid so my humidity stays constant

megamelfina wrote:If you could I would keep both and get a mesh top. My crabbies love the saltwater pool (especially at night...I can hear them splashing around in there) and they love the moss pit to sleep in during the day. If you could get a way to vent your tank then you could have the best of both worlds!

I do have a mesh top. I ended up taking out the saltwater pool(and replaced it with a much smaller pool) and keeping the moss pit. I'm replacing the hydrometer when ASAP, as it is getting a bit old. If the humidity improves enough, I'll get a new pool.

Can your straw still completely submerge? Moss does make alot more humidity that Salt Water.