Lburns wrote:1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
3.5-4 inches deep. Half Eco Earth and half "Hermit Habitat Procalcium Hermit Terrarium Sand"
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?
Yes. Located toward center of tank. I struggle with Humidity. Ranges from 64-80. Temperature is consistent between 73-75.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes. I currently have an exo terra hood light that holds 1 bulb. I have the max wattage in it. A 25 watt exo terra night-glo moonlight lamp that I keep on all the time. And, I have a Zoo Med 4 watt crab heater attached to the back top portion of my tank.
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)?
I have a dish of saltwater and a dish of freshwater in tank at all times. I use the premixed bottles of hermit crab water that they sell at Petco.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I empty dish every morning and feed fresh food every evening. I feed a variety of fresh fruits and veggies. Oatmeal, popcorn (no salt). Wardley hermit crab premium food 100% dried whole shrimp. Give chicken, ground beef, bacon with no spices occasionally if I'm cooking something for dinner. Occasionally give all living things hermit crab calcium supplement and the hermit crab patch natural mineral supplement.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Don't know species. Had 3 crabs since September of 2014. 1 has passed ("Robin" RIP).
7. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
10 gallon zilla glass critter cage with wire mesh top. I had a piece of glass cut at Lowes that I keep over the wire mesh. The glass covers all but about an inch of the wire mesh on all sides.
8. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 crabs. 1 buried. 1 out and about. Don't know how to measure. I would guess they are both medium size.
9. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
7 natural shells of slightly varying sizes.
10. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No.
11. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Have spot cleaned top layer of substrate but that's all so far.
12. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
Sometimes if humidity is low. I clean them every few days with really hot water and let them air dry completely before I reuse them. I have about 5 that I keep in rotation.
13. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
No.
14. 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.)?
Handle the crab(s) every few days for 5 minutes or less each time. Batman was found as a stray. He was roaming around in the grass outside my son's daycare. He was missing a leg when I found him. He has had one successful molt and regenerated his leg. Robin and Killer Croc were purchased as friends for Batman from a pet store. Killer Croc is down for his first molt. Robin was (I thought) molting for the first time since I had him before I found him dead.
15. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
1 of my crabs has died. Based on recent feedback about my crab care, I know I need to have more substrate and keep it more moist. I also know I need to increase my temp by about 10 degrees. And, work harder to keep my humidity up. Killer Croc is currently buried. I, obviously, don't want to change my substrate until he is out. But, I'm really worried that perhaps he has passed as well. He went down for his first molt the week of Dec. 1st. On Dec. 24th I saw him. He was still buried but moving around near the side of the tank. I could see him thru the glass enough to know it was him. He was only visible for about an hour and I have not seen him or any signs of him since. Based on pictures I uploaded, and my humidity levels, I've been told my substrate is too dry. I'm worried that perhaps Killer Crocs molting tunnel caved in on him
I want to fix the issues with my substrate and everything else asap before anything happens to Batman. Of course, I want Killer Croc to be ok too. But, I'm so worried since he and Robin both came from the same pet store and Robin died during his molt. I do not smell any bad smells in the tank. I could not smell anything from when Robin died except if I put my nose practically right on him. I am 100% sure Robin was dead though and not still in the process of molting. Should I dig a little around the same place I saw Killer Croc on Dec. 24th to see if he's ok? Or, is it too soon?
Thanks in advance for your help/advice.
Ok, I'm going to give this a go. Experts please chime in.
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
3.5-4 inches deep. Half Eco Earth and half "Hermit Habitat Procalcium Hermit Terrarium Sand"
Get this out as soon as you can. Go to straight Silica sand. Play sand or quickcrete from Home Depot / Lowes. Best price and best sand. THCP has the good stuff but pricy. Mix one 50Lb bag of play sand with 1 block of pre-moistened EE (EE mixed with 1 gallon approx of dechlorinated water with 1/4-1/2 cup Instant Ocean mixed in), mix well. For humidity, I boil my water and mix hot. I use thick cleaning glove - new pair to protect my hands from heat. This allows me to put in the tank warm and I don't struggle to get temp and humidity up initially. I use a turkey thermometer to check it and mix until it's a constant 85 degrees and then put it in the tank. I mix my sub in a large tote.
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?
Yes. Located toward center of tank. I struggle with Humidity. Ranges from 64-80. Temperature is consistent between 73-75.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
Yes. I currently have an exo terra hood light that holds 1 bulb. I have the max wattage in it. A 25 watt exo terra night-glo moonlight lamp that I keep on all the time. And, I have a Zoo Med 4 watt crab heater attached to the back top portion of my tank.
If you are struggling, and you have safety concerns with the kids, this is a favorite of a lot of crabbers. Initially, it may seem like an investment but the work extremely well and are really safe. Won't burn the kids.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm ... -uth-6-x11
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)?
I have a dish of saltwater and a dish of freshwater in tank at all times. I use the premixed bottles of hermit crab water that they sell at Petco.
The hermit crab glub from Petco isn't preferred. You can get a Instant Ocean 10gal box of marine salt (contains over 70 minerals needed for Hermit health) for about $9. It is 1/2 cup per gallon dechlorinated water. You can get API declorinator for about $6. Both fresh water and salt need to be dechlorinated - needs to be a water conditioner for dechlorination, removes ammonia and heavy metals.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I empty dish every morning and feed fresh food every evening. I feed a variety of fresh fruits and veggies. Oatmeal, popcorn (no salt).
Wardley hermit crab premium food 100% dried whole shrimp. Give chicken, ground beef, bacon with no spices occasionally if I'm cooking something for dinner. Occasionally give all living things hermit crab calcium supplement and the hermit crab patch natural mineral supplement.
Double check all manufactured foods to make sure they don't contain these three ingredients.
⁃ EQ or Ethoxyquin an antioxidant
⁃ Copper Sulfate
⁃ BHT, also known as butylhydroxytoluene
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
Don't know species. Had 3 crabs since September of 2014. 1 has passed ("Robin" RIP).
7. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
10 gallon zilla glass critter cage with wire mesh top. I had a piece of glass cut at Lowes that I keep over the wire mesh. The glass covers all but about an inch of the wire mesh on all sides.
8. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 crabs. 1 buried. 1 out and about. Don't know how to measure. I would guess they are both medium size.
9. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
7 natural shells of slightly varying sizes.
10. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No.
11. How often do you clean the tank and how?
Have spot cleaned top layer of substrate but that's all so far.
12. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
Sometimes if humidity is low. I clean them every few days with really hot water and let them air dry completely before I reuse them. I have about 5 that I keep in rotation.
13. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
No.
14. 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.)?
Handle the crab(s) every few days for 5 minutes or less each time. Batman was found as a stray. He was roaming around in the grass outside my son's daycare. He was missing a leg when I found him. He has had one successful molt and regenerated his leg. Robin and Killer Croc were purchased as friends for Batman from a pet store. Killer Croc is down for his first molt. Robin was (I thought) molting for the first time since I had him before I found him dead.
15. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
1 of my crabs has died. Based on recent feedback about my crab care, I know I need to have more substrate and keep it more moist. I also know I need to increase my temp by about 10 degrees. And, work harder to keep my humidity up. Killer Croc is currently buried. I, obviously, don't want to change my substrate until he is out. But, I'm really worried that perhaps he has passed as well. He went down for his first molt the week of Dec. 1st. On Dec. 24th I saw him. He was still buried but moving around near the side of the tank. I could see him thru the glass enough to know it was him. He was only visible for about an hour and I have not seen him or any signs of him since. Based on pictures I uploaded, and my humidity levels, I've been told my substrate is too dry. I'm worried that perhaps Killer Crocs molting tunnel caved in on him
I want to fix the issues with my substrate and everything else asap before anything happens to Batman. Of course, I want Killer Croc to be ok too. But, I'm so worried since he and Robin both came from the same pet store and Robin died during his molt. I do not smell any bad smells in the tank. I could not smell anything from when Robin died except if I put my nose practically right on him. I am 100% sure Robin was dead though and not still in the process of molting. Should I dig a little around the same place I saw Killer Croc on Dec. 24th to see if he's ok? Or, is it too soon?
Thanks in advance for your help/advice.
"Do or Do Not. There is no try"
50 PPs, 1 E
The strong smelling offering has been a post-molt favorite in my tanks.