Crab terrarium has white crystals in the substrate & bugs?

[al3sha]

So, i'm new to this forum but I need help asap.

I started with a 10 gallon tank and 2 hermit crabs and I had no problems with it. I decided about 8 months ago to use my 60 gallon tank to hold 5 hermit crabs and thats where the problems started. A couple months ago I noticed my dirt had white crystals in it, I assumed it was sand crystals from the sand I previously had in the tank, which I mixed with the dirt, but I noticed little white bugs on my crabs (which indicated bacteria) so I immediately replaced all substrate in the tank. AGAIN, I noticed today that there were white crystals (there should be no white sand) so im assuming it must be from these bugs/mites. I change the food everyday and replace the water. I know they need a salt bath clean and the tank needs to be cleaned again, but how do I prevent this? WHy is this happeneing? Ugh.
Can these mites become bed bugs? I need to get my house cleaned asap. Can someone give me some advice?

[YYWW]

What are the white crystals? Are they not also bugs? Or are they eggs?
Finding out what types of bugs they are will help you figure out the solution to your problem. If they are mites, mites aren't just born from bacteria or waste. They come from somewhere else, nearby, and find your tank as a paradise filled with food and comfort. It will be near impossible to rid of them and keep your crabs alive at the same time.
If they are food mites they do not harm your crabs. They will come and go. If they are not food mites, then they are probably not mites at all and you have a different type of infestation. Maybe you should post some pics.


Crabbers unite!!!

[wodesorel]

First, bugs don't indicate a bacterial problem and it's completely unrelated to the crystals you're seeing. There are many harmless mites and bugs that inhabit crab tanks because of the heat and humidity, and because of the constant organic food source. These types of critters are found in our homes but are attracted to the tank, so cleaning it out is only a short term solution since they'll just keep coming back. If you're only seeing them on the crabs they should be treated, but within the tank themselves they're actually helpful as they break down waste and prevent mold issues. There are photos of different kinds of mites here: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 67&t=92530

Mites are not bed bugs! Completely different species. The kind of bugs in a crab tank do not harm humans or other pets.

What kind of "dirt" are you using? Formica is common in pretty much everything from the ground, and it looks like shiny crystals. Cocofiber will have sand in it, because of the where and how it's harvested. Even crab poop will have shiny bits in it, because of they way they break down the food. It could also be salt crystals that have crystallized out of the substrate as it dried.

[al3sha]

Thank you, I will when I get home.
The crystals are pretty large though, so I don't think they're eggs.
Ive picked one up before and tried to break it with my fingernail and it seemed crystal like and hard like a grain of salt (maybe from hermits?) Not sure though, its throughout the whole tank. Maybe from their salt soak? I hope.
The bugs are tiny and white. I've only seen a couple though, I haven't seen a huge infestation yet, but I do have a large tank.

What are the white crystals? Are they not also bugs? Or are they eggs?
Finding out what types of bugs they are will help you figure out the solution to your problem. If they are mites, mites aren't just born from bacteria or waste. They come from somewhere else, nearby, and find your tank as a paradise filled with food and comfort. It will be near impossible to rid of them and keep your crabs alive at the same time.
If they are food mites they do not harm your crabs. They will come and go. If they are not food mites, then they are probably not mites at all and you have a different type of infestation. Maybe you should post some pics.


Crabbers unite!!!

[al3sha]

First, bugs don't indicate a bacterial problem and it's completely unrelated to the crystals you're seeing. There are many harmless mites and bugs that inhabit crab tanks because of the heat and humidity, and because of the constant organic food source. These types of critters are found in our homes but are attracted to the tank, so cleaning it out is only a short term solution since they'll just keep coming back. If you're only seeing them on the crabs they should be treated, but within the tank themselves they're actually helpful as they break down waste and prevent mold issues. There are photos of different kinds of mites here: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 67&t=92530

Mites are not bed bugs! Completely different species. The kind of bugs in a crab tank do not harm humans or other pets.

What kind of "dirt" are you using? Formica is common in pretty much everything from the ground, and it looks like shiny crystals. Cocofiber will have sand in it, because of the where and how it's harvested. Even crab poop will have shiny bits in it, because of they way they break down the food. It could also be salt crystals that have crystallized out of the substrate as it dried.

Oh thank god lol
I'm using an eco blend dirt and wood chips (from the pet store of course). I do have a coconut fibre mat they like to sleep under like a tent.
From those photos, I don`t see any similarities.
I picked up two of my crabs last night and they both had a white bug crawing around them. I haven`t seen a cluster of them and I haven`t seen anything around the food.