1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
- 55-gallon tank, filled about one-third full of sand/EE 50/50 mix - the 10-gallon iso has the same mix, about 6" deep.
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?
- i did have both recently, but my little guys kept climbing on them and destroying them, so i have neither atm. i'm looking for a good electronic temp/humidity gauge i can afford. in general, the temp is around 75-80*F, the humidity around 70-80.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
yes - the entire back and one end of the 55-gallon tank are covered with a heating pad from the Bean Farm (one big pad, one small on the end)
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)?
fresh water and salt water are both treated with API tap water conditioner, salt is Instant Ocean.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
dried brine shrimp, Hikari Crab Cuisine, fresh organic fruits and veg, dried natural foods from Amy's Crab Treats, occasionally peanut butter or honey; dry food is replaced every 3 days (or whenever the crabs finish it off, whichever comes first), wet food every 1-3 days depending on the type (honey lasts a lot longer in there than a piece of fresh fruit)
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
5 med-large PPs in the 55-gallon, about 2 years; 2 small PPs in the 10-gallon, about 2 weeks
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
all of the larger crabs have molted at least twice since i got them, the last one finishing maybe 3 weeks ago. the two small PPs in iso went down the day i got them, maybe 2 weeks ago, and have been down ever since.
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
the 55-gallon has two hinged glass lids with a blanket partially on top/across the back to keep in heat/humidity (the winters here are bad, and in summer we have to keep the AC cranked way up to cool this old house)
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
in the 55-gallon, 5 med-large PPs, in the 10-gallon iso, 2 small-med PPs
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
in the 55-gallon, 15-20 of varying sizes and types; in the 10-gallon there are probably 10-12
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
no, unless the high-nitrate water counts.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
we clean as needed, using only dechlor water and paper towels for scrubbing, and we deep-clean when there are no molters (the 55-gallon is due for a full deep-clean within the next month)
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
no.
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
i switched moss brands from ZooMed Terrarium Moss to Exo-Terra Forest Moss earlier this month and moved a lace rock from the iso to the 55-gallon; the iso is 2-year-old old sub cleaned and remoistened, with new moss on one end
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.)?
all 5 crabs in the 55-gallon seem healthy and active, eating well, getting along, shell-shopping, etc - but they seem to be going through their water very quickly, especially the fresh water.
16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
(original post)
my city is under a nitrate advisory, having exceeded the EPA's set limit of 10ppm (last check said 10.7ppm), and we're being told not to boil, filter, or freeze our tap water because it will only increase the nitrate levels. the official statement says it shouldn't be a health risk to humans over the age of six months or to household pets such as puppies and kittens - but they do recommend giving bottled water to "pocket pets", though i'm not sure if they mean mice, hamsters, etc or just any animal in general small enough to fit in your pocket.
so now i'm wondering if the high-nitrate water in my crabs' dishes (and in the misting bottle, and in the substrate!) could hurt them. i don't know if the regular water treatment i use removes nitrates as well as other nasty junk, i don't know if i should go out and buy jugs of distilled water, and i don't even know if high nitrate levels are dangerous to hermit crabs at all! they seem to be going through their water very quickly this week, but all five in the 50-gallon crabitat are medium-large PPs in good health, very active and eating well. i also have two small PPs in an iso tank, very likely molting, that i haven't seen in two weeks or so - molting being as stressful as it is already, could these little guys be at higher risk for nitrate poisoning, if they're even in danger at all?
i don't want to go out and spend a bunch of money (that i don't really have to spare) buying gallons of bottled water if it's unnecessary, but if the high nitrate level is in any way dangerous to my crabs, i want to take care of it as quickly as possible to reduce their exposure. can anyone help? this is making me horribly anxious.
i've gotten them larger water bowls as a result, and i've seen them drink from the freshwater several times; i change it every 3 days if it's gotten sandy or dirty, and top it off once a day if necessary (and lately it has been). they have been sitting in both dishes fairly often, like they're throwing a pool party. i figured it was the increased summer heat or molting prep, but could the nitrates be dehydrating them or making them otherwise in greater need of water? what about the shells i just did a maintenance boil/saltwater rinse on? should i empty the shell shop and reboil them in bottled water?
