Temp dropped, crab died?

[Crabsalicious]

It biggest thing you need to work out is temperature. Many people in the Us and canada have had great success in a product called 'ultratherm'. Ideally when your looking for a UTH, you want it to cover as much as the back panel as possible, but shouldnt go too far into the substrate layer (ideally, it shouldnt... but if its a bit of an overlap they wont mind.) The good thing about this brand with many cant is that it can be insulated, so redirect heat that would of not warmed the tank into the tank....
(You can even get a larger size so when it comes to your upgrade, you dont have to buy a new one. The only problem is that you might be left with overhang; which isnt good to bend or cut as it can short or start a fire)


After temperature has been fixed, i suggest looking into purchasing salt, since they need it for mineral consumption. Any type of marine salt used for salt water fish is good, many seem to use brands called instant ocean or red sea. But any is good!

Edit. On tapatalk, so constantly have to check up on things that ive missed. Anyway, running water is a bit nono, since it often contains heavy metals abd compounds like chlorines thats lethal to our little guys. You probably notice that many of us - like myself - as recommend on removing the sponges from the dishes, since they just one big bacteria ball and the only way to properly sterilize is to let it dry throughly and microwave it.

Once the tank is established, there is no need to replace everything every month too. I would recommend rearranging it, to keep their little minds busy, but dont feel the need to wash it all out. Eventually the tank will become 'bio-active' and help you get rid of waste. (Doesnt excuse daily food removal or spot cleaning if needed)

Edit v2. Also recommend ditching the hermit crab food. Often full of fillers anf preservatives which can cause problems. Better to stick with a balanced and filling diet consisting of organic veggies, fruit and meats... (and everything in between).

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Thank you ever so much for this post! I feel horrible but your balanced advice helps a lot. I have well water, is that still unsafe? No chlorine or anything in it.

I put a heating pad up on the tank and the temp seems better. Will DEFINITELY buy the heater recommended. Is one enough for a 10 gallon tank?

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Ps. I do have the instant ocean (just got it) and will put it in. I didn't realise that about the bio activeness of these tanks - awesome to know. Thank you!

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[Crabsalicious]

What i would recommend now to keep the tank warm is to cover it with towels, especially recently dry towels thats warm from the 'dryer'. Another good idea would be to wrap with blankets.
However, im not sure on the brand of UTH you have, so keep that clear to ensure that it doesnt cause problems.

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I have the zoo med pad uth heater. Is that not a good one?

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[Crabsalicious]

Awww I hope he's ok! Don't assume he's dead till he gets stinky.

Thank you! I just wound up with hermit crabs this summer, and researched and thought I had everything ok. Can't believe how much these crabs have taken over my heart! I hope they'll be ok.

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Edit: the crabs stayed in my neighbors tank up until about 3 weeks ago, until I could get all the stuff to properly care for them, mainly a heater (I knew nothing when I first got them).

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[Crabsalicious]

Can anyone tell me what size "ultratherm" heater to get for a 10 gallon tank?

I see some saying it should cover most of back side (long side?) Of tank, others saying no more than 1/3 of back side? Thank you! I want to order asap.

Needs to be one that can hold temp in cool house (55-70F degree house) in winter (summer is always at 74F degrees)

Or what would best best for heating in these temps/seasons?

Thank you in advance!

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[Hermias_mom]

[quote="Crabsalicious"]Can anyone tell me what size "ultratherm" heater to get for a 10 gallon tank?

I see some saying it should cover most of back side (long side?) Of tank, others saying no more than 1/3 of back side? Thank you! I want to order asap.

Needs to be one that can hold temp in cool house (55-70F degree house) in winter (summer is always at 74F degrees)

Or what would best best for heating in these temps/seasons?

Thank you in advance! [quote="Crabsalicious"]

Get the largest Ultratherm heater that will fit on the back of your tank and stay above the level of the substrate (if it overlaps a bit it's okay). You'll need a minimum of 6" substrate. Also, with three medium size crabs, you should probably consider upgrading to a 15-20 gallon tank soon. HCA recommends at least 5 gallons per crab, more if they're larger. Guidelines for tank sizing vs. crab size and number of crabs are in the care sheets. But for now, to get the temp up, the largest ultratherm that will fit is fine. I got the 23" long one for my ten gallon tank and just let the extra three inches stick out from the end (don't bend or trim it, you'll bust it). That worked fine. Also may need to insulate the tank and over the back of the heater like GotButterflies and AussieJJdude said. The Ultratherms are great and should pretty much fix your temp issues. If it gets too hot, you can use a reptile thermostat to keep it at a set temperature. Also, might want to use some plastic wrap and/or press-n-seal to keep the moisture in the tank (put it over the lid under the towel you've been using).

Wishing you best of luck for your new babies!

[aussieJJDude]

Well water should be fine, however id personally dechlorinate to remove heavy metals, which may be present in low concentrations in the water.
One ultratherm should be enough, everyone who has them says great things about them.

As for the instant ocean, thats amazing! Im sure they love it.

Edit. Zoo med is ok, but many struggle to keep high temperatures with them... people do use them, but seem to use multiple along the back and sides to get in their desired temperature range.

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[Crabsalicious]

Can anyone tell me what size "ultratherm" heater to get for a 10 gallon tank?

I see some saying it should cover most of back side (long side?) Of tank, others saying no more than 1/3 of back side? Thank you! I want to order asap.

Needs to be one that can hold temp in cool house (55-70F degree house) in winter (summer is always at 74F degrees)

Or what would best best for heating in these temps/seasons?

Thank you in advance!

Get the largest Ultratherm heater that will fit on the back of your tank and stay above the level of the substrate (if it overlaps a bit it's okay). You'll need a minimum of 6" substrate. Also, with three medium size crabs, you should probably consider upgrading to a 15-20 gallon tank soon. HCA recommends at least 5 gallons per crab, more if they're larger. Guidelines for tank sizing vs. crab size and number of crabs are in the care sheets. But for now, to get the temp up, the largest ultratherm that will fit is fine. I got the 23" long one for my ten gallon tank and just let the extra three inches stick out from the end (don't bend or trim it, you'll bust it). That worked fine. Also may need to insulate the tank and over the back of the heater like GotButterflies and AussieJJdude said. The Ultratherms are great and should pretty much fix your temp issues. If it gets too hot, you can use a reptile thermostat to keep it at a set temperature. Also, might want to use some plastic wrap and/or press-n-seal to keep the moisture in the tank (put it over the lid under the towel you've been using).

Wishing you best of luck for your new babies!

Thanks for the info! I was using press and seal but was concerned for airflow. I'll go back to using it.

Do people normally have mesh lids?

So a 23" x 6 " would be good for a 10 gallon tank?

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[aussieJJDude]

I think in the US it is pretty common to have mesh lids, especially in smaller tanks.

As long as there is some parts that arent covered, gas exchange will happen. Likewise, when you clean or add food, you open up the tank which also helps in cycling the air...


Edit. Yeah, that size will work well. You just might have some overhang since its slightly longer than the tank. But fine to use
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[Crabsalicious]

Well water should be fine, however id personally dechlorinate to remove heavy metals, which may be present in low concentrations in the water.
One ultratherm should be enough, everyone who has them says great things about them.

As for the instant ocean, thats amazing! Im sure they love it.

Edit. Zoo med is ok, but many struggle to keep high temperatures with them... people do use them, but seem to use multiple along the back and sides to get in their desired temperature range.

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Thank you! I just ordered ultratherm. The zoomed one I have isn't keeping the temp high enough.

I just added the instant ocean today...hoping they like it

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[LadyJinglyJones]

The trouble with zoomeds (especially smaller ones at lower wattages) in climates that require a heater is that they can't be safely insulated. In my own experience, any small heater will need insulation to maintain low 80°s... but this is safe with Ultratherms, and not safe with Zoomed. Cardboard, tinfoil, & Styrofoam are solid components of insulation. GotButterflies, of course, swears by reflectix.

[Crabsalicious]

I think in the US it is pretty common to have mesh lids, especially in smaller tanks.

As long as there is some parts that arent covered, gas exchange will happen. Likewise, when you clean or add food, you open up the tank which also helps in cycling the air...


Edit. Yeah, that size will work well. You just might have some overhang since its slightly longer than the tank. But fine to use
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Thank you

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[Crabsalicious]

The trouble with zoomeds (especially smaller ones at lower wattages) in climates that require a heater is that they can't be safely insulated. In my own experience, any small heater will need insulation to maintain low 80°s... but this is safe with Ultratherms, and not safe with Zoomed. Cardboard, tinfoil, & Styrofoam are solid components of insulation. GotButterflies, of course, swears by reflectix.

Thank you!

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[Crabsalicious]

So , I went home on lunch beak today to take the foil off from the zoomed uth. I noticed that the area where the crab in the picture (named "Rose") is is all dug up, and it appeared that she may have dug down into the substrate (and kicked up a pile of sub behind her in the process) because I did not see her on the surface. I didn't have time to really even go home today, so couldn't stay around and check it out more closely, but wondered if maybe it was a sign she was ok - or do they do that when they are dying? I have read about molting etc. I must concerned b/c she was laying the way you see in this pick for almost 2 days.

I did turn the temp up in my house this morning before I left, and had the tank wrapped in aluminum foil and blankets since the original posting on this thread.

The temp says its like 71 degrees now (I am waiting on the ultratherm heater to come in the mail). Do you all think they will be okay like that for another few days until the heater arrives?

[Hermias_mom]

So , I went home on lunch beak today to take the foil off from the zoomed uth. I noticed that the area where the crab in the picture (named "Rose") is is all dug up, and it appeared that she may have dug down into the substrate (and kicked up a pile of sub behind her in the process) because I did not see her on the surface. I didn't have time to really even go home today, so couldn't stay around and check it out more closely, but wondered if maybe it was a sign she was ok - or do they do that when they are dying? I have read about molting etc. I must concerned b/c she was laying the way you see in this pick for almost 2 days.

I did turn the temp up in my house this morning before I left, and had the tank wrapped in aluminum foil and blankets since the original posting on this thread.

The temp says its like 71 degrees now (I am waiting on the ultratherm heater to come in the mail). Do you all think they will be okay like that for another few days until the heater arrives?

Sounds like you had a crab (probably Rose) burrow in the substrate. This is a good thing. They like to burrow and dig. They often do it just for fun and to de-stress, not just in preparation for/while molting. Often they backfill their tunnels.

Whatever you do, if you can't see your crabs on the surface, please DO NOT go digging!!! Please. Your crabs will thank you not to do that. If by some chance, they are molting, you could collapse a molt cave, and they would suffocate. It sounds like there hasn't been time enough for molting to start, at least for Rose, but it's always better not to dig when the crabs are down, and not to do anything to disturb their tunnels while they're buried.

Other than that, I'd just keep them as warm as you can until the Ultratherm comes in, however you can manage to do that. I've tried hot water bottles, I know some folks have tried heating blankets or mats, or space heaters, or just warm towels. Whatever you pick, please be very aware of the risk of fire, and check the temperature of everything exposed to your heat source often to be sure nothing overheats. Especially don't leave things on that are not designed to run without supervision. The crabs went through some really awful conditions, probably including low temperatures and humidity, in order to get to us. A few more days at 71F will probably (in my opinion) be fine. If you're doing all you can to keep them warm, then you're doing the best you can. Best of luck!!!

EDIT: You mentioned putting aluminum foil and towels over your zoomed UTH. I don't think that's such a good idea. Zoomeds are not designed to be insulated, and you could be risking a fire. You can cover all the rest of the tank, just not the area over/on top of the zoomed UTH. It kind of needs it's own cut-out, if that makes sense?

[LadyJinglyJones]

Just for reassurance, I'll throw in that when I first inherited my crabs they were living in an unheated tank in a 65° house. Even after I added the same zoomed 8 watt heater you probably have, and also couldn't get temps up above 70° for weeks, the crabs were okay. I still have Harry & Luis (both ladies, named by a ten year old ) a year & some later. They've both molted a couple times. Crabs can be hardier than we think. You're getting what they need & doing well.