HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi all, woke up today and noticed some funky black / grey stuff on the bottom of my substrate.. sigh.. after further investigation, most is effected and I’m trashing everything (playsand and EE mixed with prime)

My PP (medium) has been buried for about a month. I took my chances and uncovered him, to my surprise he was just chilling and started moving around instantly. I quickly set up my iso, due to his high activity I gave him a quick bath in saltwater (instant ocean) to get the icky sand off that may have been attached. I put him in a dark hide to reduce stress which he immediately just exited and started walking around (iso tank).

I’m kinda stirred up but glad he is fine.. for now.

1. Did I disturb his molting process? Or was he just destressing? There was no exoskeleton in the hole.

2. I’m getting more playsand tomorrow, after I trash all my infected substrate, how should I clean the glass?

3. Is there anything I can do for my poor guy to ensure he’s okay? I’m not sure how long the bloom has been in going since it just became visible.

4. When my main tank is ready again, should I just put him back in immediately? I don’t want more stress for the poor dude.

5. Should I mix my substrate with saltwater instead? Does that help with blooms?

Any other tips and guidance is appreciated, thanks guys. This is a large learning experience for me, I guess my substrate was a lil too moist

*temp and humidity has been normal to what’s recommended on here.


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I use saltwater in my substrate, but i do it to keep mold down.... don't know about blooms

I’m kinda stirred up but glad he is fine.. for now.

1. Did I disturb his molting process? Or was he just destressing? There was no exoskeleton in the hole.
Curly - If he was down there and there was no exo beside him, and he doesn't look pale and soft - he was not molting.

2. I’m getting more playsand tomorrow, after I trash all my infected substrate, how should I clean the glass?
Curly - You can probably just give it a wipe down with vinegar, or vinegar and water.

3. Is there anything I can do for my poor guy to ensure he’s okay? I’m not sure how long the bloom has been in going since it just became visible.
Curly - Nothing extra that you can do, just exactly what you are already doing!

4. When my main tank is ready again, should I just put him back in immediately? I don’t want more stress for the poor dude.
Curly - Unless he has dug down under in your iso tank, I would just put him back in the original tank.

5. Should I mix my substrate with saltwater instead? Does that help with blooms?
Curly - Salt water can help prevent mold, but doesn't necessarily prevent a bacterial bloom, from my understanding. A bacterial bloom will happen because there is little air flow down under the deep substrate, and anaerobic bacterial grows. I have never had one. I do hope one of the other admins/ mods will chip in with more help!

Any other tips and guidance is appreciated, thanks guys. This is a large learning experience for me, I guess my substrate was a lil too moist

curlysister wrote:I’m kinda stirred up but glad he is fine.. for now.

1. Did I disturb his molting process? Or was he just destressing? There was no exoskeleton in the hole.
Curly - If he was down there and there was no exo beside him, and he doesn't look pale and soft - he was not molting.

2. I’m getting more playsand tomorrow, after I trash all my infected substrate, how should I clean the glass?
Curly - You can probably just give it a wipe down with vinegar, or vinegar and water.

3. Is there anything I can do for my poor guy to ensure he’s okay? I’m not sure how long the bloom has been in going since it just became visible.
Curly - Nothing extra that you can do, just exactly what you are already doing!

4. When my main tank is ready again, should I just put him back in immediately? I don’t want more stress for the poor dude.
Curly - Unless he has dug down under in your iso tank, I would just put him back in the original tank.

5. Should I mix my substrate with saltwater instead? Does that help with blooms?
Curly - Salt water can help prevent mold, but doesn't necessarily prevent a bacterial bloom, from my understanding. A bacterial bloom will happen because there is little air flow down under the deep substrate, and anaerobic bacterial grows. I have never had one. I do hope one of the other admins/ mods will chip in with more help!

Any other tips and guidance is appreciated, thanks guys. This is a large learning experience for me, I guess my substrate was a lil too moist

Thank you so much curly! It took 10hrs but he’s back in the 65gl with fresh substrate & clean tank, not sure what caused it, I’m guessing the water got tipped and I didn’t catch it quick enough. Ugh, good thing I noticed it when I did!

Cheers!


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