New Crabbie Owner

TomatoaSebastien · Post by **TomatoaSebastien** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 12:58 pm

Hello All,

I am so happy I found this community of Crab lovers. I have learned so much already and hopefully have put it all to good use.

I have 2 PP's which I would consider smalls. I have a 29 gallon crabitat that I have tried to make as crab friendly as I can.

Currently I have between 6 to 8 inches of substrate EE and Play sand. I have two pools one of declor fresh and one of salt. The salt pool includes a bubbler. I have a big coconut hideout with ladder that I keep filled with moist moss, as well as a Moss pit on the ground.

Lots to climb on and hide in. Drift wood in the middle, with a rope climb from the moss pit up to a hammock. And a mesh net back ground that they like to climb..

I have a mesh reptile lid that I have covered in plastic wrap up to the heat lamp. I have a dual 8 inch dome heating lamp that has a daylight heat bulb and a red nighttime heat bub. Along with a UTH in the middle part of the tank right above the substrate line.

I am staying at 75 degrees and 78 humidity on the cool side of the tank and 80 degrees and 85 humidity under the heated lamp side of the tank.. My substrate temp is a bit cooler, 74 on the coolest side of the tank and 79 on the heated side of the tank.

I have only had Tomatoa and Sebastien for 2 weeks, but I love them so much!

Tomatoa and Sebastien came to me in painted shells, Tomatoa (Tom) switched out of his shell into a new shell the day we brought him home, I didn't know at the time that the shells I purchased at Petco were not appropriate but he was so ready to switch out of the painted shell that anything was better.... I did not have the right sizes for Sebastien as he is quite small. Fast forward a week and after finding this community I purchased a box full of Turbos in all kinds of sizes from Naples. Added the new turbos and Tom changes his shell right in front of us....(coolest thing ever) then about an hour later changed again... He has since stayed in that shell...Sebastien who is a bit more shy changed into a cute little jade Turbo overnight that he has remained in as well. I have removed the painted shells as well as the Petco shells.

I try to feed them a variety of fresh food, they really like honey, hard boiled egg, kale, and chia seeds. I grew a bunch of chia grass and planted it in their crabitat for some fresh produce..

They are pretty active, digging holes, and knocking stuff over...LOL...They nap together during the day in the Hermie hut, at night Seb stays in the hut and Tom moves up to the big coconut hideout.. I usually find Seb handing from the roof in the morning and Tom is in the food dish...

What can I do to make their lives better... Is there anything you would suggest I change or discontinue.
Thank you all for providing such a wealth of knowledge, experience and facts!

TomatoaSebastien · Post by **TomatoaSebastien** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 2:27 pm

Here is my crabitat and one pic of Tomatoa before he changed to his Turbo..

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HHIhermies1004 · Post by **HHIhermies1004** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 2:48 pm

You are doing great for your crab babies. Congrats on your nice looking tank. That large rope is a nice touch

.

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Hermiesguardian · Post by **Hermiesguardian** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 3:40 pm

Wow!! Really looks good!

ciaraalston · Post by **ciaraalston** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 11:37 pm

That sounds like a great home! And it looks amazing! Congrats!

Post by **aussieJJDude** » Wed Aug 22, 2018 1:24 am

Great pics! The tat looks pretty nice!

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YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Wed Aug 22, 2018 4:42 pm

Welcome to the HCA!

Sounds like you are off to a great start!

I just wanted to make sure that you are using marine salt for them, and not hermit crab salt or table salt

TomatoaSebastien · Post by **TomatoaSebastien** » Thu Aug 23, 2018 9:13 am

Thank you!!

I have been using hermit crab salt, and now I realize that is wrong.. What is the best kind or marine salt to get? I am headed to the pet store this weekend for supplies...

Thank you so much!

Hermiesguardian · Post by **Hermiesguardian** » Thu Aug 23, 2018 9:58 am

TomatoaSebastien wrote:Thank you!!

I have been using hermit crab salt, and now I realize that is wrong.. What is the best kind or marine salt to get? I am headed to the pet store this weekend for supplies...

Thank you so much!

Instant Ocean

HCA: Hermit Crab Association