Got my first crab a few months ago and new one a week ago, any tips?

[HermitGuy3]

Hello everybody! I got my first crab (Zote) a few months ago and my second one (Fizban) about a week ago. My tank has freshwater and saltwater dishes, hiding places, 6 inches of substrate( 5:1 playsand eco earth), climbing places, a UTH on the side, a hygrometer (acurite), ordering a thermometer, ventilated lid with Saran wrap, and a blanket around the tank to keep it warmer. The substrate is pretty dry, does anybody have any tips to make it putty consistency without removing everything and spraying/mixing substrate? Are there any other tips?

[curlysister]

You can either heavily mist it and allow the water to soak in. Or you can just pour a bit at a time along the sides, and it will wick into the rest of the substrate. Be sure to check if it is dry all the way to the bottom, or if it is just the surface (if just the first inch or so, you won't want to add much more water) - you don't want to risk a flood by adding too much water. You can stick something like a chopstick along the glass to the bottom, and see if the hole caves in or not.

[HermitGuy3]

I will try these and update! Thank you!

[HermitGuy3]

I did the chopstick method and all the sand poured in. (Except under the freshwater bowl) I sprayed a lot of my water bottle out, and looked around the edges, but it had barely made a dent! I guess I have a lot of work to do!

[HermitGuy3]

I have made good progress and I can see that the "wetness" has almost reached the bottom! However, I think I might have stressed Zote out, because I was spraying him directly in the face. I have moved him so that he is not getting sprayed now.

[HermitGuy3]

So the next day I have now put a chopstick down again and it did not collapse at all, even to the very bottom! So now I am sure my crabs will not be forced to attempt a surface molt. Thanks for all the help!:)