HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Ok we are ready for set up. First the substrate... 5:1 do I wash sand to give it moisture? Or just the coconut fiber. Coconut fiber in salt water right... 1/2cup salt to 1 gal water. We have a water softener as well as an RO will that water be ok? It's what I use for my fish tank. I read to use less water to hydrate the brick then recommended.

I have water conditioner for their water bowls but don't know if RO water was ok for the substrate...
I have four of these to use for water with craft mesh as a ladder


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This is the salt I got I remember needing to get Marie salt by instant ocean but I hope this is right


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Hey there!

Yes, Instant Ocean is the correct product for creating your hermie SW. However, to dampen the substrate (sand/coco fiber combo) you should use dechlorinated fresh water (FW). The salt water should pretty much just be used in their SW bowl. Around here, you'll get suggestions to use Prime water conditioner to dechlorinate your water. It's all I've ever used for hermits and my tropical fish - it's great! Here's a link:

http://www.seachem.com/prime.php

You can get it in multiple sizes at various pets stores, online, through Amazon, you name it, whatever's best for you.

And yes! 5:1 in your substrate is correct.

So excited for you!

EadvEnturEs wrote:Hey there!

Yes, Instant Ocean is the correct product for creating your hermie SW. However, to dampen the substrate (sand/coco fiber combo) you should use dechlorinated fresh water (FW). The salt water should pretty much just be used in their SW bowl. Around here, you'll get suggestions to use Prime water conditioner to dechlorinate your water. It's all I've ever used for hermits and my tropical fish - it's great! Here's a link:

http://www.seachem.com/prime.php

You can get it in multiple sizes at various pets stores, online, through Amazon, you name it, whatever's best for you.

And yes! 5:1 in your substrate is correct.

So excited for you!

Is this one ok. I haven't ever had to use anything with my RO system with aquariums but thought with the drinking water I would be careful. I just didn't know if I would use this whole thing up mixing up the substrate



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Moorespride wrote:

EadvEnturEs wrote:Hey there!

Yes, Instant Ocean is the correct product for creating your hermie SW. However, to dampen the substrate (sand/coco fiber combo) you should use dechlorinated fresh water (FW). The salt water should pretty much just be used in their SW bowl. Around here, you'll get suggestions to use Prime water conditioner to dechlorinate your water. It's all I've ever used for hermits and my tropical fish - it's great! Here's a link:

http://www.seachem.com/prime.php

You can get it in multiple sizes at various pets stores, online, through Amazon, you name it, whatever's best for you.

And yes! 5:1 in your substrate is correct.

So excited for you!

Is this one ok. I haven't ever had to use anything with my RO system with aquariums but thought with the drinking water I would be careful. I just didn't know if I would use this whole thing up mixing up the substrate



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I started with that one, too!

In my opinion, that's totally fine for now. I would just get Prime or something similar when you run out of what you're using at the moment. I don't see an issue with it, and I doubt you'll use all of it setting up the substrate initially, so you should be fine. I would just treat the water gallon-by-gallon as needed in an old milk jug or something so you don't end up with way more than you actually need.

Ok it's about ready. I have a little coconut fiber left and a lot of sand. wasn't sure if I should have just added it but substrate is 5:1 but didn't want to go much deeper. I am at 6".
Was going to use hanging but for moist moss and the net on right for shells once i get it zip tied. The glass on the left only has a log ladder for a hide not sure what else to do with it

Thought are greatly appreciated





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Aww, I love it! It looks great!

Sounds like you did an excellent job with the substrate and your pools are super cute. Just to be sure, they're deep enough for the biggest crab to totally submerge, right? I like your mesh for them to get out!

What size tank is it?

Your sand consistency looks great!

The whole setup is very cute and homey, love it. Cute glass tunnel!

Also, do you have temp. and humidity gauges?

I have gauges and that was my other question... my heat mat is along the mat and all the way to the top of the tank do I need to lower it so it covers any of the sand??? I have a 20 gallon tall I believe... it's 19 tall by 30 wide. I think I need to calibrate my hydrometer but I have it with temp on one side and another on the other side of tank that is regulating the heat mat set at 80


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Nope, your heat mat is perfect and it sounds like you know what you're doing with your gauges. Seems like you're all set! I would just move you gauges around once in awhile and make sure neither thing is off by too much anywhere in the tank, since they can vary.

Love the setup! Just want to add that the sub will settle in a few weeks. The extra you have will come in handy.

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Ok temp dropped to 70 and humidity was up to 95. I think I will insulate the back of the tank today with polystyrene


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That should help plenty. At least your humidity is great!

It's so cute I hope mint looks as good as yours when I get to redo it. You did great

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