Help Template

[bloomire]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
I use regular play sand and it's 4-5 inches deep.

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
My gauge for temp and humidity are near the top of the tank and they read 70 F and 70-75 humidity most of the time.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
I use a 70 watt heat lamp to heat the tank, using a blue bulb in the daytime and a red one at night.

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?
I have 1 freshwater dish and 2 salt water dishes. I use the Prime Concentrated Conditioner for fresh water (the normal ratio I would use for my freshwater fish tanks) and Fluker's Hermit Headquarters soaking salt (1 tsp per 1 cup of dechlorinated water)

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I replace the food every night and I mix it around every night, using cuttlebone, meats, fruits, and veggies.

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I have had the crabs for 3 years and they are purple pincher hermit crabs.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
He molted around 2-4 months ago, but never changed shells.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
They are in a 55 gal glass tank with a screen lid (one side of the lid is wrapped in saran wrap for humidity)

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
I have 3 crabs and 1 is still in 1/2 inch shell openings while the other two are in 2 1/2- 3 inch shell openings.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I have 9 extra shells, all the right size for them to go in next.

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No.

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I clean my tank every 1-2 weeks by cleaning out the top layer of sand and any extra food. Once every 2 months I wash off the decorations also.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No, there aren't any sponges.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
No.

15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?
I don't do any playtime or bathing, but I always make sure their food dish is cleaned and they have water deep enough to bathe in.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
My 2 big crabs are crowding around the smaller one, and whenever he tries to change shells, they start to walk towards him and scare him. I haven't heard any chirping or seen them touch him yet, but I'm worried they will get more aggressive. I have also never had these problems in my tank before.

[GotButterflies]

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
I use regular play sand and it's 4-5 inches deep.

GB: HCA recommends minimum of 6 inches deep or 3 times deeper than your largest crab. (Is it sand castle consistency?) Can you stick your finger in it and it stay or does it collapse?

2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
My gauge for temp and humidity are near the top of the tank and they read 70 F and 70-75 humidity most of the time.

GB: Is your gauge digital or analog? you always want to make sure that is accurate. Hermit crabs have modified gills and need the humidity to breathe. The absolute minimum it should be is 80. The absolute minimum for heat is 80 degrees as well.
Things you can do to get the humidity up: Add a moss pit, add air stones to your water, make a diy humidifier. Do you have a lid to your crabitat? Glass lids help keep the humidity in. If you have a screen lid you can use press n seal over the top of it, or have a piece of plexiglass cut. You could also add eco earth to your substrate. It helps retain humidity.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
I use a 70 watt heat lamp to heat the tank, using a blue bulb in the daytime and a red one at night.

GB: imho, Heat lamps are known for zapping humidity. A lot of crabbers use them without issues. I personally prefer UTH (under the tank heaters). Us crabbers do not use them under the tank though, that is a fire hazard and would cook our crabbies. We place them on the sides of our tanks, right above the substrate.

4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?
I have 1 freshwater dish and 2 salt water dishes. I use the Prime Concentrated Conditioner for fresh water (the normal ratio I would use for my freshwater fish tanks) and Fluker's Hermit Headquarters soaking salt (1 tsp per 1 cup of dechlorinated water)

GB: Get rid of the fluke's hermit headquarters soaking salt. Just throw it away. I'm not kidding. Pretty much anything on the market for hermit crabs isn't safe for them. It's sad. You need to get Instant Ocean. That is a product that you use to make Marine Salt Water. (So basically you are trying to mimic the ocean water for the crabs). Follow the instructions on the box

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
I replace the food every night and I mix it around every night, using cuttlebone, meats, fruits, and veggies.

GB: Great - don't use commercial foods. Here is a list of safe foods. Be sure to provide lots of calcium: eggshells, oyster shell, sea urchin, etc. http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92557

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
I have had the crabs for 3 years and they are purple pincher hermit crabs.

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
He molted around 2-4 months ago, but never changed shells.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
They are in a 55 gal glass tank with a screen lid (one side of the lid is wrapped in saran wrap for humidity)

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
I have 3 crabs and 1 is still in 1/2 inch shell openings while the other two are in 2 1/2- 3 inch shell openings.

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I have 9 extra shells, all the right size for them to go in next.

GB: You can encourage them to check out the shells by dipping them in marine salt water after you have boiled them. It never hurts to have more shells, and make sure you have different types available to them. Here is a list:
http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 24&t=92552

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
No.

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I clean my tank every 1-2 weeks by cleaning out the top layer of sand and any extra food. Once every 2 months I wash off the decorations also.

GB: Not necessary. Just clean out old food. Make sure the decorations are getting cleaned off with dechlorinated water.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
No, there aren't any sponges.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
No.

15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful (anything that is regularly part of your crab care, playtime, bathing, etc.)?
I don't do any playtime or bathing, but I always make sure their food dish is cleaned and they have water deep enough to bathe in.

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.
My 2 big crabs are crowding around the smaller one, and whenever he tries to change shells, they start to walk towards him and scare him. I haven't heard any chirping or seen them touch him yet, but I'm worried they will get more aggressive. I have also never had these problems in my tank before.

Okay, I replied with GB for GotButterflies - hope that helps! Hopefully you can adjust your tank conditions to help them thrive We are here to help you!!! If any more questions, just ask!

[GotButterflies]

If you are interested: the website for UTH that I recommend - www.reptilebasics.com
A cheap good digital hygrometer (imho): https://www.walmart.com/ip/16888914?wml ... 3=&veh=sem

[bloomire]

1. It's sand castle consistency, and it's 3 times deeper than my big crab.
2. It's an analog. Would getting a heating pad work and could I put it on the side of the tank? I don't think I'd be able to lift it without draining everything. I use the ReptiFogger humidifier for my tank but even with moss it has a hard time staying in. I've used plexiglass lids for aquariums before, so would I need to drill holes in the top for the hermit crabs? I'll also try adding EcoEarth.
3. So should I just ditch the lamps for nighttime too?
4. Thanks for telling me! I didn't know that marketed salt for hermit crabs would also be bad
5. Can you get oyster shells at a grocery store? And do you have to blend them into a powder or something?
10. I'll try to get some more variety then. I've noticed that they go for the ones I've gotten online rather than the ones at the petstore, so I'll definitely try to switch over to those instead.
11. How often should I clean the sand then?

[GotButterflies]

1. It's sand castle consistency, and it's 3 times deeper than my big crab.
GB: Great!
2. It's an analog.Would getting a heating pad work and could I put it on the side of the tank? I don't think I'd be able to lift it without draining everything. I use the ReptiFogger humidifier for my tank but even with moss it has a hard time staying in. I've used plexiglass lids for aquariums before, so would I need to drill holes in the top for the hermit crabs? I'll also try adding EcoEarth.
GB: Analogs just aren't reliable. It could be wrong. Yes, that is what I was telling you. We NEVER put them under the sand. That is a fire hazard, and would cook our crabbies. You would put it on the back of your tank, or on the sides of your tank. Eco Earth will help boost your humidity. If you have any molters down, or any destressing, only add 1 inch per 24 hours and do not pack it down You can moisten it with dechlorinated fresh water or dechlorinated marine salt water. (ALSO - ARE YOUR DISHES deep enough for the crabbies to submerge in? Hermits need to be able to fully submerge in their water bowls, and they need to be able get out of them too. A lot of us use tupperware containers as water bowls (The disposable kind). Then, you can use aquarium decor or craft mesh for safety.
3. So should I just ditch the lamps for nighttime too?
GB: Your choice. I would until your humidity is right.
4. Thanks for telling me! I didn't know that marketed salt for hermit crabs would also be bad
GB: Yw. No worries, it's not your fault, it's a marketing scheme.
5. Can you get oyster shells at a grocery store? And do you have to blend them into a powder or something?
GB: I bought mine off of Amazon. Mine is crushed oyster shells for birds. https://www.amazon.com/Hagen-B2460-Oyst ... B0002ARURE
10. I'll try to get some more variety then. I've noticed that they go for the ones I've gotten online rather than the ones at the petstore, so I'll definitely try to switch over to those instead.
11. How often should I clean the sand then?
GB: It really isn't necessary unless you have issues. Just spot clean as needed.

Once again, I replied as GB

[bloomire]

1. It's sand castle consistency, and it's 3 times deeper than my big crab.
GB: Great!
2. It's an analog.Would getting a heating pad work and could I put it on the side of the tank? I don't think I'd be able to lift it without draining everything. I use the ReptiFogger humidifier for my tank but even with moss it has a hard time staying in. I've used plexiglass lids for aquariums before, so would I need to drill holes in the top for the hermit crabs? I'll also try adding EcoEarth.
GB: Analogs just aren't reliable. It could be wrong. Yes, that is what I was telling you. We NEVER put them under the sand. That is a fire hazard, and would cook our crabbies. You would put it on the back of your tank, or on the sides of your tank. Eco Earth will help boost your humidity. If you have any molters down, or any destressing, only add 1 inch per 24 hours and do not pack it down You can moisten it with dechlorinated fresh water or dechlorinated marine salt water. (ALSO - ARE YOUR DISHES deep enough for the crabbies to submerge in? Hermits need to be able to fully submerge in their water bowls, and they need to be able get out of them too. A lot of us use tupperware containers as water bowls (The disposable kind). Then, you can use aquarium decor or craft mesh for safety.
3. So should I just ditch the lamps for nighttime too?
GB: Your choice. I would until your humidity is right.
4. Thanks for telling me! I didn't know that marketed salt for hermit crabs would also be bad
GB: Yw. No worries, it's not your fault, it's a marketing scheme.
5. Can you get oyster shells at a grocery store? And do you have to blend them into a powder or something?
GB: I bought mine off of Amazon. Mine is crushed oyster shells for birds. https://www.amazon.com/Hagen-B2460-Oyst ... B0002ARURE
10. I'll try to get some more variety then. I've noticed that they go for the ones I've gotten online rather than the ones at the petstore, so I'll definitely try to switch over to those instead.
11. How often should I clean the sand then?
GB: It really isn't necessary unless you have issues. Just spot clean as needed.

Once again, I replied as GB

Thanks for the help!

[GotButterflies]

You are welcome! Anytime!