HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I've posted on here a few times, I just worry a lot.

I have two crabs, and recently I got 6in of substrate. I give them freshwater and saltwater, hermit crab food, etc.

Ever since I put the substrate in, which was about a week ago, they haven't come up??? Not even to eat. I can tell they haven't because everything is untouched. I replace the water and food daily still. I keep it humid and a good temperature. I know they're alive because I sometimes hear them moving or scratching at the bottom of the glass. I can see them clearly, too, at the bottom. I have not messed with them at all. Do I just keep waiting? Are the destressing? How do I know if they're molting? I can see them but I don't know what molting looks like.

Post as many times as you want. When I was new I also asked all the same kinds of questions every new person asks and worried a ton. My first molt was a surface molt and every couple of days I was online asking more questions even though all I could do was wait. People were patient and kind with me.

What you described sounds great to me! It sounds like they are settling down for a molt-which is them complimenting your substrate change. What you would see in molting windows is hard to describe so I'll also include this pic from Alaska Hermit care sheets. But it looks like the crab's limbs and carapace and such but all jumbled up in a little pile, and once the crab starts eating it the pile will look a little different every day until it's gone or almost all gone. You can click on this link for a pic:

http://alaskahermit.com/wp-content/uplo ... heet07.jpg

Yeah, don't worry about them not coming up, that is how they will molt! Your tank sounds great, but it's hard not to worry.
Also, I would recommend blocking up the molting windows with opaque tape or some paper or something. If you want. Just because it's better for them to molt in darkness for a sense of security/less stress. It's not required, but it might help them. Good luck!