HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Kels1513 wrote:Thank you so much! here are my answers:

1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
Coco fibers and calcium sand

D- How deep is it?? It should be at least 6 inches deep or 3x your largest crab. Whichever is deeper. Calcium sand is bad for them. It can harden like cement when wet. Your best bet would be to get some play sand from home depot, lowes, or walmart. You CAN use straight play sand, straight ee (eco earth) or a combo of both. Also make sure your cocofiber is the ground up kind not the chunky kind.

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?
Yes. Humidity is around 70-80
Temp is 70-80 as well

D- anything below 75 can cause them to slow down. Most strive for 80/80. If you have analog gauges, I suggest switching to digital. They're more accurate IMO. You can get a brand called Accurite from Wal-Mart under $10. Their kept with the air filters.

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
A heating pad 4 watts on the side of the tank and a daytime bulb and night time bulb.

D- lights tend to zap humidity. Zoomed and most other brands do lil to nothing for heat. If possible I would upgrade to an ultratherm heater. http://Www.reptilebasics.com or http://www.beanfarm.com is the cheapest. You'll want the largest that will fit along the back and above the sub.

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)?
Fresh water is dechlorinated by letting it sit overnight (I read it evaporates over night.)
I also have Safe soak that I spray occasionally
Salt water that I buy at Petsmart

D- you'll still need a dechlorinator to remove ammonia, chlorine, and other heavy metals. Most use a product called Prime. For salt, you'll want an marine grade salt since they have much needed minerals. Most use instant ocean for this.

5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
Blueberries
carrots
celery
egg
shrimp
a mixture of food I got on etsy that is made for crabs - all organic
egg shell for calcium

D- that's great! Make sure your feeding organic as much as possible.
food guide: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... #p852657on
Safe food list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 57#p852660
Unsafe list: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 56#p852659

6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
2 PPs 1 I've had for 3 months the other a week

7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
Not molted yet...that I know of. but have been underground for 2 weeks, the other 1 week.

8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
10 gallon tank with a reptile net to climb and coconut to hide under. big fresh water pond with shells under so they don't drown. wire lid with saran wrap over it to keep in humidity. twice a day I open it to let fresh air in.

9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
2 crabs- both the size of a ping pong ball, one is slightly smaller than the other but not by much

10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
I have a ton of shells...like 15

11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
I don't think so!

12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
I clean it every week. Check for mold exc. I just scoop it out.

D- clean how? All need is to remove poo and drug away foods.

13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
no sponges, I heard they were bad. water dishes are low enough they can get out easily but still fill their shells with the water they need.

14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
Just a unicorn statue

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.)?
When they were above surface I let them climb on my hands for exercise

D- they are prey animals. Being handled just stresses them out IMO. It's better to be hands off as much as possible.... For exercise, have you considered a modified hamster wheel?

16. Please describe the emergency situation in detail.