Deeping Cleaning and Sexing

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 4:58 pm

I have a couple of questions.

First off, how often should I deep clean my tank (it's a ten gallon)? And how do I go about doing this? Do I need to change the sand completely or can I just wash the stuff that is in there? What about cleaning the inside of the tank? Is hot water fine then rinse it with dechlorinated water? I'm coming up to one month with my tank, and just wondering when I should do this. I scoop the sand to take out the stale food they like to hide as well as the crabbie's poop

. Also, what do I do if one of my crabs is buried and it's time to clean? Do I just leave it until it surfaces?

My second question (I know it's more like my tenth, but second topic), how do I sex my crabs? I know what to look for, I just don't know how to get my crabs to show me their undersides. Any tips?

I think this is all I need to know. My boyfriend and I seem to be getting into a routine with the daily cleaning. We're planning on adding a second level. Oh, that reminds me, I have read that people add moss to the tank. Where would I go about getting moss? What type should it be? How do I disinfect it without killing it?

Also, I had driftwood in the tank, but it got moldy. Is this normal? Can I just clean it off, and add it again? Is there a way of preventing mold?

I'm so full of questions because I want to make the best environment for my hermies that I can. Slowly, but surely it is starting to come together. Limited funds aren't helping either. Anyway, I think that's it for now. ANy, and all advice is appreciated.

Thanks

Fiver

HERMEZ · Post by **HERMEZ** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 5:37 pm

First off, how often should I deep clean my tank (it's a ten gallon)? THAT DEPENDS ON HOW MANY CRABS AND HOW MESSY THEY ARE AND HOW IT SMELLS-I DO MINE EVERY 2-3 MOS And how do I go about doing this? DUMP IT ALL OUT AND WIPE DOWN WITH SALT WATER AND OR VINEGAR AND WIPE OUT GOOD Do I need to change the sand completely or can I just wash the stuff that is in there? YOU CAN WASH THE STUFF BUT ITS CHEAP ENOUGH TO PITCH IT ESPECIALLY WITH THAT SIZE TANK. Also, what do I do if one of my crabs is buried and it's time to clean? Do I just leave it until it surfaces? WELL YOU CAN DIG UP AND BE READY TO ISO OR CUT AROUND THE CRAB IF YOUR SAND IS MOIST ENOUGH THAT THE SAND WONT COLLPASE.
My second question (I know it's more like my tenth, but second topic), how do I sex my crabs? I know what to look for, I just don't know how to get my crabs to show me their undersides. Any tips? WELL MAKE THEM THINK THEY ARE GOING TO A FLAT SURFACE--(HARD TO DESCRIBE) AS THEY COME OUT SWING THEM AROUND AND I KINDA HOLD ONTO THEIR LEGS (NOT PULL) BUT I PLAY WITH THE IDEA THAT THEY CAN WALK AND IT MAKES THEM EXTEND OUT FARTHER.....SOME COOPERATE AND SOME DONT.
Where would I go about getting moss? What type should it be? How do I disinfect it without killing it? MOSS CAN BE BOUGHT AT WALMART THERE IS A KIND THEY SELL THAT IS NATURAL (NO DYES ETC ETC)--WET IT DOWN WITH SALT WATER AND I PICK OUT THE STICKS AND STUFF--OTHERWISE YOU CAN BUY REPTILE MOSS.
Also, I had driftwood in the tank, but it got moldy. Is this normal? Can I just clean it off, and add it again? Is there a way of preventing mold? I GAVE UP ON WOODS EXCEPT CHOYA AND CORKBARK--TOO MUCH HASSLE - SOME PEOPLE HAVE NO PROBLEMS AND USE SALT WATER
I'm so full of questions because I want to make the best environment for my hermies that I can. Slowly, but surely it is starting to come together. Limited funds aren't helping either. Anyway, I think that's it for now. ANy, and all advice is appreciated. GO TO THE DOLLAR STORE--LOTS OF GOODIES THERE
Thanks YOUR WELCOME
my answers are in caps

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 5:55 pm

I agree with herm-ez on the tank cleaning. I tried baking the sand once and its just a hassle for how cheap it is. with the glass I bought "hermit clean" by jurassipet. I say herm-ez way sounds alot better. When I'm done with this bottle ill do that. Thanks herm-ez!

With the sexing, I give mine a bath when they first come home. That way I know there clean and keep the ISO clean. When I take them out I hold them upside down (shell opening up), 3 of mine have came out to see what was going on and I got to check what they were. I should say when they come out I tilted them down so I could see underneath. The other two are very shy. With one I hold there shell in one hand and a cracker (or something they like) in the other, hold them higher up so you can see under them. The last one fell on his "back" slipping off another one, and I happened to get to look. I have 4 boys and 1 Girl!

About the moss, What is the walmart kind called. Id like to get some but I'm afraid ill pick the wrong stuff or a bad brand.

And last I second the dollar store! I have many different kinds around here and they all have different stuff.

HERMEZ · Post by **HERMEZ** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:14 pm

The moss is called Naturals Floral Moss its a $1.88 here

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:36 am

a couple other ways to check for male or female: if you can catch your hermie near the front of the tank while he is digging, or standing on the substrate and reaching up onto the glass to search for something to grab on to- nice way to check and not freak them out. maybe put a temporary net at the front of the tank so theyll stretch and climb it.

you could also set them on their back and when they try to twist around and set themselves up straight put your finger or something else out above them (like a hermie bench press set up) so theyll reach with their legs for it and youll get an excellent shot of what you need to see. not all of them will go for that, so dont force it, but if they do it works great.

some of mine also seem more comfortable stretching out after a bath like New Crabie suggested.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 7:52 pm

Thanks for the advice on sexing them. I will probably start doing it soon. Iwant to give them some time to adjust to their home, and 3/4 of them are buried right now destressing.

I will probably be heading to Walmart late this week or early next to pick up some moss and net and plants for the tank so they can climb and what not.

I have a feeling that soon I'm going to have a storage container with accessories for the crab tank so they don't get bored with their environ.

Thanks again,

Fiver

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:21 pm

I have a feeling that soon I'm going to have a storage container with accessories for the crab tank so they don't get bored with their environ.

Thats for sure! Ive redecorated the tank once a week. Im always buying new stuff!