New Crabber: How to prepare tank!!?

[Rawrgeous]

I usually just put them right into good conditions after a quick mite check and dip in the fw pool.

[Kellie]

Thank you!
What happens if you do find mites? / how do I check so I can look at aquarium?

Also guys, I set up the tank (all except water that is).
The humidity climbed to about 90%? I'm assuming it will settle down, probably because everything was fresh and new (might be because playsand was moist too, because my room is actually a bit humid).
Depending on my apartment temperature, the cage temp goes between 77 F and 83 F.
77 is a bit low though, so I think I'll insulate.
Otherwise all seems swell!
My sub is 1 brick and almost 1 whole bag of playsand (which I spent over an hour sifting out as much gunk as I could). So like 4/7 playsand?

Idk, here are pics!

[Kermie16]

Kellie! Ur set up looks great!!! The depth of ur sub look perfect and love the pools! I would have to say my favorite pieces are the cork round and the net! Did u make the net? It's beautiful ^_^. Moss pit looks nice and cushy ! Do u have a supply of shells for the little guys? Otherwise I think u got a great set up!!


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[Rawrgeous]

If you do find mites let us know, but as far as I know people rarely find purple pinchers coming in with mites, it's usually the exotics. I'll be honest I've never had somebody actually have the crab mites that I know of since I've started coming to this board. Just give them a dip in fw, and look at their leg joints. The "bad" mites are red in color and are found on the soft spots of the crabs.

[Kellie]

Thank you guys!

I have a few shells from Micheals, although they are medium sized.
I looked at Jo-Anns and all the turbos were very very small. I don't know what size my crabs will be until tomorrow, but I don't believe they will be as puny as Jo-Anns shells.
The aquarium I'm getting them from sells shells. They have tons of them in assorted sizes in tuberware that you can pick out. They are expensive, but if that's the only option that's the only option.
I'll order some online tomorrow night after I see my crabs size if the Micheals/aquarium ones don't work.

[LadyJinglyJones]

Don't forget to post pictures!

[Kellie]

Got my crabs! They are both in hiding right now.
One actively searched the cage and since has been playing with moss.
The second dug himself a little and hasn't moved since. I realized when placing him in the cage that he is missing a leg. I worry. ): I really hope he comes around and is ok. He had nice bright colors though.

Also. Problems with too much humidity? When I returned from break my tank was 77 degrees and 99% humidity. All my wood and my moss (which I cleaned the wood with salt water!) had that white hairlike mold growth. I wiped most off, but man is my humidity high.
Right now my tank has been at a steady 80 degrees 92% humidity for a few good hours, but still, what do I do! haha


I hate how much I'm worrying about my lazier legless crab.

Also they have 8 shells to choose from, 6 turbos (5 green, one yellowish) and 2 slightly odder shells, but still with circle openings.
They haven't checked them out yet though.

EDIT: Smaller crab took smallest turbo right when I turned my lights off, and is exploring cage (I can hear him!)
Lazy crab still hasn't moved and I'm so so worried and upset. At the pet store he was holding onto the wire cage, when I picked him up and put him into water he took a while to come out but he did, realized he was in the water, and make his way out of it fast. Then he marched his way to the other side of the cage, when I tried to grab him to put him in the carry container he held on strong, so I waited for him to stop to pick him up.
The car ride he was less active than the smaller crab, but still out extending his arms exploring and trying to climb.
When I put him in the FW pool he climbed over and out, through the SW pool, then hung to the corner of the SW pool and chilled a bit. Then slowly, taking his time, he climbed over and out of the pool.
He went to the corner of the cage (maybe two steps from where he climbed out of the pool) and dug himself a maybe 1cm deep hole and chilled.
He has been chilling there since while the other is active.
I hope it is just different personalities or he is adjusting differently. I just really worry for him. He is missing an arm but it seems he has a little nub growing in the place, another leg has a tiny chip. He has nice colors though, deep purple and a nicer red. When I held him he would spread out and smell around, did not seem limp or tense.

[Rawrgeous]

It sounds like you're doing great! There really is no such thing as too high humidity. Mold might pop up a bit quicker, but it won't hurt the crabs, and if you keep up on tank maintenance you shouldn't have anything too crazy grow. The one without a leg will likely regrow it within a few molts. Crabs from the pet store tend to be in desperate need of a molt, and as you know have been through a lot. Now is a good time to offer lots of calcium and protein rich food. Unfiltered honey and eggshells with some albium left in it are some popular foods with newbies. Offer some sort of animal based protein every day, and if you can get your hands on some pesticide leaf litter/ bark outside it's a great place to start.

[Kermie16]

Congrats on your two new hermies!! I would go by everything Rawrgeous mentioned above. Also, as tempting as it would be to pick them up and check on them, the best thing for them is to be as hands off as possible. Oh, and pics please when u get the chance. Pics and videos are always welcomed


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[PinchersAndShells]

Offer some sort of animal based protein every day, and if you can get your hands on some pesticide leaf litter/ bark outside it's a great place to start.

I'm sorry, but I'm pretty sure this meant to say pesticide free I hate when I forget to type important words in sentences

[Rawrgeous]

Oops, my bad. I was at work when I started to respond and I got a bit distracted. When I came back to the post I obviously didn't re-read it. .-.

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[Kermie16]

Offer some sort of animal based protein every day, and if you can get your hands on some pesticide leaf litter/ bark outside it's a great place to start.

I'm sorry, but I'm pretty sure this meant to say pesticide free I hate when I forget to type important words in sentences

I totally overlooked that! I guess in my head I saw "free" after pesticide cuz I have seen it so much! Lol


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[PinchersAndShells]

It's alright!! I just wanted to point it out just in case someone misunderstands

[Kellie]

Thanks so much guys!
Is it ok to feed the crabs eggshell from eggs that I hard boiled in tap water with table salt? Or do I have to make an egg specifically for the crabs?
I'm going out tonight to get some honey and more from whole foods.

Right now they have a small dish with dried "fruit salad", worm castings, a dried banana piece with coconut on it, and crushed oyster shell.
My injured crab hasn't left his hole, instead he has seemingly dug himself down more, as I can't see him anymore and the substrate is all pushed up against the tank glass. I believe he felt the urgent need to molt/destress.
My livelier crab ate some oyster shell and worm castings, and knocked some fruit salad into the substrate.

[Kermie16]

Hmmm. Good question! I try to stay away from table salt all together with the crabs but I'm following so I can hear from more experienced crabbers


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