HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So currently the sand in my tank is so dry. Whenever I spray the sand with a spray bottle, it only wets the top of the sand. Ive been tempted to take out everything, and all the crabs, and soak the sand and everything, but I'm I think some of my crabs are molting right now. But I can't leave the sand dry like this. I spray and spray it on top, but it just seems to sit on the top is all. Anyone have any suggestions what I can do? I've always had this problem, and right now I'm sure I have some crabs molting, and worried about them. Thanks

I dont know if this is the correct soulution, but i have done this and its worked. I add water and just pour it onto the sand. That way the water soaks through the sand because of the gravity of the falling water

Are you sure it's all dry; all the way down the the bottom? The most of I recommend is to wet it in the areas that you're sure that the crabs aren't moulting in (after all pouring a bottle of water right on top of a moulting crab will surely collapse their cave). Wetting/drenching the corners would be something I would do.

Yea it's dry all the way down im pretty sure. And Idk where the crabs are molting. Because I have 18 crabs, and only 5-6 are on top right now. The rest are destressing still or just digging for fun or I assume molting. So I'm not really sure what to do. I've always had this problem, I spray the top 2x a day, and dries out pretty quickly on top.

Did you start the tank out with substrate that was dampened to sandcastle consistency? Do you have a UTH that covers the whole back of the tank, including the substrate? And do you have the top of the tank sealed up in anyway? If you started out with sandcastle consistency, I'm not sure how it would've dried out enough to dry out the sub all the way to the bottom...

It's winter. My house is 16% humidity. I have to add two gallons of water a week to substrate to keep it moist!

I actually use the same method as Ilovehermies74 - the water dump. Never had trouble with molters down, but it has to be done carefully and with small amounts at a time if it's become extremely dry. Get the very top wet everywhere in the tank so that the water flows evenly, and then add a small amount at a time, over a period of a couple of days. Sealing the tank up well will allow the moisture to penetrate downwards. You'll need less than you think, or you risk flooding!

I guess I'll try just dumping water throughout the sand. The main thing I was worried about was flooding as you said. But I'll do it carefully. I honestly don't know how it gets so dry so fast. I've always had this problem. And yes I did have it sand castle consistency. But it dries up so fast.

What does your lid look like? You can cover part of it with saran wrap to keep more humidity in.

Its just a screen lid, but yea I'll try doing that also.

wodesorel wrote:It's winter. My house is 16% humidity. I have to add two gallons of water a week to substrate to keep it moist!

I actually use the same method as Ilovehermies74 - the water dump. Never had trouble with molters down, but it has to be done carefully and with small amounts at a time if it's become extremely dry. Get the very top wet everywhere in the tank so that the water flows evenly, and then add a small amount at a time, over a period of a couple of days. Sealing the tank up well will allow the moisture to penetrate downwards. You'll need less than you think, or you risk flooding!

Yes i have the same issue. I live in Minnesota and it is cold and 11% humidity. I get nervous every day at school because i cant get home soon enough to douse their tank. I have not had any problems either.

HermitCrabAddicted wrote:Its just a screen lid, but yea I'll try doing that also.

I have a screen lid on my 20 H. With a bubbler in both pools, I have two hand towels on top. They cover the areas not covered by a 10g aquarium lid that i use as a light.

With the bubblers and towels, i just moisten my moss pits once a weke and it overs at 75% farthest away from the pools/moss.

I have yet to buy the bubblers, still need to. But I'll try putting some towels on the lid to see if that will help. I did put some water over the sand yesterday, and its all dry again today. Ill dump a lot of water in there tonight, hopefully will help, plus the towels.