good dollarstore finds

[mcloomis]

I could talk about the whole story, but to put it simple: a relative got me a hermit crab for an x-mas party. proceeded to go to petsmart to get that zoo-med starterkit (the one that come with tank), along with a fake plant, a log shelter, and another hermit crab because (if i'm correct) they're social.

so I plan on re-doing the tank, and wanna give some more climbing space as it looks pretty empty. the two biggest thing I plan on getting from petsmart / countrymax (depend on where I wanna go) is some coconut substrate and a cheap thermometer / humidity gouge, possibly some live moss as well. after that, its whatever else is can find at the dollar stores in the area. any ideas on what there is that's safe for them?

[Hermiesguardian]

Those cheap analog guages aren't accurate at all. Try and find the digital thermometer/hygrometer for about $8 on amazon or at walmart. And you can get a 50lb bag of playsand at Home Depot or Lowes for less than $5. You will want to mix that with the coconut fiber. And mix with dechlorinated fresh or dechlorinated salt water to a sandcastle consistancy.

[Hermie escape artist]

Most digital therm are not to expensive .. if you have a petsmart or something like that i got a digital one for not to much !!! Like 12

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[mcloomis]

Most digital therm are not to expensive .. if you have a petsmart or something like that i got a digital one for not to much !!! Like 12

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

that's good to know. i'll think about that.

[mcloomis]

Those cheap analog guages aren't accurate at all. Try and find the digital thermometer/hygrometer for about $8 on amazon or at walmart. And you can get a 50lb bag of playsand at Home Depot or Lowes for less than $5. You will want to mix that with the coconut fiber. And mix with dechlorinated fresh or dechlorinated salt water to a sandcastle consistancy.

yes, I heard about playsand / coconut bedding mixures, but for now I just want to focus on one type of substrate. I chose the coconut bedding because my hermits prefer to dig in that. as for the thermometer / hygrometer, I saw the prices and while the same as the analog ones, they either focus on temperature or humidity and not both. i'll just have to wait and see.

[Hermiesguardian]

yes, I heard about playsand / coconut bedding mixures, but for now I just want to focus on one type of substrate. I chose the coconut bedding because my hermits prefer to dig in that. as for the thermometer / hygrometer, I saw the prices and while the same as the analog ones, they either focus on temperature or humidity and not both. i'll just have to wait and see.

yes, I heard about playsand / coconut bedding mixures, but for now I just want to focus on one type of substrate. I chose the coconut bedding because my hermits prefer to dig in that. as for the thermometer / hygrometer, I saw the prices and while the same as the analog ones, they either focus on temperature or humidity and not both. i'll just have to wait and see.

Using only coconut bedding will dry out faster. And here is the therm/hygro most of us use. AcuRite 00613 Humidity Monitor with Indoor Thermometer, Digital Hygrometer and Humidity Gauge Indicator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013BKDO8/re ... vCbVA4HBFQ

[curlysister]

I tried looking up that starter kit, but my laptop is having issues with the Zoo Med site, for some reason.
I agree with using a mixture of playsand and EE, most of us use a 5 to 1 ratio. It is cheaper than using all EE. It definitely holds it's shape well, and helps with humidity. When they dig down and molt, it is very important that they can make tunnels and caves that don't collapse, so it needs to be 'sand castle consistency'. Your crabs will like digging in it too, I guarantee it. And you don't need to change it out, only do spot cleaning. I have had the same substrate for the entire 8+ years I have had my crabs, I have just added more to it as I have moved to larger tanks. You will need at least 6 inches, or 3 times as deep as your largest crab.
Does your tank have a lid? If not, you can use saran wrap to cover it and hold the humidity in. A thermometer/ hygrometer is essential for having crabs. They have modified gills, and NEED humidity around or over 80% to live.
Was there food and water conditioner with the kit? Unfortunately, most products marketed for crabs are not actually safe for them. Tap water treated with a dechlorinator/ conditioner such as Prime is recommended for the fresh water. Then add a marine salt like Instant Ocean to the dechlorinated water to make the salt water. Pools need to be deep enough for the crabs to fully submerge, with a way for them to climb out. Most commercial crab food is not safe. If you look in the Food section, there is really good information about nutrition. Crabs can eat much of what we eat, as long as it is organic. They need protein and calcium every day.
Dollar stores will have lots of good stuff for a tank. Many of us use Rubbermaid type food containers for water bowls, plastic shower caddies, you can make stuff with craft mesh/ plastic canvas, use plastic locker organizers, etc. Look in the DIY section and the photo section to see pictures of what others have done.
Read through the care sheets and various sections of this site. All the info you need to have healthy happy crabs is on here, it's the only source of information I have used in my entire time crabbing.