What would you do?

BalderRask · Post by **BalderRask** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 5:18 am

So I have a 10 gallon for 3 crabs with all coconut substrate, and I'd like to make half of it sand. I'd go ahead and do it but Alice is still down for a molt. I have an area blocked off where I THINK he is, as it was where I had last seen him and there was evidence of digging, but I have no idea if he decided to tunnel himself to another part of the tank. When I put the barrier in, it didn't feel like I was going through any air pockets, it felt all solid.

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 6:08 am

The odds of him being where you think he is are very low as hermitcrabs rarely stay in the same area where the burrow down, they typically move to another location via a tunnel system this is a defensive mechanism to stop other hermitcrabs and so forth from easily discovering them while underground.

BalderRask · Post by **BalderRask** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 6:14 am

Do you think I should go ahead and remove the barrier I put in then? It is taking up some space...

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:03 am

You can if you want to, at this point I don't see it offering the burrowed hermit much protection.If you can, carefully slide the tank out so you can peek underneath hopefully the little guy has left you a window if he has this will be a definite way of telling where he is.

BalderRask · Post by **BalderRask** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 4:21 am

It's also been about a month since he's been down there...I know everyone says he should be alright, but I can't help but worry with my bad anxiety... Alice is my little buddy! Out of all the crabs in his tank at the pet store, he was the only one up and around, and the second that we made eye contact, I knew he was the one! He's really cuddily! As soon as I brought him home and put him in his new home, he climbed to highest point (which was a cork wood tunnel) and started chirping! I think, and it felt like it in my heart, that they were chirps of happiness! He then came down, looked at me, and chirped again! It felt like he was thanking me!I just need some reassurance and some good words to get my brain to stop worrying about him.Also, Johnny just loves to dig holes! He never digs lower than an inch, but he goes around, digs a hole, then leaves it!

jenok · Post by **jenok** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 8:18 am

I agree with crabber see if it left you a window under the tank then you can see where it is and whats going on.

Tetra4CClyPtus · Post by **Tetra4CClyPtus** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 10:16 am

Crabs usually go all the way to the bottom when they setup to molt. Maybe Alice is all the way to the bottom. So you wanna add the sand to the opposite side where he is not at right? Does anyone know the " cut around a molter method" ? Maybe that will help too

BalderRask · Post by **BalderRask** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 4:26 am

I've looked at the bottom and all the sides; Alice is nowhere to be seen! I do have a 5 gallon ISO tank that's currently uninhibited, should I go ahead and put half sand in it?Also, how should I have the sand?Underneath the Eco earth?Straight down the middle half-and-half short ways? Long ways?Eco earth on top with a sand pit in the middle?I'm sorry I'm asking so many questions! I just want what's best for my little guys; I wanna give them a happy, healthy life!

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 4:46 am

It wont matter how you do it in a few weeks the sand will be completely mixed in with the ee anyway.lolWhen I was doing a mix of ee and play sand I would completely mix it up myself because I didn't really see the use of doing a divided half and half or trying to do a certain layout with the sub being divided in any particular way since they crabs would eventually mix it all together on their own.

jenok · Post by **jenok** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:06 am

Once again crabber is right. Unless you specifically put in a divider from the bottom to above the top layer they will eventually get it all mixed up. I personally don't like they idea of putting a divider in cuz it would be kinda like you in a house with walls and doors and the lights off you would bump into everything. I think you would be better off waiting until your crabs show up then arranging the tank how you want it.

BalderRask · Post by **BalderRask** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:43 pm

ALICE POPPED UP IN LIKE THE LAST HOUR!!!HOLY BALLS DID HE GET BIG!!!