HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello! I have been a Hermit Crab owner for 2 days now. My daughter got a Hermit Crab started kit years ago and I decided to buy a book before we actually got the pets to make sure we would be taking care of them correctly. I basically learned that nothing in the kit was right so we never got Hermit Crabs. It is years later now and my son discovered the book and has been studying it for months... So after lots of research on my own and some negotiation with my son (lots of chores), we now are the proud owners of three purple pinchers... I think. Hermy, Kermy, and Esteban.http://i24.photobucket.com/alb...1200_zps213cff63.jpgWe are realizing that a few changes need to be made to the Habitat (deeper water dishes and more shell choices,) but other then that I think things are looking good. I haven't bought a UTH yet, but we live in the desert... it should be a few months till are house isn't the perfect temperature anyway.http://i24.photobucket.com/alb...1193_z ... .jpgAnyway, that is pretty much it. Please let me know if there is anything else I seem to be missing... Substrate is play sand mixed with coconut husks 5/1 ratio about 4 inches deep. Humidity goes between 70 and 80 and temp is around 80 give or take a few degrees.A couple more pics.http://i24.photobucket.com/alb...1199_z ... 587681.jpg

Nice job doing your research ahead of time! Wish I had all those years ago. A few things, I would add more substrate. A minimum of 6 inches is recommended. Sponges are no longer recommended in the water dishes, they harbor harmful bacteria. They can be used dry as a food/cellulose source. And being in the desert humidity is going to potentially be a big challenge. 70 is too low, it makes it difficult for them to breathe so taking care not to let it drop below 75 would be wise. There things you can do to boost humidity. The most important is the sub being sand castle consistency. Water dishes being larger will also help, as can putting them next to the UTH once it is in place and on. Damp moss pit, larger seems even better in my tank, also can help.Looking really good though! Welcome to the fun!

quote:Originally posted by Zeblonite:Hello! I have been a Hermit Crab owner for 2 days now. My daughter got a Hermit Crab started kit years ago and I decided to buy a book before we actually got the pets to make sure we would be taking care of them correctly. I basically learned that nothing in the kit was right so we never got Hermit Crabs. It is years later now and my son discovered the book and has been studying it for months... So after lots of research on my own and some negotiation with my son (lots of chores), we now are the proud owners of three purple pinchers... I think. Hermy, Kermy, and Esteban.http://i24.photobucket.com/alb...1200_zps213cff63.jpgWe are realizing that a few changes need to be made to the Habitat (deeper water dishes and more shell choices,) but other then that I think things are looking good. I haven't bought a UTH yet, but we live in the desert... it should be a few months till are house isn't the perfect temperature anyway.http://i24.photobucket.com/alb...1193_z ... .jpgAnyway, that is pretty much it. Please let me know if there is anything else I seem to be missing... Substrate is play sand mixed with coconut husks 5/1 ratio about 4 inches deep. Humidity goes between 70 and 80 and temp is around 80 give or take a few degrees.A couple more pics.http://i24.photobucket.com/alb...1199_z ... 587681.jpg Hi nice to meet you ! Good job on your research ahead of time and your setup I been crabbing since 2012 as says in my signature Would you like to be buddies here with me? I'll add you to my buddiesThis forum is a great resource; I'm glad you came here. Your welcome to chat with me sometime if you need help from me as well

What is a buddy on this site and how would I do that? As far as the humidity goes, I think we are doing ok so far. Between the monsoons and the swamp cooler, . Our house is pretty wet (for a desert.) The winter might be another issue. Would multiple moss pits help when humidity is harder to maintain? Also would adding more of the coconut to the substrate help wit humidity? It is still at a good sandcastle consistency now, but if I'm going to add more anyway, this would be the time to change the ratio.

quote:Originally posted by Zeblonite:What is a buddy on this site and how would I do that? As far as the humidity goes, I think we are doing ok so far. Between the monsoons and the swamp cooler, . Our house is pretty wet (for a desert.) The winter might be another issue. Would multiple moss pits help when humidity is harder to maintain? Also would adding more of the coconut to the substrate help wit humidity? It is still at a good sandcastle consistency now, but if I'm going to add more anyway, this would be the time to change the ratio. Go on the users profile that you wanna be buddies with and click add as a buddy

Ah, yes, the joys of the monsoons with a swamp cooler... That is one of the very few things I don't miss about living in Arizona. Keep track though of what is actually going on in the tank. I find slightly more EE is better for humidity, others have not noticed a difference. Multiple moss pits wouldn't hurt.

Welcome aboard!