Confused!?

SstWnh13 · Post by **SstWnh13** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 4:21 am

Im the one who posted Crabs Molting? Im confused their actions all pointed to molting. I didn't bother them for a few days, but now they are coming back out. I put o light towel over park of the tank so it would be dark all the time. In case they needed food water. Yesterday I went to mist the tank and one was chilling in the food. I misted and covered it back up cause I didn't want to inturupt anything. The past couple nights they've been very active again. Those couple of days they weren't active at all. They rearranged the tank last night lol. Usualy I will clean it up a bit food gets everywhere, and I take their hints to move a few things around. Im scared to get in there and clean up I take them out to roam some too when I do that. I don't know whether to clean and get them or just try to get the food up and leave them be. I was prepared for a molting session due to their actions, but now I don't know. The time frame is roughly 10/20 -10/22 when I thought they were molting they have been un active since then until yesterday, but they were covered. Last night very active. If anyone can help me figure out what to do? Thanks!

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 5:25 am

Your crabs are likely pre-molt meaning they are tanking up on nutrients and trying to find the sweet spot(the spot that provides adequate protection and the best conditions) in the sub to molt in.It's not unusual for pre-molt hermits to go down and come back up three or more times before finally settling in and actually casting off the old exo.

SstWnh13 · Post by **SstWnh13** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 5:32 am

Ok! Thanks so much! Ive given them a bigger cave due to the recent shell change of one to a bigger shell. Given them fresh fruit and good foods they both seem to be getting ready so im leaving them in their normal tank. Should I take out any unnesseary things like the climbing log. just leave food and water so they have plenty of room to choose a spot? And during the pre-molt can I get them out to clean or should I just leave them in. I take them out in a smaller tank with handles for a walk in the sun. Can I do that? or is it best to just leave them be for now?

Geranium · Post by **Geranium** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:26 am

I would be inclined to leave them alone. Is you substrate nice and deep (6 inches minimum) and sandcastle consistency? They will choose a spot under the sub and make a molting pocket, then you wont see them for about a month, some more some less.

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 10:25 am

Yeah I would just leave them alone as it only serves to add stress to move them around.

SstWnh13 · Post by **SstWnh13** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 3:08 am

ok thanks guys. I did add more calcium sand and mixed it. I wasn't sure about making it moist since its their regular tank. They are doing it together so ill get it moist for them. They are really gearing up lol I have to refill the water twice a day. Thank you all so much!! Im so lucky I found this forum right when I got them. I worry a lot about making sure they are happy & healthy it means so much to have all these experienced owners to ask questions!

jenok · Post by **jenok** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 7:38 am

quote:Originally posted by SstWnh13: I did add more calcium sand and mixed it. I wasn't sure about making it moist since its their regular tank. They are doing it together so ill get it moist for them. Hold up a minute. Calci Sand is not the right sand to use. When wet this can harden and trap them in their shells among other problems. If this is what your using please take it out and replace it with playsand like a kid would use for their sandbox. Quickcrete makes a playsand and can be found at Lowes or other home improvement stores also some Wal-Mart's carry bags of playsand. Or you can get coconut fiber (Eco Earth - EE) at your local pet store. Just add enough water to make it moist and holds its shape (not soupy). I will also PM this info to you hoping you might notice it sooner.

SstWnh13 · Post by **SstWnh13** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 11:45 am

OMG!!!! Thank god I posted that and you read it. I bought some sand when I got them it was reddish color they had it with the crabs. I read about using calcium sand was good for them to get more calcium. I hadn't done it until someone put it on my question. So I did and I tried mixing it good, but when it settled water puddled up. I have been keeping a close watch to make sure the water isn't puddling. That's crazy to put "crab supplies" with the crabs, but its not the right thing. Wow!! I'm going out tomorrow, and I need to look for play sand &coconut but not a lot of the coconut right? Should I go to the pet store? Or is it better online somewhere? Thank you so so so much!!shew.

Geranium · Post by **Geranium** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 11:54 am

Calcisand as long as it is not colored is fine in a dish as a calcium source just not as a substrate.I have only been able to find Cocofiber/EcoEarth in a physical store at the petstore. When I can I stock up from an online source, usually Amazon but I shop around because it is usually quite a bit of a price difference. The same holds for UTH's.

SstWnh13 · Post by **SstWnh13** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 1:11 pm

Ok thanks. It's confusing the way I read it like you said it's good for them. It was a big bag so I never thought it wasn't for substrate. Glad you let me know!