Trying to help ,but now I need help!!!!

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Trying to help ,but now I need help!!!!

Post by niccolyas@gmail.com » Thu Oct 19, 2017 9:08 pm

:crabblush: Ok, so my friend got 5 hermit crabs from a pet store. I went to her house and she had ALL of them in a critter keeper. I told her she needed a bigger tank. Long story short, I traded her a 29 gal tank for 2 of her poor crabs. I am a new crabber, but research everything before I commit. So my 2 crabs got here and one immediately went under, normal behavior. The other one went under that night but, I see him from time to time. The one I took from her because it was so stressed, is the one the buried himself, I honestly believe he buried himself to die. Lol. I know he could be molting. But I don't have high hopes beings he has been under going on six weeks. So fast forward to today. I went to her house to give her some sardines that I opened and don't want in my fridge an she tells me she only has one crab left and to take him and the stuff. So now, in my 10g tank I got the small one I barely seen, the one possible molter, and the biggest hermit crab I have ever seen!!!!! Obviously I need to move them to the 29g but I am waiting on myheater to get her because she had nothing..... So finally to my questions. My 10g tank conditions are perfect 82/84 sub is 6 inches which was actually about 4.5 times my crab. Now I have this big guy so I know it isn't deep enough but I'm setting up the other tank tomorrow. What I need to know is how long after I set the tank up can I move them? Do I wait a couple days, a week, do it right away??? And I also need to know if the 24 watt heater on the outside is gonna keep my tank warm. I never had problems with the small tank so I'm worried the bigger tank maybe an issue. The new crab is doing great, he is constantly switching between shells and I have noticed that my little guy have been up all day with him so I'm glad he has a friend. My next question is the one that's been down. When I change tanks I wanna empty the 10g till we move. I obviously know we shouldn't dig, but the tank needs to be moved reguardlees, so, any suggestions on that in case I dig and he is actually alive...... please help. U am honestly just trying to give them the best life they could have in captivity :crabbigsmile:

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aussieJJDude
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Re: Trying to help ,but now I need help!!!!

Post by aussieJJDude » Thu Oct 19, 2017 10:36 pm

With big tanks, its actually easier to keep temperatures stable. The more volume acts as a buffer and as a result, temperature fluctuations arent as extreme. Also long as the heater is of appropiate size, it should be fine.

If you come across a moulting crab. It needs to be isolated, such as using a small tupperware container. Add a little substrate, place the crab inside (and exoskeleton) and then use a hidy hole to cover the crab. Do NOT bury! If needed, add little dishes for water and food. Once its out and about, feel free to add to the tank.

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Re: Trying to help ,but now I need help!!!!

Post by niccolyas@gmail.com » Thu Oct 19, 2017 10:53 pm

Thank u for replying. What about the move? How long does it take to stabilize? Or are they ready once temp/humidity read...
Edit: terrarium is what I'm referring to. I used to own numerous fish tanks and we had to have them set up a week before fish could be introduced. Are crabitats the same?? Or ready to go is what I'm asking. Sorry for the ramble.

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Re: Trying to help ,but now I need help!!!!

Post by LadyJinglyJones » Thu Oct 19, 2017 11:21 pm

With (land!) crab tanks you don't need to establish bacterial colonies in a filteration system to cycle ammonia through the Nitrogen Cycle (TM); the crabs aren't in water where ammonia waste is aqueously supended, so their own excreations wont build up and kill them.

As soon as the air temp is in the ballpark & humidity is up, they can go in.

But you should of course clean up their poop. And use a dechlorinator that mitigates ammonia in tap water... because their bathing water is ingested and used to moisten their gills.

Preferably the tank is stable (temp and humidity not fluctuating much) before the crabs go in. If you can give it a day or two that's great - but if the crabs gotta move, then the crabs gotta move.

As for how long stabilization takes, it depends on the tank & ambient conditions. You may find yourself fiddling with heat & humidity for a while after setup (like if your ambient humidity is super-low, or if your room temperatures vary considerably from one day to the next, making consistent heating an issue). But as mentioned, larger tanks are much easier regarding stability. :)
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Re: Trying to help ,but now I need help!!!!

Post by Renroc » Fri Oct 20, 2017 7:05 am

While waiting for another heat mat is it possible to put the big tank agains the side of the smaller one that has the heat mat? That way the heat mat could heat both tanks only a short term solution but it could be helpful.


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Re: Trying to help ,but now I need help!!!!

Post by niccolyas@gmail.com » Fri Oct 20, 2017 7:51 am

I had the heater shipped overnight so it should be here along with a shell order today. I will definitely set up tonight an move the big guy so he can bury himself it he want. I am PRAYING I don't get him in the right conditions an he bury himself right away. Lol. He has made my little guy so much more active. :P This morning I woke up to find the cuttle bone half way across the tank. I see a lot more cleaning up the tank with him around :? Can't wait to get off and open my boxes. The set up a new tank. My favorite. Lol

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Re: Trying to help ,but now I need help!!!!

Post by GotButterflies » Fri Oct 20, 2017 8:11 am

Wow...just read through all of this! Great job on helping the hermies! :)

So, substrate should be a minimum of 6" OR three times the height of your largest crab. Whichever is deeper is the depth you go with.

Your one crab could still be molting. I've had crabs down for 5-6 months before I've seen them again. Stay positive :)

We are happy to help! If you want to fill out this template and we can check the rest of your stuff to make sure all is well. :)
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Re: Trying to help ,but now I need help!!!!

Post by niccolyas@gmail.com » Sat Oct 21, 2017 9:07 am

Ok here is an update. But tank is set up, I had put 8 inches which is all the sub I have except for 2 bricks of coco fiber an I know we supposed to mix it so I will wait till I get more sand next week. Unless u all feel like having that much c.f. is ok. Then I will gladly mix it an put it in. Lol. (Yes, I use instant ocean as suggested on here. Lol) The crabs seem to just want to be in their log after the move altho they were active last night cause their blood warms are everywhere!!! The heater was a success and keeps the temp warmer then I could get the last tank. :banana: Humidity is high 80s , we looking good so far!!! Oh yeah, unfortunately the buried crab was a goner. But I took him because he was so scared so it was no surprise. Now my son want me to set him up the pc in his room. He says it's not fair I get a pet and he doesn't :lol: After the move huney, little does he know, I got me a 65 waiting for after the move. Lol. Now THAT is gonna be fun to decorate. Lol. Thank u all so much for your help. This site is AMAZING :cheer:

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Re: Trying to help ,but now I need help!!!!

Post by Happyhermiehome » Tue Oct 24, 2017 8:26 pm

Major props to u for doing right by them! :D
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Re: Trying to help ,but now I need help!!!!

Post by niccolyas@gmail.com » Tue Nov 07, 2017 8:42 pm

just to post an update, they are moved, adjusted and thanks to the crab garden well fed. Lol. My Big guy loves the Moss pit while the little guy roams the rest of the tat. I went and got shower caddies and made a second level Big guy has actually stayed up and didn't bury - like I thought he would.I love the activity I have in my tank. After we we move I want to get another for my tank and 2 for my son. I have became ADDICTED!!!! :lol: :hlol: :cloud9:

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