how often should i clean my crabitat and how?!

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sunflower_crabitat
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Re: how often should i clean my crabitat and how?!

Post by sunflower_crabitat » Sun Jun 25, 2023 2:48 pm

KyMart wrote: I do not have any personal experience with having bacteria blooms or fungus or anything else in my substrate, I just have read lots about it, but I feel I'm not qualified to speak on the signs of these things because it's never happened to me personally! I'm interested in the answer to this question as well!
Haha, okay. So I'm guessing it's not very common?


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KyMart
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Re: how often should i clean my crabitat and how?!

Post by KyMart » Sun Jun 25, 2023 10:18 pm

sunflower_crabitat wrote:
Sun Jun 25, 2023 2:48 pm
Haha, okay. So I'm guessing it's not very common?


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It does happen to some, but not all. I'm not really sure what causes it, signs of it, or even how to stop it! I just know it's a thing, and a some of the prevention methods! 😂
I have 5 PPs in a 40 gallon breeder!
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JoeHermits
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Re: how often should i clean my crabitat and how?!

Post by JoeHermits » Sun Jun 25, 2023 10:36 pm

Bacteria blooms are caused by anaerobic bacteria growing in saturated substrate, which can happen when deep substrate stays wet and compacted so oxygen can’t get through. It often pops up when the tank floods (more water than the substrate can hold).

Fungi like mushrooms or mold just kinda happen. They like warm and humid so if there’s organic matter there’s a good chance you’ll get some eventually


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KyMart
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Re: how often should i clean my crabitat and how?!

Post by KyMart » Sun Jun 25, 2023 10:55 pm

JoeHermits wrote:
Sun Jun 25, 2023 10:36 pm
Bacteria blooms are caused by anaerobic bacteria growing in saturated substrate, which can happen when deep substrate stays wet and compacted so oxygen can’t get through. It often pops up when the tank floods (more water than the substrate can hold).

Fungi like mushrooms or mold just kinda happen. They like warm and humid so if there’s organic matter there’s a good chance you’ll get some eventually


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Thanks so much for the info! How can you avoid bacteria blooms? And how do you get rid of them?

How do you get rid of fungi and mold? Is there anything we can do to prevent them from growing?
I have 5 PPs in a 40 gallon breeder!
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curlysister
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Re: how often should i clean my crabitat and how?!

Post by curlysister » Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:20 pm

If you have a bacterial bloom, the substrate will need to be thrown out and replaced. Avoiding flooding, mixing up the subs now and then, not having super deep sub will all help avoid a bacterial bloom.
Fungus and mold are not harmful to your crabs, they can just be removed from whatever they are on. Wood items can be soaked or boiled in salt water (can be cooking salt, does not have to be marine salt) and dried to help prevent mold.
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KyMart
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Re: how often should i clean my crabitat and how?!

Post by KyMart » Mon Jun 26, 2023 12:10 am

curlysister wrote:
Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:20 pm
If you have a bacterial bloom, the substrate will need to be thrown out and replaced. Avoiding flooding, mixing up the subs now and then, not having super deep sub will all help avoid a bacterial bloom.
Fungus and mold are not harmful to your crabs, they can just be removed from whatever they are on. Wood items can be soaked or boiled in salt water (can be cooking salt, does not have to be marine salt) and dried to help prevent mold.
Thank you Curly!
I have 5 PPs in a 40 gallon breeder!
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Want to meet the crew? [link goes here when ready]
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KyMart

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