Post
by curlysister » Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:49 pm
Currently my substrate is 1.5 inches deep on the end of the tank I poured it into. The area I left alone is only 1 inch deep. I know I need to add more, but is it safe to add more with Shelli molting? (If so, I'll pour some of my substrate mix into a baking pan and heat it in the oven for a few minutes) I do mist the tank frequently to keep the sand at sandcastle consistency and to keep the tank humid.
Curly - If there are no crabs underground, you can add as much new substrate as you need. Even if crabs are underground, you can add it, you just need to be careful not to drop it in or pack it down. From what you said, Shelli is above ground. Was there any of his old exoskeleton with him? If not, you don't know whether he is preparing to molt or is in trouble health wise.
I do not have a digital reader for my temp and humidity, but the indicator dial on my humidity reader is always between the moderate and humid markers. The temperature of the tank is constantly kept at 70 degrees. I am currently looking for a heat mat that isn't too expensive or too small so the tank can be warmer, because I don't think my heat lamp is doing enough to keep the tank heated well.
Curly - Are there numbers associated with 'moderate and humid'? You will need to get a hygrometer that you can see what the actual relative humidity reading is. And 70 degrees is too cold for hermit crabs. 72 is the lowest they can tolerate, but closer to 80 is safer to allow for dips in heat. Heat lamps tend to decrease the humidity even more, so if you don't live in a humid area, your crabs can quickly get into trouble using heat lamps.
Shelli still fits comfortably in his current shell, as he hasn't grown much in the months I've had him. Scuttle did move out of his painted shell though, but that was because he started getting bigger and was getting too big for that shell.
My hermit crabs are fed a mix of pellets, dried shrimp and dried mealworms, along with finely ground-up eggshells for extra calcium. I used to feed them cornmeal a few months ago, but found that they needed other healthy things to munch on and switched to the food medley. I will remove the sponges immediately, thanks for telling me about them absorbing bacteria!
Curly - Most commercial pellets aren't safe long term, as they contain preservatives. Crabs do well with a variety of foods in their diet, including animal protein, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, greens, grains, etc.
As I tend to be a money saver, my dechlorinated water used to be tap water (gross!) but I poured it into a kettle and boiled all the chemicals out of it. My salt water was made using the dechlorinated water and fine-crystal sea salt. (I used the recommended measurements of sea salt to mix into it before I poured it into a separate bottle) I made sure there were no nasty chemicals added to the sea salt before using.
Curly - Unfortunately, boiling won't remove everything that needs to be removed from tap water, in order to be safe for crabs. Read through our 'water' care sheet for full info, but tap water with a dechlorinator such as SeaChem Prime is what is recommended. Then you will need to use a marine salt such as Instant Ocean to make the salt water. Sea salt doesn't have the minerals needed for long term health.
Scuttle is not currently bothering Shelli and has been avoiding crawling around the area that Shelli is in, but I will consider using a pop bottle to isolate Shelli like you've recommended.
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers
