Salt Water questions

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 11:09 pm

bigalpha wrote:Ok, as a geologist, I know that salt is actually super small crystals of halite.
So, what if I just got a big block of halite, and powdered it, and used that for salt? The only thing that you'd have to worry about is the impurities in it. What if you could get actual seawater, boil it, and get the salt from that?

Sorry it took me so long, but I PM'ed Julia_Crab about the halide. This is basically the response I got from her.

I used DW for a long time, and had success with it. When I switched to actual purified ocean water, there was even more activity than ever in the salt dish.

I believe a lot of people in the past have ruled out rock salt as it's not really pure at all. Sulfites and other compounds could also be present. The crabs aren't getting just salt from the water, but a bunch of other minerals as well. That won't affect their diet in any appreciable way. However, I think the smell of actual seawater attracts them.

I would say, no, a block of halide wouldn't work.

I hope it helps you out some more.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 1:23 am

yeah, i didnt think that busting up some halite would work either -- it was just a spur of the moment thought.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 4:21 pm

I know you are all trying but I can't order online either, I don't have credit card or anything. I know you are trying to help though.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 6:13 pm

Tinster, most places will take a check or money order as well.

If you're still giving them that type of salt, you're damaging them. Do you know what species they are? And, if you have Meijers stores around you, you're somewhat close to me. Where do you live? If nothing else, I could send you enough to make a gallon, and that should give you time to get to a pet store somewhere.

bigalpha, it never hurts to ask! I knew she'd know the answer so I went straight to her.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 6:15 pm

for those making their own salt: DON'T.

I killed a crab doing it that way before I knew the truth....

bettinacharlotta · Post by **bettinacharlotta** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 8:54 pm

Today I asked my dad if he had bought the salt. He said no but he was sure we had sea salt around somewhere. I told him I had used the last of it five years ago. But when he went to the basement, he pulled out two bags of sea salt from the shelf! I guess I had forgotten it there when I used it for brine shrimp five years ago. There is one unopened bag and one half full. It is pure sea salt my mom had bought from Finland at least ten years ago. I found a terra-cotta dish, filled it with salt water, and put it in the crabitat. Now I have a nice little salt water pool. I decided not to use a soap dish because the dish I found is small enough and fits perfectly.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 9:57 pm

are ya sure that you had the right ratio of salt:water?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 10:03 pm

I BELIEVE (not sure) that the correct ratio is 5 tablespoons of salt to every gallon of water...

I killed a crab by using salt w/ anti caking agents.... then I came here I found out aall about salt water!

bettinacharlotta · Post by **bettinacharlotta** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 10:18 pm

What is the correct ratio range (the most salt and the least that is safe to add)? Is there a "too much" and "too little" amount of salt? If there is a lot of salt, can't a crab just drink less than if there was only a little bit? I put about a teaspoon of salt into about 1/4 cup of water. In the wild, wouldn't they come across waters with different amounts of salt (the ocean compared to an estuary)?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 10:29 pm

I use 1/2 a cup per gallon of my sea-salt (boiled and filtered sea water)

If you have a hydrometer, I usualy do between 1.021 and 1.024 for specific gravity. It's easy once you have done it once or twice

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 10:43 pm

crabs can regulate their salt content w/ fresh water, so I don't think you can go wrong... someone correct me if I am wrong.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 12:00 am

That's true, but having it around 1.021-1.024 is basically the same as sea water (depending on where they were from) and it probably makes them feel more at home

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 4:54 pm

I tried replying and lost internet connection so excuse me if I am posting twice. I have a PP crab (he's name is Merlin). I've had him only two weeks and some odd days. I used the salt water twice and never noticed anything wrong with him but I have taken it out now for a couple days and he seems to be doing okay (he's out next to me climbing around). The only question I have has to be posted in a different forum so I am going to do that. But my sister lives in the city with the pet store and she is going to get me some but it will take a few weeks to get it, will Merlin be okay till then?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 5:01 pm

he'll be fine until then ~ don't worry!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 5:10 pm

Hello!

IÃ¨d like to add a few questions myself...

The water basin in my tank is fairly big; 2-3 gallons. It's a portion of the tank sectioned off by plexiglass and silicone. I don't change it very often because well it's big, and it's filtered. I do have questions though:

1. the water evaporates fairly quickly. When replacing it, I add unsalted water, as obviously what evaporates is pure water, not salt, which stays in the basin... right? I figure adding salt water would increase the salinity for nothing.

2. I use a fogger in there at times to increase humidity. I presume the water vapor created is that, pure water..? I don't want salt to end up in the fresh water basin right by it. It's the first place the fog covers sooo I'd rather be sure.

Thanks!

HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Salt Water questions

I found it!

Ratio

more salt water questions