My crab is pooping in his water dish!

[curlysister]

Well, that's almost enough of us to have our own club! Hahaha!

[Hermiesguardian]

Well, that's almost enough of us to have our own club! Hahaha!

[Badmouse]

I'm so relieved to know it's ok not to scoop their poop! I make sure to get it out of the water dish, although the last 2 times it caused an "argument" when I nearly traumatized my big guy with my efforts to provide clean salt water. I've found areas where they seem to like to pile it up but it always disintegrates when I try to remove it. In 4 yrs, I've probably removed like 1% of their total waste. I use a probiotic spray to help break it down and keep the funky smell out and have never had an issue with it.

could you please tell me what brand of probiotic spray you use? that sounds like a good idea.

[apaplayer]

That picture of Diablo with poop on his shell makes me laugh out loud every time I see this post!

[VickieG]

Omg, if I could only figure out how to post a picture... it's Flukers Deodorizing Probiotic Spray for Hermit Crab Enclosures. I order it from Amazon, but think I first got it at a pet store. It's like $4-6 for 4oz, depending on, well, I have no clue why the prices fluctuate, but it lasts me about 6 mos. I use a few sprays every week or so. The instructions say to spray the water, substrate, decorations 2-3 times a wk depending on need. Ingredients: purified water, natural enzymes,beneficial bacteria.

About 2-3 times a month or anytime the tank smells a little funky from food, I spray it around, making sure to target the poo piles. I make sure to spray the salt water and freshwater pools. I have the tank separated into sand and a small fresh water 'pond', aerated and don't change it every week, so I figure the probiotics help keep it balanced. I have plants and mystery snails in the fresh water which also help. My oldest crab I've had over 3 yrs, so it at least doesn't hurt and absolutely makes it smell better! Glad to be of help..

[Badmouse]

Yeah I cant figure it out either I've seen people post the picture directly on the post but when I looked into the forum for posting pictures it said to use a photo sharing server, and I have google photos so I used that- but it only posts a link that takes you to the picture. Thats funny I was thinking while reading to ask how long you've had your crabs for and you answered it in your post. 3 years- you've got some good crabbing experience. Thank you so much for sharing I wonder why I haven't seen more information about the probiotic spray that sounds like a very beneficial thing to have. I've got aerated pools too sounds like a good fit.

Thank you!

[curlysister]

Hmmmm....so many things that are marketed for hermit crabs aren't actually safe for them. Obviously this hasn't harmed your crabs, but I wonder if it actually does anything beneficial. Personally, I wouldn't use it, but that's just me. The ingredients are listed as 'water, enzymes, bacteria'. Seems too vague for my liking, LOL.

[VickieG]

Someone clued me into the secret for posting pics...download the tapatalk app...

I don't spray the crabs with it, and it does make the tank smell fresher. I know they don't care for a stinky enclosure any more than I do.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[JoeHermits]

Hmmmm....so many things that are marketed for hermit crabs aren't actually safe for them. Obviously this hasn't harmed your crabs, but I wonder if it actually does anything beneficial. Personally, I wouldn't use it, but that's just me. The ingredients are listed as 'water, enzymes, bacteria'. Seems too vague for my liking, LOL.

It seems safe enough to me.

Hermit crab feces are broken down in the crabitat by bacteria. This product just speeds it up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Badmouse]

Very valid points from all regarding the probiotic spray. I'll do a bit more research on it before purchasing

[VickieG]

That's the reason I got it initially. There's another brand as well, same concept, same ingredients. I found them both on Jason's Frogs.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

[DragonsFly]

Note: if anybody is reading this that has a relatively small crabitat, it is still the best idea to scoop out what poop you see. Once you are up to a much larger 'tat with lots of substrate, especially if you are using or including EE, it is less necessary, as there is less likelihood of ammonia concentrations building up anywhere (assuming you don't have a large number of crabs). With my 55g and 90g, I never scooped poop (and never noticed any smell), but I only had 3 crabs in them, and if I saw any poop in a water source I did change the water right away. I don't expect the 120high will ever need scooping either!

[VickieG]

It's Josh's Frogs, not Jason's, sorry, but here is the description from the manufacturer:

Fluker's Deodorizing Probiotic Spray removes unpleasant residue and odors. It is nontoxic and easy to use. The naturally occurring bacteria neutralizes odor fast and breaks down organic, land hermit crab waste. This product discourages toxic ammonia build-up in hermit crab water. It also improves hygiene of hermit crab water and sand, and keeps land hermit crab's home smelling fresh and clean.
 
My smallest tank was a 20L, and we're moving to a 75, but I was always frustrated trying to remove the poop. It would disintegrate or get lost in the substrate and I'd end up scooping out more sand and fibers than waste, or it would be in an area that was too difficult to reach without disturbing the whole area, crabs included. I was concerned about missing too much and when I found this product I was relieved. I do try to get out what I can, and I never leave it in the water, but it makes me feel better about my poor scooping skills!

I agree that the smaller the habitat, the more pressing it is to remove the waste.


Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

[AL247]

Is pooping in the food dish normal? I just put fresh carrots last night and this morning I saw a ton of brown strands mixed in! I threw out everything and put fresh carrots again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scuttlecrusty22]

Is pooping in the food dish normal? I just put fresh carrots last night and this morning I saw a ton of brown strands mixed in! I threw out everything and put fresh carrots again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah it is, hermit crabs kinda just poop everywhere, and they don't consider all the extra work they will make us do to clean them up.