Here's a (semi outdated) picture of the tat. The humidity rose after I replaced the plastic wrap with a towel and covered more of the lid.
1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it?
--5:1 ratio of play sand and Eco Earth (from one of those bricks).
2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read?
--Yes, an Acurite temp/humidity gauge, which rests on the ground on the side opposite the heat mat. Usually read 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity varied a lot.Tried to keep it around 80- something by spraying whenever I could. I live in a very dry state.
3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what?
--Yes, an Ultratherm heat mat, placed on the back wall above the sub line.
4. What types of water are available (fresh or salt) and how is the water treated (what brands of dechlorinator or salt mix and what ratio is used to mix it)?
--Fresh and salt. Oh shoot, I totally forgot the brand names. Seachem Prime, I think, used on both types of water (a couple drops for a gallon) and Instant Ocean. I did whatever the box said for a gallon, I think 1/4 cup?? I looked on the HCA to double check the proportions at the time, though.
5. What kinds of food do you feed and how often is it replaced?
--HCP worm castings/oyster shells/protein mix, sometimes the mineral dust. I also fed apple, carrot, cucumber, leafy greens, garbanzos, oats, sunflower seeds, um??? Maybe beets?? Can't remember anything else. Turkey, once on Thanksgiving.
6. How long have you had the crab and what species is it, if known?
--Well, they're all dead now... Purple pinchers, got them in August.
7. Has your crab molted, and how long ago did it happen?
--One died underground on their first molt, the other molted, came up for a month or so, and then went down for another molt and never came up again...
8. What type of housing are the crabs kept in, what size is it and what kind of lid is on the housing?
--10 gallon glass aquarium, with a screen lid. It's sort of a metal mesh/grated thing. I have lid clips. The lid is mostly covered with plastic wrap, and now I cover most with a towel. Nearly the whole lid was covered due to humidity problems.
9. How many crabs are in the tank and about how large are they?
--There were three for about a day, but two once Iggy passed. Ludwig (the one that molted successfully once) was the only one that actually lived on the surface.
10. How many extra shells are usually kept in the tank, if any?
-+I think there's maybe ten, not including the tiny ones at the bottom of the water pools. Both crabs changed out of their painted ones on arrival.
11. Have there been any fumes or chemicals near the crabitat recently?
--Not that I remember. We sprayed for bugs in the basement, but the tank's upstairs and I closed the door and sealed any cracks.
12. How often do you clean the tank and how?
--Mostly just rearrange anything out of placed, refill moss, and change the water ever few days. Clean the fresh food bowl when it gets nasty.
13. Are sponges used in the water dish? If so, how are they cleaned?
--Nope, n/a
14. Has anything new been added to your crabitat recently?
--Everything was new at the time.
15. Is there any other information you would like to share that might be helpful?
--As mentioned before, it's very dry in my state. I did my best to keep the humidity up, but I had to spray a lot. Checked for floods, nothing was there. However, sand always seemed dry. Idk if they died from PPS or if there is some obvious flaw in my setup. Thanks so much for reading this, I just want my crabbing endeavors to not be a waste.
One other question I might have. So, I'm going to eventually have to do something about... you know, the crabs. I don't exactly think I can handle decomposing crabs. Any idea the state at which they'll be? It's been months since death for one, and more than half a year for the other....
Thanks.
Sorry! The hydrometer was calibrated, but I really should elevate it, thanks for the idea.
They can work great, many crabbers use them with great success, and definitely worth trying first.