Tank movement during molt?

This forum is where you discuss issues relating to molting hermit crabs, including pre- and post-molting issues. If you are having a molting emergency please post in the Emergency Forum.
Post Reply

Topic author
Karumac
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2019 12:30 pm

Tank movement during molt?

Post by Karumac » Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:44 pm

So I'm crab sitting for my girlfriend while she's away.

The tank is at my house and her crab began to burrow Sunday night. It's still under with no signs that it surfaced during the nights.

Is it safe to transport the tank back to GF's house when she's back from vacation, or does it need to stick around here until little Jade surfaces?

User avatar

The Crab Maid
Posts: 122
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 9:38 am
Location: Delaware, USA
Contact:

Re: Tank movement during molt?

Post by The Crab Maid » Tue Jul 16, 2019 4:32 pm

How big is the tank? It may not be wise to move if it's not an emergency situation because moving the tank can shift the substrate and bring it down on them. If there is no problem with keeping the tank til Jade comes back up I'd recommend that. If it's an absolute need to move it, then you have to be extremely careful or even consider digging Jade up so the substrate doesn't collapse on them. If you end up keeping Jade keep in mind they could be down for weeks/months before resurfacing.
_φ(°-°=) ...... _φ( °-°)/ ...... φ(..)...... φ(..;) ..... φ(´д`o)

User avatar

Xenocrab
Posts: 685
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:04 pm
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Contact:

Re: Tank movement during molt?

Post by Xenocrab » Tue Jul 16, 2019 5:17 pm

Yes, I agree. Move the tank when all crabbies are up! Better safe than sorry!
6 babies, 4 Es and 15 PPs.


Topic author
Karumac
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2019 12:30 pm

Re: Tank movement during molt?

Post by Karumac » Tue Jul 16, 2019 5:35 pm

A week after GF is back, I go on my week-long family vacation.

If she's down and presumably molting do I just leave her plenty of water and dry food for that week?

Also: Tank is 5 gallon and has a solo crab.

User avatar

The Crab Maid
Posts: 122
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 9:38 am
Location: Delaware, USA
Contact:

Re: Tank movement during molt?

Post by The Crab Maid » Tue Jul 16, 2019 5:52 pm

She may not even be up to eat or drink while you're away. But you can toss some food in to be safe (nothing that rots quickly) and top the water off, she should be fine for a week. You may find nothing is even touched.

I would recommend a larger tank and a friend down the line, but that's up to your gf.
_φ(°-°=) ...... _φ( °-°)/ ...... φ(..)...... φ(..;) ..... φ(´д`o)


Topic author
Karumac
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2019 12:30 pm

Re: Tank movement during molt?

Post by Karumac » Tue Jul 16, 2019 6:40 pm

I've also been having humidity trouble, and I'm trying the saran wrap method.
Is that safe to leave on for a week? I feel like people who use that are opening up the lid at least once a day for food and water so air also gets in.

User avatar

The Crab Maid
Posts: 122
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 9:38 am
Location: Delaware, USA
Contact:

Re: Tank movement during molt?

Post by The Crab Maid » Tue Jul 16, 2019 6:50 pm

Maybe leave it with a couple small holes, but it should be fine.
_φ(°-°=) ...... _φ( °-°)/ ...... φ(..)...... φ(..;) ..... φ(´д`o)


Topic author
Karumac
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2019 12:30 pm

Re: Tank movement during molt?

Post by Karumac » Wed Jul 17, 2019 10:51 pm

GF is insisting on taking Jade home when she gets back despite the danger. Of all two options, is carefully digging her out safer than trying to not collapse her tunnel?

User avatar

The Crab Maid
Posts: 122
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 9:38 am
Location: Delaware, USA
Contact:

Re: Tank movement during molt?

Post by The Crab Maid » Wed Jul 17, 2019 11:20 pm

How deep is the sub and what kind of sub is it? I wouldn't really dig her up, if it's a 5g it doesn't sound like it's going to be that deep. So not much might shift.
_φ(°-°=) ...... _φ( °-°)/ ...... φ(..)...... φ(..;) ..... φ(´д`o)


Topic author
Karumac
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2019 12:30 pm

Re: Tank movement during molt?

Post by Karumac » Thu Jul 18, 2019 4:45 am

About 5 inches and it's pretty much all EE.

Post Reply