HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello!! As i've talked about before, i will be moving into a new room in the house, one much bigger. And the hermits will be moving into a bigger tank as well! Though, i do have a question. We still have a little bit of paint to go, but afterwards we'll be set to start moving things in!

So here's the question: How long should i wait before introducing them into the new room if it has been painted?

I'd wait until no paint fumes can be 'smelled' within the room. A good airing out beforehand to get rid of the remaining fumes would also not hurt!

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aussieJJDude wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 22, 2019 9:26 pm

I'd wait until no paint fumes can be 'smelled' within the room. A good airing out beforehand to get rid of the remaining fumes would also not hurt!

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Alrighty. I'll see how much of my stuff I can move in before handling the tank. Nanny wants to move the 29 gal into there until we have the 100 gal set up, and she won't take no for an answer. I know Dwebble probably went under for a molt again, and I haven't seen lucky, so I'll have to dig them up to avoid collapsing tunnels.

I've painted my house a few times since getting the crabs. I seal up their tank with press and seal before painting, and then open it again the following day. Lots of airflow through the house in the meantime to dissipate the smell. The newer low and no VOC paints are pretty safe though. Never had a problem.

wodesorel wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 23, 2019 2:11 pm

I've painted my house a few times since getting the crabs. I seal up their tank with press and seal before painting, and then open it again the following day. Lots of airflow through the house in the meantime to dissipate the smell. The newer low and no VOC paints are pretty safe though. Never had a problem.

That's good to know. I'm having some painting done in a couple of weeks.

wodesorel wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 23, 2019 2:11 pm

I've painted my house a few times since getting the crabs. I seal up their tank with press and seal before painting, and then open it again the following day. Lots of airflow through the house in the meantime to dissipate the smell. The newer low and no VOC paints are pretty safe though. Never had a problem.

Thank you! The room was aired out overnight. (2 windows + a door.) Though, now I am brought with something else. My aunt and nanny had to dig the hermit up to move the tank, and I believe Dwebble might've been under a second molt. He is unusually pink now(BP is purple but the edges are light pink) , and was down for a while. I know he needs a dark place, but I need to keep him in the main tank (29 gal.) I will be supplying some crab exo I have in the freezer for him to snack on.

I dunno if he had an actual exo as my aunt and Nanny dug them all up while I was at school and placed them in a kritterkeeper as an Iso (mainly because i texted them what I wanted them to do before moving the tank. Gotta look out for my crabby children lol.) Any help would be appreciated!

I would keep this crab separate until his exo is hardened. Hopefully you are able to give the crab his own exo to eat.

GotButterflies wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 24, 2019 9:29 am

I would keep this crab separate until his exo is hardened. Hopefully you are able to give the crab his own exo to eat.

I dont have his exo, but I do have grinded up crab exo from the crab legs you can buy to eat. He is also isolated into a kritter keeper in the main tank for the time being. Is there any signs I should watch for that shows he is ready to be reintroduced into the tank?

IsolatedShadow wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 24, 2019 1:08 pm

I dont have his exo, but I do have grinded up crab exo from the crab legs you can buy to eat. He is also isolated into a kritter keeper in the main tank for the time being. Is there any signs I should watch for that shows he is ready to be reintroduced into the tank?

Okay. I would offer him more than just that then. (Other things are cuttlebone, eggshell, oystershell, coral)

It is easier to tell when they have their own exo to finish. You can offer him regular things to eat, but most importantly, provide calcium and protein. When he is very active, you can dip him in the freshwater of the tank and put him back. Don't rush it though. It is better to be safe than sorry.

GotButterflies wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 24, 2019 7:31 pm

Okay. I would offer him more than just that then. (Other things are cuttlebone, eggshell, oystershell, coral)

It is easier to tell when they have their own exo to finish. You can offer him regular things to eat, but most importantly, provide calcium and protein. When he is very active, you can dip him in the freshwater of the tank and put him back. Don't rush it though. It is better to be safe than sorry.

I got cuttlebone I can offer too. I'll put some of that in the ISO and get some egg shells whenever possible lol. I'll soon be smashing up some shells they cant wear. Can/ should I offer that as well? Also, where can I get oyster shell? I heard of it being in pet stores for birds. Would I find them at petsmart or petco?