New to hermit crabs and to the site!

[Ryry]

I actually added a lot more sand and substrate after this picture was taken. I'll get a more current one when I get home. I don't think the crabs are in the sand... I'm pretty sure they are all hiding under the wood area or the plant in the right corner. Im going to boil the top piece of wood in salt water tonight and I'll wait to do the base one. Im going to get an additional spray bottle for a salt water spray to treat the wood and bad spots. Im going to try very hard not to use a lot! It looks like my two bigger crabs are up but are hiding in the corner where the UTH is :/ so it's my mission to get another uth and a real heat lamp- and a blue one for nighttime.
What's a normal molt time for small crabs? Wonder just how long they might b down there...

[YYWW]

Thank you all for the support. The whole mold thing really scared me to death. I thought I read somewhere that it can be harmful to crabs so naturally I was super upset.
Tonight I'm going to try and get some things for my crabbies.
I think I only have a 20gal tank... It's length is 30" height 12" and depth is 12"

I might be able to upgrade to a bigger tank soon but I think I have to talk my mom into it. I want to order a really good UTH any suggestions of brands or websites? I'll poke around on here to and see what I can find.

I don't have a lid (it's on my list haha) but I'm using press and seal wrap to help hold in humidity haha. And suggestion of where to buy or how to make a lid will be welcome. It's so crazy to me I feel like all I have been doing is reading about these little crabs and I learn more stuff every day.
If any one has suggestions on where to go to buy salt and sand and what not that would be awesome too. We have petco.... and maybe a few fish stores around. I really want to get good stuff for my little crabbies.

I have no idea how to upload a picture hahaha

The mold thing scared me, too! I saw my crab pinch a piece of moldy mopani and eat it! Wodesorel rescued my wits and gave me a good education. So thankful for her expertise!!!!!!
I use an Ultratherm UTH ordered from Beanfarm. There's a different reptile/lizard site that sells Ultratherms as well, in order to get the ideal size. My Ultratherm covers the entire back wall of my tank above the line of substrate, it's 48x11. I use double sided tape to stick it to my tank, i think using a bunch of pcs of tape hokd it tighter to my tank than just taping around the edges. Heat is never an issue in my tank. I will get a dimmer because the wall furthest away from the UTH is at 79 and the nearest is 87, i think a bit too warm. The crabs are all over the tank, so i assume that they are comfortable so far.
I'm pleading the 5th on the lid situation hopefully you can cruise crabitat conditions and search "lid" and get some ideas, I don't want to steer you in my very expensive direction but let me know if you have questions after you get an idea of what you want
Playsand is bought at Home Sdepot or Lowes and costs $4-$8 per 50lbs. It's an awesome deal and great for crabs. Just remember to moisten it to sand castle consistency. I mix mine with EE to provide sonething to biodegrade poop/food bits. Also i use SW to moisten it (but only spray with FW) to help with mold.
I use Seachem Prime to dechlorinate and Instant Ocean sea salt for salt. I order both from Amazon because she's my best friend i get the smallest Seachem because you only need 2-4 drops per gallon.
Your tat looks nice, though! Just get it to 6inches of sub at a minimum and you will be in business!


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[Ryry]

The mold thing scared me, too! I saw my crab pinch a piece of moldy mopani and eat it! Wodesorel rescued my wits and gave me a good education. So thankful for her expertise!!!!!!
I use an Ultratherm UTH ordered from Beanfarm. There's a different reptile/lizard site that sells Ultratherms as well, in order to get the ideal size. My Ultratherm covers the entire back wall of my tank above the line of substrate, it's 48x11. I use double sided tape to stick it to my tank, i think using a bunch of pcs of tape hokd it tighter to my tank than just taping around the edges. Heat is never an issue in my tank. I will get a dimmer because the wall furthest away from the UTH is at 79 and the nearest is 87, i think a bit too warm. The crabs are all over the tank, so i assume that they are comfortable so far.
I'm pleading the 5th on the lid situation hopefully you can cruise crabitat conditions and search "lid" and get some ideas, I don't want to steer you in my very expensive direction but let me know if you have questions after you get an idea of what you want
Playsand is bought at Home Sdepot or Lowes and costs $4-$8 per 50lbs. It's an awesome deal and great for crabs. Just remember to moisten it to sand castle consistency. I mix mine with EE to provide sonething to biodegrade poop/food bits. Also i use SW to moisten it (but only spray with FW) to help with mold.
I use Seachem Prime to dechlorinate and Instant Ocean sea salt for salt. I order both from Amazon because she's my best friend i get the smallest Seachem because you only need 2-4 drops per gallon.
Your tat looks nice, though! Just get it to 6inches of sub at a minimum and you will be in business!


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I have some good news. I have ordered a UTH (I ended up getting one from the bean farm good prices and sizes) I splurged and bought the 11x48" pad because I will be upgrading to a bigger tank!
The tank is around a 58 gal and will not only be longer than my current tank but almost twice as high! Now I can do the second level Iv dreamed about!
I also went on Amazon and bought my salt and stuff to make bubbler pools- now I have the space!

I'm going to want to switch everything asap but I have the two little guys still hidden somewhere and I know not to disturb them- but if I wait until they come up I risk the chance of some one going down....
Also a friend is giving me a reptile heat lamp free!

Feeling excited! And broke!