New to hermit crabs and to the site!

[Ryry]

So here is a little information about me- and then I do have some questions I'm hoping people can help me with!

I'm 26 living at home saving up to buy my own house next year. My mom was givent two hermit crabs by my aunt a few months ago.she was going back to her other home and couldn't take them with her so my mom sort of agreed to look after them. Poor little guys were being kept in a wire basket ;(

My mom put in a little effort and grabbed an old tank we had and threw in some sand and water dished and called it a day. After one little crab died I knew I had to intervene.

I have been doing all sorts of reaserch but I seem to be doing things wrong! After spending loads of money I now have:
4 crabs- most I think are pps
A great amount of eco earth substrate, and a sand corner- later found out that I used the worst sand. (Reptile sand with calcium) it sounded like a great idea because it's supposed to help reflect heat... Ugh now I need to get the right sand and try to do a switch. However I'm terrified because 3/4 of my crabs are de stressing or molting.

I also thought I'd get some wood for them to climb and play with and everything was going great until mold started forming where wood touched substrate... Ughhh... So I lightly started to pick up the wood because I wanted to take it out and boil it or something (suggestions for sterilization please) and I noticed one of my little guys was buried underneath right next to it. So I carefully put it back. So I have been spot cleaning and trying not to get the wood too wet. This is making it hard for me to keep humidity up. I have been spraying a spray bottle of fresh water and I think I should b doing a mix or mostly salt water spray? Ugh my bad again (I need to find out where to buy salt and mix my own salt water or something, I have been buying little bottles of it and that's just silly) I would also like to add a little bubbler bath for my guys- tho they are all hiding on me now :/

I'm trying to figure out what to do for a humidifier and more heat. I live in CT and the weather has dropped quick and the one little UTH thats on the side isn't doing enough.

Recap haha
Any suggestions for heating and humidifying fixtures (I dont have a ton of money but I'd like to get something that will really do the job right) I kinda like the looks of the fogged thing but idk what's right any more! And I really don't want to do things wrong again!

And the best way to get rid of mold and sterilize wood! I was wondering if I could use vinegar to help. Would I do that before or after or instead of boiling?

A friend of mine used to have hermies and said he might b able to give me a bunch of stuff. I should know tonight what goodies are there.

I will upload some pictures later when I get home from work (haha)
I'm just really trying to do right by these little guys since they are pretty much mine now. I appreciate any and all feedback you want to throw my way!!!

Rianne * a terrified new crab owner

[moonshermies]

hi Riann.1st things first calm dwn its going too be okay..
4-6 inches of ecoearth mixed with play sand should be used as substrate (ratio of 5:1)& thats for small 2 medium PPs..for heat people used a variety of items such as ultratherm heaters& or heating lamps.Someone can give more info on those,what size tank do you have? I only used a 4 watt crabs mat insulated on the back of my tank (10 g) For humidity people set up mosspits in corners in there tanks, they are wonderful...For the wood , when you can digg it out soak, scrub & boiled this items in salt water should help fix mold issue (did with mine) do you have both fresh water & salt water for the crabs to?You are spraying the tank right? used fresh water only , cuz the salt deposits can build up over time & harm (burn) them as well as urself. buying the salt: I use Instant ocean marine salt 1/2 cup per gallon of water..My lil tank stays &77.5 deg f with a humidity of 87% rh..I have 2 moss pits,& the lil 4 watt hermit crab heating mat

Sent from HTC EVO, using Tapatalk 2

[Ryry]

Thank you for the quick reply!
I'm not sure what size my tank is- I will figure it all out when I get home. But I have 4 crabs and my substrate is 3-4 times my biggest crab in depth. I need to get the right play sand to mix into the substrate. Should I be trying to get rid of the other sand slowly?

I do want to get a bigger tank (haha already Im addicted) but I can't move them right now because 3/4 of my crabs are underground. Which is also why I'm afraid to try and switch out substrate.

Should I wait to move the wood until my crabs start coming up?
Against I appreciate the help ^_^

[Ryry]

Oh and yes I do have water in there for them- both fresh and salt water. Though ultimately I would like to put a little play pool in there as well.

[moonshermies]

there are threads under crabitat conditions that can give help give you ideal conditions u are seeking , with heating & humidity advice ..I do not know how to post links but its worth looking over

Sent from HTC EVO, using Tapatalk 2

[moonshermies]

I do not suggest moving anything while the crabs are down, molting or distressing , butafter they reappear, yes you can, redo sub & wrk on cleaning up the wood!!
srry for all the edits here, trying to feed baby & get dinner for rest of crew..You are so very welcome & I hope advice helps..any other questions or concerns?
Sent from HTC EVO, using Tapatalk 2

[Ryry]

Right now I guess I'm just looking for the best places to buy heating and humidifing products. I need to get their climate more stable.
I really want to do right by these little guys and I love designing their crabitat.

I'm sure they are all trying to de-stress and or molt, and I know this is normal but I am very worried.
If I bring the humidity up and mold starts going crazy any ideas on what I should do?

Thanks again

[moonshermies]

I have a nice wood reptile hidey in my tat & a Hermie down for a molt..When I see surprise mold appear I just spot clean the affected area..what I mean by this is a light surface wipe down of the wood (not moving it too much)& lightly scraping the sub top..I dont get alot of mold , maybe this should help..it is suggested on other threads that when mixing the cocofiber(expanding it) let it soak in some salt water..this is suppose to help keep mold down..I havent tried this yet,& will in the near future..how are you & the lil guys this morning? please keep us posted..

Sent from HTC EVO, using Tapatalk 2

[YYWW]

The mold doesn't harm your crabs. It is an eyesore and might bother you, but mold will go away on its own. If it is just where the wood touches the substrate you can try spot-spraying with SW but take it easy. High salt content can burn your crabs, concerning especially the ones you have buried by the wood.
Your UTH, how big is it, and how big is your tank? You can try insulating with the shiny side of aluminum to try to trap more heat. You can also use styrofoam or cardboard. If you buy a new UTH just try to cover all the space on the back of your tank above the line of substrate.
What type of lid does your enclosure use? If your lid is mesh you can cover 80% of it to maintain humidity immediately. Make sure you calibrate your humidifier as even a -10% difference can be harmful to crabs. If the reading can't be adjusted, at least you know how far off your guage is.
A bubbler will help with humidity. I use a DIY one. Just pick up a cheap, possibly used, air pump (i have the whisper 10) and put an airhose and airstone on it. The pump pumps air through the hose and the stone, when submerged in your pool, will bubble with earnest! I use valves to split this into 2 sets of stones so i can bubble both pools.
For your pools you can use plastic things from your recycling bin. Yogurt cups or tupperware are great, just make sure you leak proof them. Your crabs will like to submerge in the pools, so be sure the water is plenty deep with good access in and out of the pools.
How much calcium sand is in your tank? Remove as much as you safely can, and continue doing so until you get rid of, hopefully, all of it. Hopefully your crabs aren't in it. If the are, go around them and hope they move
You can try a moss pit to boost humidity, but also to lure crabs to a safe place so you can clean/adjust more. Crabs love burrowing in it and it will be easier to clean knowing where they are.
You should be spraying with FW, but when you premix your sub SW may be used as a one time deal, to help combat mold in your substrate. You can soak all your wood and decorations in SW before adding to the tank, but i have still gotten mold after doing so. One or two tiny spritzes of SW directly on developing mold has helped me tame mold, but be very careful not to overdo as it is impossible to tell if salt becomes a dangerous level. Ultimately mold will bloom and then naturally die off as it eats through whatever it is so don't be toooo worried about killing it off.
Welcome to the HCA! The members here are the best Hope you get all the helpful info you need!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[moonshermies]

Thank you YYWW, I dnt know that mold was harmless to the crabs,& to the other useful infomation you stated..

Sent from HTC EVO, using Tapatalk 2

[Ryry]

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

[Ryry]

Oh about the humidity/ temp gauge. I'm not sure how to calibrate- and it probably is off because it's a stupid petco thing my mom bought...

[moonshermies]

I believe it was wodesorel who wrote a threads on calibrating a hygrometer..if I remember correctly
1..you will need a teaspoon of table salt..
2..something to hold #1 in, such as a bottlecap..
3 a ziplock baggie big enufff to hold the hygrometer & cap of salt..
You will put the teaspoon of salt in bottlecap, dampin salt with only a few drops of water (2-3 drops)..Place hygrometer,& bottlecap of salt into ziplock bag (not spilling any of it)& seal completely, for about 4-5 hrs..
It takes 4-5 hrs for dampen salt to stabilize.the hygrometer should read 75%..see what ur hygrometer reads..if its off in any way you should be able to adjust it with a screw located in back of it..(in middle) if I remember correctly the thread read to turn screw clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust..( I hafta go back find & re read this part).. sorry
I have a cheap digital one I couldnt figure out the adjusting part so I just keep a diary with the difference until I can get another one..

Sent from HTC EVO, using Tapatalk 2

[Ryry]

I am attempting to upload a photo. This is when I first started to put all my goodies in the tank. My mom told me that it looks fine but I added in a few more inches of substrate. She likes to tell me how I'm supposed to care for these guys but she knows nothing about them... It's frustrating to have to explain myself and then have her tell me I'm going over the top




Let's hope the picture worked!

[YYWW]

I am attempting to upload a photo. This is when I first started to put all my goodies in the tank. My mom told me that it looks fine but I added in a few more inches of substrate. She likes to tell me how I'm supposed to care for these guys but she knows nothing about them... It's frustrating to have to explain myself and then have her tell me I'm going over the top




Let's hope the picture worked!

Your calci sand actually looks so shallow that i dont think a crab could bury there. You will def be able to slowly sift through and remove any uninhabited parts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk