Changing Substrate

MaryJane · Post by **MaryJane** » Fri Oct 23, 2020 8:57 pm

On June 1st I got a few hermit crabs so the hermit crab I had would have some friends. As it’s almost been 6 months, I need to change the substrate and give the tank a good clean. However, only 2 of my hermit crabs are surfaced and occasionally I see a 3rd but the 3rd mostly hides. The rest dug/hid as soon as I put them in the tank on June 1st and I haven’t seen them since then. How do I change the substrate without knowing where everyone is? Is it okay to dig for them so I can clean out the tank?

CrabbyLover77 · Post by **CrabbyLover77** » Fri Oct 23, 2020 9:33 pm

MaryJane wrote:On June 1st I got a few hermit crabs so the hermit crab I had would have some friends. As it’s almost been 6 months, I need to change the substrate and give the tank a good clean. However, only 2 of my hermit crabs are surfaced and occasionally I see a 3rd but the 3rd mostly hides. The rest dug/hid as soon as I put them in the tank on June 1st and I haven’t seen them since then. How do I change the substrate without knowing where everyone is? Is it okay to dig for them so I can clean out the tank?

Hi there!

You should never dig for a buried crab unless there is an emergency, like a flood or bacterial bloom. The stress from it could injure or kill them.

You don't have to change the substrate unless there is something wrong, like mentioned a above (flood or bacterial bloom). If your substrate begins to settle, you can add more on top. If a crab is under, you can add 1" every 24 hrs, just don't pack it down or move decorations that could cause a tunnel collapse.

Here is the basic care sheet. It has a lot of good info in there. Happy crabbing!

viewtopic.php?f=120&t=119273&sid=f3a8b8 ... fd5465bb70

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MaryJane · Post by **MaryJane** » Sat Oct 24, 2020 9:29 am

I have seen little bugs in the tank, I had house plant bugs so I think that’s where they’re from. Should I be concerned about the bugs?

Pumpkincrab · Post by **Pumpkincrab** » Sat Oct 24, 2020 9:45 am

How many bugs? Bugs are not good. They are harmful actually. How many bugs? What size? Are they in the substrate? (Living in it?)

CrabbyLover77 · Post by **CrabbyLover77** » Sat Oct 24, 2020 10:36 am

MaryJane wrote:I have seen little bugs in the tank, I had house plant bugs so I think that’s where they’re from. Should I be concerned about the bugs?

They may be food mites, which are harmless. They like the warmth, humidity, and food the crabitat provides. I have them in my tank. As long as their population isn't out of control, I just let them do their thing and clean up after the crabs.
Most bugs aren't harmful, just annoying. Here's the page on insects and mites for you to check out:

viewtopic.php?f=124&t=92537

viewtopic.php?f=124&t=92530

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Post by **JoeHermits** » Sat Oct 24, 2020 10:50 am

Pumpkincrab wrote:How many bugs? Bugs are not good. They are harmful actually. How many bugs? What size? Are they in the substrate? (Living in it?)

Most insects and other invertebrates are relatively harmless, especially if they’re suspected to have come off a plant.

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Pumpkincrab · Post by **Pumpkincrab** » Sat Oct 24, 2020 10:58 am

That's very true. Most likely the harmless ones but it's always good to be sure.

HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Changing Substrate

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