Number of Crabs Opinions??

[mariilene]

I have no expertise in the E crabbie department but I think a couple of teeny Es would be good in a tank like that since they like to dig, dig, dig. Once they get bigger like 2.5" shells then I'd upgrade but with the growth rate of PPs I think that's a few years off. My teenie PP turned into a medium in a year and won't go large for a few more. Some people think bigger is better and others just can't afford it and your case you just can't fit it. Since crabbies need friends I say you should get another small/teeny E just because Es are known to bully PPs and are more aggressive.
EDIT: can you show us a picture of your crab in your hand to see the size so we can give more accurate advice?


Hermie mommy of 10 PP babies: Octavius Flemming, Poseidon, Bruiser, Junior, Matty Pumpkin, Turbo, Kaylee Frye, Pepper, Flower and Adrian Shephard.

I'm going to go with a small and micro for now. The E is molting and I never got a photo of her in my hand for the few days I had her before she went down, and I haven't picked up the micro from the store yet. My roommates keep the house too cold in the winter so I can't stabilize the temp. without the larger UTH on the old tank the small is in.

Thanks Callalily! I plan to be moved by this summer and be able of comfortably upgrading then!

[Nutcracker]

Here's a good guide to help you decide for yourself: viewtopic.php?t=93830

CallaLily, would it be possible to repost the topic above? The page says the topic is no longer available. Also, when we're talking about "small," is there a legend of different PP sizes to refer to?

:?: Looking for advice on getting more crabs as companions for our two (because they like communities): I have just a 5-gal tank, with room for 6 in substrate, 2 large water clam shells, small food clam shells, and sticks and climbing toys. Our 2 PPs seem pretty comfortable, and both are in newly adopted turbo shells of 3/4 inch across the opening (interior measure); the entire turbo shell is almost 1.5 inches across the back.

[wodesorel]

CallaLily, would it be possible to repost the topic above? The page says the topic is no longer available. Also, when we're talking about "small," is there a legend of different PP sizes to refer to?

I'm pretty sure she was linking to this one: viewtopic.php?f=26&t=92541

I'm not sure where that error came from, since the topic hasn't been moved or deleted. I'll look into it and see if I can figure out what happened to bork up the link.

[CallaLily]

I'm pretty sure she was linking to this one: viewtopic.php?f=26&t=92541

I'm not sure where that error came from, since the topic hasn't been moved or deleted. I'll look into it and see if I can figure out what happened to bork up the link.

Yes, that's the one. Thank you. The link still works for me. Maybe because I linked using Tapatalk? I usually link through the site. Weird.

[kornchaser]

My roommates keep the house too cold in the winter so I can't stabilize the temp. without the larger UTH on the old tank the small is in.

Thanks Callalily! I plan to be moved by this summer and be able of comfortably upgrading then!

I've been told that others do it differently but here's what I do. I have EE in my tank, not mixed with sand, and I add about 2-3 cups of extra water (to my 20g with 5" of sub) til it's like sandcastle consistent mud and have a large UTH under my tank just for humidity. It hasn't dried out in 6 months. But my 10g by the heater with EE mixed w sand dried out within a month. And my 20g was fine with about 72° F but my crabbies were sluggish so I added a UTH to the side and it raised the temp 6°. Small I know but helpful. Anyways what I'm trying to say is that sand dries out with a heater on bottom and soaks up all the heat with even a heater below the sand line a little and can become a fire hazard. Causing you to need more UTH on the side and insulation WHILE trying to keep it from drying out so the hermits tunnels don't collapse on them AND keep the humidity up. It costs more money. If you haven't tried EE, I would if I were you. My heat is fine and humidity. Only spending $30 or so online for ultra therms and like $5 for 3 bricks of EE. I personally didn't buy ultra therms when setting up my tank because I didn't know they existed but they run hotter and are cheaper.


Hermie mommy of 10 PP babies: Octavius Flemming, Poseidon, Bruiser, Junior, Matty Pumpkin, Turbo, Kaylee Frye, Pepper, Flower and Adrian Shephard.

[aussieJJDude]

Kornchaser, the only thing I worry about that method is that the UTH is under the tank! I - among many - have heard of the horror stories when a crab digs down near a UTH on the bottom of the tank where it basically cooked & melted the crab. Adding "fuel to the fire", you have 100% EE. EE is really good in retainings heat, making the chances of an unfortunate event to happen.
I really suggest you move the UTH onto the side of the tank, above the substrate line. Like you may of noticed, hermit crabs need warm air, not warm substrate. Anyway, if you have warm air the substrate will remain the same temperature.
Did I also mention that crabs need substrate to regulate themselves? If they get a bit warm, they will bury into the sand/EE to "cool" off. By you providing a UTH underneath, I personally believe they have no suitable area to "cool off".

[mariilene]

I've been told that others do it differently but here's what I do. I have EE in my tank, not mixed with sand, and I add about 2-3 cups of extra water (to my 20g with 5" of sub) til it's like sandcastle consistent mud and have a large UTH under my tank just for humidity. It hasn't dried out in 6 months. But my 10g by the heater with EE mixed w sand dried out within a month. And my 20g was fine with about 72° F but my crabbies were sluggish so I added a UTH to the side and it raised the temp 6°. Small I know but helpful. Anyways what I'm trying to say is that sand dries out with a heater on bottom and soaks up all the heat with even a heater below the sand line a little and can become a fire hazard. Causing you to need more UTH on the side and insulation WHILE trying to keep it from drying out so the hermits tunnels don't collapse on them AND keep the humidity up. It costs more money. If you haven't tried EE, I would if I were you. My heat is fine and humidity. Only spending $30 or so online for ultra therms and like $5 for 3 bricks of EE. I personally didn't buy ultra therms when setting up my tank because I didn't know they existed but they run hotter and are cheaper.


Hermie mommy of 10 PP babies: Octavius Flemming, Poseidon, Bruiser, Junior, Matty Pumpkin, Turbo, Kaylee Frye, Pepper, Flower and Adrian Shephard.

I appreciate the advice. You can find my setup and my comments on it here: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 8&t=102137

I have a very high ratio EE-to-sand mix and the ultratherm is my usual UTH, however it's occupied by the molting small E as I mentioned, so I'm currently using two small Zoo Meds I scrounged up and a night time heat light. Without the light, the temp drops below 70, with it it won't go below 94, so I'm just going to wait for Gurdy to finish her business and then work it out with just the UTH's and lose the heat light, and not get the second crab until then. Thanks for the input!

[wodesorel]

Without the light, the temp drops below 70, with it it won't go below 94,

If you can swing it, look into getting a plug-in lamp dimmer from the hardware store. They're generally between $10 and $12, and with it you can adjust the amount of heat the light is putting out, letting you find the happy medium you're after.

[mariilene]

If you can swing it, look into getting a plug-in lamp dimmer from the hardware store. They're generally between $10 and $12, and with it you can adjust the amount of heat the light is putting out, letting you find the happy medium you're after.

Thanks Wode! I have one on Gurdy and just don't want to buy another one when I won't actually need it after this - I don't really have the storage space for anything extra and unncessary. I'm probably just being stingy, haha. I'm sure I'll break down and get another one if my current test fails... I've rearranged UTHs and the light on the 25G hoping I can find a balance. :roll:

EDIT: I read that entirely wrong, Wode! Thought you said a dimmer lamp, haha! I will definitely look into the lamp dimmer! Man, word order is everything...

[mariilene]

On the off chance that anyone is still watching this, I am looking for a home for Gurdy. She's clearly bored and I've learned my lessons. Thanks for the thoughts, everyone! (: I've posted a reply in the adoptions thread and feel free to PM me! I'm in Austin, TX and willing to travel about an hour in any direction, but as far as SA south! If I still have her when it warms up, I have no problem shipping, but that's a ways off. Please let me know if you or anyone you know may want her! I also make the occasional trip to Bellville closer to Houston to see my mother, so places in that direction aren't out of the question!

Once she finds a home I'll be looking for 2-3 teeny/small PPs. (: