Did you notice any adjustments I might need to make? I looked through the sheets and a lot of other websites but I'm still a bit worried I may have messed something up lolcrabbycasey wrote: ↑Fri Dec 11, 2020 6:30 pmHey there little guy!
Welcome to the HCA! Your tank looks good, but I would recommend taking a look through the care sheets on this forum for some possible needed adjustments. I only mention it so your new little one gets everything they need! I was so thankful for those sheets when I first started, lol...this is where I learned everything. Ask any questions, the experts here are great!
So many cool crab names, wouldn’t even know where to begin, haha. My 5 are Hermione, Flash, Turbo, Sandy & Gary...
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Hi! Welcome to HCA!
1. How deep is your substrate? About 5 inches? Maybe 6? My crab is pretty small though.HappyHermit0916 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 11, 2020 9:38 pmHi! Welcome to HCA!
First, I have a couple of questions for you:
1. How deep is your substrate?
2. What kind of substrate are you using?
3. What size is your tank?
4. Do you have a heat source?
5. What type of lid are you using?
6. Do you have something to monitor your heat and humidity?
7. What tap water treatment are you using?
8. What salt are you using for the water?
Here are my recommendations:
-use a 5:1 ratio of playsand and eco earth
-larger water dishes (big enough for crabs to fully submerge)
-take out the sponges
-I would definitely recommend reading through the different topics on this forum
If you have any further questions feel free to let me know
I read through a few topics in the care guides I had questions about and definitely learned about substrate, lids, and moss and I'll hopefully be able to find something very solid with a nice little hole (but online suggestions for where to buy something like that would still be great).
I would suggest a glass aquarium lid! You can find these in the fish section of the pet store or online:)itsjoel wrote: ↑Fri Dec 11, 2020 11:13 pmI'm going ahead and figuring out new dishes and ditching the sponges btw
It needs to be very strong since I have four cats inside and nothing can be kept out of reach of them, especially my one baby who is completely fascinated by my little crab and every single noise he makes. Its really adorable, because when he makes a lot of noise, she'll stand up tall on her back legs to watch him or put her front paws on that shelf and chirp at anyone who comes in the room. I don't think she'd try to jump in or that she even could with the angle it's at, but I'm still worried. I have the shelf pretty well stocked with things for my little friend so that jump would be very awkward. Even if she did, she's so gentle I doubt she'd hurt him. I'm more worried about having a thin plastic or glass lid that could shatter and either squish my crab or cut my cat if she decided to get adventurous and figure out how to get in there. I'd put the tank up higher, but I worry about the shelf it's on getting too top heavy and falling over if she or my other heavier boy decided to jump up and check out what was going on. I don't have any concern of the shelf breaking, it's a heavy utility shelf from Ikea like the ones you'd put in your garage and put tools on, so it's meant to handle a lot of weight.
I should boil bottled water before I give it to my crab, right? I read something about that too, but I also read that bottled water isn't chlorinated somewhere else so I had assumed it was fine. I guess it probably depends on the brand, right?
itsjoel wrote: ↑Fri Dec 11, 2020 9:48 pm
1. How deep is your substrate? About 5 inches? Maybe 6? My crab is pretty small though.
2. What kind of substrate are you using? Play sandI would recommend a 5:1 ratio of playsand to eco earth
3. What size is your tank? 10 gallons
4. Do you have a heat source? Right now I have a heat lamp, but I'm getting one of the heating pads soon to put on the side.
5. What type of lid are you using? Right now I just have a thick towel over the top, but I'll be getting a nice acrylic or glass one soon, like next few days. Do you have any suggestions?
6. Do you have something to monitor your heat and humidity? I use one of the little temperature strips for temperature. I'll also be getting a humidity gauge soon.I recommend the acurite digital thermometer and hydrometer
7. What tap water treatment are you using? My tap water isn't safe to drink so I just use bottled water
8. What salt are you using for the water? Right now I'm just using the salt mix that they sold at the gift shop I got him at. Again, do you have any suggestions or are all the ones from pet stores like Petco about the same? I would recommend "instant ocean" a marine salt for aquariums
What's the problem with sponges? I assume something with mold? yeah, sponges are not the best :/I was just worried about my little guy falling off the climbing branch.
Oh! I should add that I've been looking for some new good water dishes. My guy's a little stupid and gets stuck in things really easily. I'm wondering if I could use a small bowl and build him a little ladder? I think that could work and be really cute.In my crabitat I DIYed some water dishes out of tupperware and plastic craft mesh:) the Hermit crab youtuber Hermits, Hounds, and Horses has a great vid on how to make them! I would also recommend more things for your crabby to climb on!:) Also a friend for him/her would be awesome:)
I looked all around in my local pet store and really couldn’t find any lids anywhere. I’ll definitely try another one! And he’ll definitely be getting a friend in the next few days. There’s no chance of me ending up with a bunch of baby hermit crabs if I were to get a female right? From my best sexing, I’ve got a little guy.HappyHermit0916 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 12, 2020 7:10 amI would suggest a glass aquarium lid! You can find these in the fish section of the pet store or online:)
Hmmm, I'm not really sure about the bottled water but I would recommend Prime dechlorinator (it is for fish) for it just to be on the safe side!
It's highly unlikely that you would end up with baby crabs because they really only breed in the best of the best tanks, from what I understand so I don't really think you would:)itsjoel wrote: ↑Sat Dec 12, 2020 7:52 amI looked all around in my local pet store and really couldn’t find any lids anywhere. I’ll definitely try another one! And he’ll definitely be getting a friend in the next few days. There’s no chance of me ending up with a bunch of baby hermit crabs if I were to get a female right? From my best sexing, I’ve got a little guy.
itsjoel wrote:
1. How deep is your substrate? About 5 inches? Maybe 6? My crab is pretty small though.
CL77- 6" is good. Sub should be at least 6" or 3x the height of your biggest crab, whichever is deeper.
2. What kind of substrate are you using? Play sand
CL77- I was looking at your pics and your sand looks dry on top. Is it moistened to sand castle consistency with dechlor fresh or marine salt water? It needs to be able to hold its shape when the crabs dig their tunnels.
3. What size is your tank? 10 gallons
4. Do you have a heat source? Right now I have a heat lamp, but I'm getting one of the heating pads soon to put on the side.
CL77- If you don't have a humidity gauge, be careful. Heat lamps can zap humidity.
5. What type of lid are you using? Right now I just have a thick towel over the top, but I'll be getting a nice acrylic or glass one soon, like next few days. Do you have any suggestions?
CL77- I would try to get a top asap. Crabs are good escape artists, and a towel likely won't be able to keep them from getting out. I used glass tops for both my 20 gal L and 55 gal. I got my 20 gal top online from Petco, and my 55gal top online from That Pet Place. Glass tops are great at keeping humidity in too.
6. Do you have something to monitor your heat and humidity? I use one of the little temperature strips for temperature. I'll also be getting a humidity gauge soon.
CL77- I'd recommend getting a digital hygrometer asap, which tells the humidity and usually the temp. Knowing the humidity is extremely important. Crabs have modified gills and need moisture in the air to breath. You can find them on Amazon if you don't want to look in the stores.
7. What tap water treatment are you using? My tap water isn't safe to drink so I just use bottled water
CL77- You should still treat your bottled water with a dechlorinator/heavy metal detoxifier. Seachem Prime is great for that.
8. What salt are you using for the water? Right now I'm just using the salt mix that they sold at the gift shop I got him at. Again, do you have any suggestions or are all the ones from pet stores like Petco about the same?
CL77- Unfortunately, many products marketed for hermits aren't safe or effective. The same is usually true for the bottled salt water. For salt water, it's fine to use tap water with a dechlorinator like Prime. But you'll need to mix it with a marine salt, like Instant Ocean. You can find it online or usually cheaper at Petco/Petsmart.
What's the problem with sponges? I assume something with mold? I was just worried about my little guy falling off the climbing branch.
Oh! I should add that I've been looking for some new good water dishes. My guy's a little stupid and gets stuck in things really easily. I'm wondering if I could use a small bowl and build him a little ladder? I think that could work and be really cute.
CL77- Sponges harbor bacteria when wet. It's ok to leave them in the tank dry to munch on though.
Most of us use those reusable/throw away plastic containers for fresh and salt pools. You can add craft mesh or something else to aid them in climbing in and out. I'll see if I can find the link about these pools and post it for you.
I’d be amazed if my little guy could escape past the tall glass tank lol. I do keep the sand nice n moist, I just took that pic right after I set it up. Thanks though for the info!!CrabbyLover77 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 12, 2020 12:42 pmHi! I put some of my suggestions under your answers. Hope it helps!
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You're welcome!itsjoel wrote: I’d be amazed if my little guy could escape past the tall glass tank lol. I do keep the sand nice n moist, I just took that pic right after I set it up. Thanks though for the info!!
Yep!! I've gotten a glass lid, back of tank heater, more climbing and hiding spots, and one of the better hydrometer and thermometer combos!Pumpkincrab wrote: ↑Mon Dec 14, 2020 3:46 pmWelcome to the HCA! I have 5 crabs names Pine, Blackberry, Koda, Pumpkin and Mango! Your setup looks good for now but does need some improvement like the others said!
Yay! That's great! I'm really happy for you and your crab!
