Boiled shells and did a full surface cleaning.

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Sun Dec 22, 2013 1:32 am

Every four months I do a semiannual full surface cleaning where I take everything out, clean the decor, boil the extra shells and sift the top layer of substrate to get all the visible noodles on the surface.This whole process usual takes about an hour from start to finish as I have over thirty spare shells that have to be carefully removed from the enclosure, checked for occupants and then boiled to sterilize them for further use as they tend to be used as house keeping spots for my hermitcrabs which typically means a lot of noodles end up in the them over the weeks. I also like to take this time to re-arrange/re-stack the decor and level out the substrate this is done to renew interest in the climbing structures, shells and to stimulate activity in the crabs as hermitcrabs are said to need constant stimulation and looking at the same thing for months on end tends to be monotonous and boring which cause a lull in activity.After everything was said and done all of the crabs who were up on the surface ended up exploring for hours and the two topside e's changed shells and then promptly engaged in a rousing session of leg flaring and bumping just to re-establish dominance and it was hilarious to watch as they would not actually attack each other rather settling for a visual display, I just wish I'd had my camera handy the video would have mad ya laugh.lol

Laurie LeAnn · Post by **Laurie LeAnn** » Sun Dec 22, 2013 1:46 pm

Yes, you get a crab house cleaning and they get all happy and want to check it out.

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Tue Dec 24, 2013 6:52 am

@Laurie, I'm hoping to get enough money for Christmas that I can go and replenish my supplies and get some things to go in the enclosure.lolYeah I have noticed even minor changes to the decor tend to boost activity levels for a few days.

Kryorke · Post by **Kryorke** » Sat Dec 28, 2013 11:01 pm

Yesterday I set up a new tank and integrated my PP's and New Eccies who were in ISO. They seem to be kind of......fighting/wrestling. It's PP's against Eccies. Is this normal? Do they just have to get used to eachother? Thanks!

Hermitcrabgirl · Post by **Hermitcrabgirl** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 6:59 am

Thats great that you take the time to clean your crabitat so well. I do the same thing, sterilizing EVERYTHING. But not everybody does that sadly.