This forum is where you discuss issues relating to molting hermit crabs, including pre- and post-molting issues. If you are having a molting emergency please post in the Emergency Forum.
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Isastfu
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by Isastfu » Fri Mar 23, 2018 3:27 pm
soilentgringa wrote:I noticed you said you don't measure the marine salt.
It is very important to make sure you are mixing it to the proper ratio because too much salt in the water can be harmful to them and even give them a chemical burn.
When the water and salt is mixed correctly the specific gravity and salinity are identical to sea water.
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I see.... I just make sure it tastes the same as always since he likes it like that? He usually sits in the salt water bowl so I'm assuming it's not burning him LOL. If there's a legitimate and proper ratio I'd like to know it from you, if you know it.
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StarGirlxo
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by StarGirlxo » Fri Mar 23, 2018 3:32 pm
soilentgringa wrote:StarGirlxo wrote:Isastfu wrote:So I took in a PP that belonged to a friend thst was kept in hideous conditions(tiny metal cage thing with no substrate).I named him Herm and he's a sweetheart. Herm started molting and about a week later he started moving around????He shed his exoskeleton and ate some of it but I didn't think the whole process would be done in a week and a half.I was expecting about a month or two months since he isn't tiny. He doesn't LOOK like he's finished since I feel like he's way too purple.Are hermit crabs capable of walking mid molt?I picked him up to take pictures so I'm inserting those.I would really like some help since I'm terribly confused lol

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Please Get him.out of that painted shell ..natural shells only. This is so bad for them
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OP has natural shell options in the tank, as stated in a previous comment.
Sometimes crabs take a while to ditch their painted shells.
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Oh ok good usually when offered natural they will change right away. I was just concerned for him
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wodesorel
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by wodesorel » Fri Mar 23, 2018 4:14 pm
From our guide on crabitat water:
All of the major salt brands are measured the same, depending on how much you need:
1 gallon of water to ½ cup of salt mix
½ gallon (which is 2 quarts) of water to ¼ cup salt mix
1 Pint (which is 2 cups) of water to 1 Tablespoon (which is 3 teaspoons) salt mix
1 cup of water to ½ Tablespoon (which is 1 and ½ teaspoon) of salt mix
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wodesorel
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by wodesorel » Fri Mar 23, 2018 4:16 pm
curlysister wrote:Wodesorel, where is the photo of your cobalt blue guy? I'd love to see it!
This is him. You can tell OPs crab was still fresh in the molting cycle by how matte the exo was. Once they are back to normal they will get glossy again. And then they usually start fading in a couple of weeks.

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curlysister
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by curlysister » Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:33 pm
OMG he is beautiful!!!
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soilentgringa
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by soilentgringa » Fri Mar 23, 2018 9:17 pm
Isastfu wrote:soilentgringa wrote:I noticed you said you don't measure the marine salt.
It is very important to make sure you are mixing it to the proper ratio because too much salt in the water can be harmful to them and even give them a chemical burn.
When the water and salt is mixed correctly the specific gravity and salinity are identical to sea water.
Sent from my LGMS550 using Tapatalk
I see.... I just make sure it tastes the same as always since he likes it like that? He usually sits in the salt water bowl so I'm assuming it's not burning him LOL. If there's a legitimate and proper ratio I'd like to know it from you, if you know it.
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It should be on your package of salt. I know the ratio for Instant Ocean but you definitely can't just judge by taste if it is accurate.
Each brand of marine salt mix has the instructions for mixing on the package. We have some popular brands listed in the Food and Water guide with the instructions as well.
You can also google your brand and look up the breakdown of salt mix to dechlorinated tap water.
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ROSIEonFIRE
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by ROSIEonFIRE » Thu Apr 26, 2018 5:37 pm
Really that color is stunning though. Maybe he will keep it! I know there's someone on here who basically has rainbow crabs, they are all pps but they're all like every color under the sun.
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Isastfu
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by Isastfu » Thu Apr 26, 2018 6:07 pm
So a week after I made this post herm started to molt again so I left him alone and checked on him today and he didn't make it. Herm is very much dead.
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wodesorel
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by wodesorel » Thu Apr 26, 2018 6:37 pm
Oh man, I am so sorry.

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ROSIEonFIRE
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by ROSIEonFIRE » Fri Apr 27, 2018 9:30 am
Sorry to hear that dude. You did your best for him
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Isastfu
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by Isastfu » Fri Apr 27, 2018 10:34 am
Thanks guys, appreciate it.
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