Forum: Land Hermit Crab Care

Cleo,

Welcome to the site.

I will try to help answer your questions. First - yes you can mix sand with EE.
Some people leave the sand dry, others wet it to sand castle consistency. When the hermies molt, they need to dig down and create an air pocket for themselves. Sand castle consistency will help them.

Yes, sometimes, at least in my tank, water does collect at the bottom of the tank. This happens when they dump their water bowls or when they dig right next to the water pools. The substrate is piled next to and in the water and the water wicks out. I use a baster (from my kitchen) to get that water out. This way I don't disturb those who have dug down.
Using a filter in the substrate would only get clogged and you risk the chance of the hermies finding it under there. You also create more work in pulling it out to clean it. Water at the bottom really doesn't happen often with me.

To help with the humidity you can use a bubbler - an air stone in one of their water pools. I have an adjuster on mine so I have raise the bubble intensity or lower it as needed. I also use moss on one of my levels and spray that to keep the humidity levels up.

You can use the lights on top of a glass/plexi glass lid. The light and warmth will penetrate through the glass.
What will you be using to warm a part of the substrate? I use a UTH (under tank heater) but placed on the side of the tank. This warms part of the substrate so they have a warm side and cool side.

Depending on where the crab is from will depend on where they actually molt. They do dig down to molt as it is safer for them since they are vulnerable at this stage. My guess would be that they find a place that is away from 'traffic' and activity.

Hermies eat just about anything you put in the tank - or try. Shrimp is good for them and so is sea sponge. They normally eat their own crab exo, but if you find a piece that is left from a molt, you can crush it and offer it in the food. Cuttlebone (from the bird section of your pet store) is also good. I crush it to a powder and sprinkle it over the fresh fruit. River shrimp, plankton, krill are also good.

Hi Whizkidsmom,

I love the stories about your hermit crabs! And thank you for such a warm welcome!

I still keep going back and forth about the undergravel filter, and (again, sorry) because I am so disturbed about lack of movement at the bottom of the tank. I an enclosed system sitting water is just worrisome. I imagine bad bacterial growths!

I could really use some help with this! I'm afraid this idea would be "dismissed" becuase I have not had hermit crabs before! I have read quite a few stories of bad molt due to diet, lack of deep substrate, and (possiblely) silica sand either scratching the soft exo of hermies (and allowing introduction of bad bacteria making them sick), or silica maybe not properly "holding" moisture, or ph? even. The silica stuff is just a guess. I'm sure it is found in the beach sand in the wild (open sytem), but I imagine it is mixed, plus other factors overide the "bad" of it.

You guys really saved my butt! I had gone to purchase "playsand" and all the bags were busted open, so I came home without. I jumped on here, and discovered a lively debate (with photos) of playsand. I felt a little "hermit with wings" looking out for me!

So here is the little I do know - and feel free to add your thoughts as to why or why not.

I have had reef tanks, and freshwater tanks, and the issue of "dead space" in a tank can really cause problems. If I were to allow the sand to become damp, as is critical for hermit crabs to make "cave" for molting, the simple fact of gravity would cause the lower few inches to become saturated. Since I only have 3 small guys - they could not possibly aerate the lower levels.

What if I were to put a good inch of coarse gravel, crushed coral, or large gravel (you get the picture) on top of the undergravel filter and THEN put a double layer of "gravel tidy" (I've heard it is used in marine tanks with sand)on top of that, then add oolitic sand? The idea here is hopefully the crabs cannot get past the tidy, and any excess water could drain to the bottom. The uplift tubes - with inline tube and working airstone - would create air movement at the bottom, and "pull" the excess humidity up, and into the sealed tank.

I imagine you would have to "add" water more often than not, but not to excess. I guess I would also have to check to lower subrate (sand) to make sure it had enough moisture.

Big hermit crabs would probably wreak havoc on the mesh (?) but I'm clueless as to that. Can you think of a barrier that is porous enough, but won't degrage over time that might work?

I really think this would be a much freindlier crabitat for the hermit crabs.

I know it is a cardinal sin to disturb a molter - so I could not manually "mix" the bottom to the top as maintenance.

The added bonus would be an easy way to provide humidity, and there would be less worry about stagnant water.

Could you give this some though for me? I have not set up my 20L yet, and do plan to use Argamax oolitic sand (I think, lol - it's still in the trunk of my car), and plan to keep it "sand-castle" consistency.

Maybe put gravel tidy over layer of substrate, and THEN put that white plastic grid (I cannot think of what it is called) over that? They could not possible pull apart the mess that way.

Please give it some though. I really need your thinking caps! Like I said before, I love this spot because it seems to be a hub for the smartest think-ouside-the-crabitat people.

MOST sincerely,
cleo

> I am very thankful for all the wonderful information concentrated here, mainly by some very thingking minds. Thank you.
>
> Okay, here's my question. I plan on doing the Argamax oolitic sand, plus a place for eco earth. I may add sand to EE for ph?.
>
Welcome to the CrabbyWiki?. As you may have noticed, the forum is not very active, but does have quite a bit of informative information within it. To get more input on some of the questions you have, may I suggest to drop over to the Crab Street Journal?
http://crabstreetjournal.com/xoops/

One can read throughout the site and forums without being a member, and if one is a member they can post to the forums as well. If you decide to register for membership, please watch for an activation e-mail from the Crab street Journal. (and please check your spam/bulk folder on a regular basis for this e-mail as well)
As for your dampening/wet substrate, have you considered using the CaribSea? sand dry and let the hermies dampen it to their own liking and ph (ion) balance? The EE does need to be used damp though, and one can use a piece of plexiglas to help divide the 2 substrates.

Thanks ladybug,

I will cut and paste my post there. I don't think my little guys are big enough, but I could be WAY wrong. I notice that they don't go in their water dishes - salt or fresh. I do know they hate a wet substrate.

Thanks again you guys,
see ya on the CSJ forums

Cleo,

You tank should not be sealed. You want some air circulation.

Even the little crabs may dig down all the way to the bottom. When I notice water collecting at the bottom of the tank, I use a baster to get it out.

You may want to try using one of those plastic bottoms for bottom airration like they use in fish aquariums. Then the sand on to of that.

Hi again

I think we are talking about the same thing? An undergravel filter creates a space at the bottom of the tank, and has slits that allows oxygenated water to flow through.

In this case, I need a layer of gravel on top (so it won't clog), and then a "gravel tidy" (sorta like widowscreen, I think - not metal) on top of that to prevent the sand from falling through and clogging the slits in the filter. The airlift tubes would still have airline tubing (with airstones) near the bottom. This would hopefully create air movement, and in turn cause any water sitting on the bottom to turn gaseous (humidity) and since gas is lighter than water - coupled with the airstone - would move up through the airlift tube and discharge into the tank.

This might have three benefits 1) a space for excess water to go (trickle to the bottom of tank under the "filter" 2) it would not stagnate because air is contantly ciruculating and turning the moisture in to a gas 3) it escapes via the uplift tubes and into the crabitate.

It is an aquarium undergravel filter, but used in a different way

I always let my ten gallon air out once a day, because I think they need the changing evironment to "adapt" under different conditons.

I signed up on CSJ and found a post where someone was talking about this same problem! I was so exceited to bounce ideas around, but it won't let me post. I've emailed them, but to no avail (yet).

I don't want to insult anyone here. I just want to collaborate with others.

Could you possible cut and paste this (or maybe my second post as well) and put it on CSJ for me? I just want to see if anyone has concrete ideas, or similar experiences. Or maybe send them over here? I really think this might work, and the crabs would be healther.

Can you tell me how the baster works? Do you tilt your tank then air for a corner? I assume sand comes up with it, right? If this would work, I think it would be great.

I would appreciate any ideas to come this way. I did read ladybug's post, but I'm not talking about the same thing (exacly)

Oh, and I would put a grating OVER the gravel tidy mess so the crabs could not get to the mesh and pick large holes in it.

Okay, hopefully I understood you right, and if I didn't, I apoligize.

I have read everything EVERYTHING you guys have discussed, plus I searched through biology abstracts as well trying to learn about Land Hermit Crabs.

Thank you in advance if you can either get this over there, or bring everybody here, either way is fine. I like team-work, and enjoy figuring things out together.

AGAIN Sincerely,
cleo

"I signed up on CSJ and found a post where someone was talking about this same problem! I was so exceited to bounce ideas around, but it won't let me post. I've emailed them, but to no avail (yet)."

Cleo, Your registration for membership came in this morning and I sent out the activation e-mail to the e-mail address you provided on the registration form. Above, I did mention this would be sent, and to please check your spam/bulk folder for it too.
You indeed wrote to the CSJ through the contact address and I did reply to you then as well. (an hour after the e-mail was received) Are you registered with an active e-mail, and are you checking your spam/bulk folder for the activation e-mail? Yahoo does have a habit of placing these within the spam folder. If you have registered with an active e-mail and have not received this activation e-mail let me know and I will send another. One MUST have an active e-mail for their pending membership to be activated.

>Can you tell me how the baster works? Do you tilt your tank then air for a >corner? I assume sand comes up with it, right? If this would work, I think it >would be great.

No, I don't tip the tank. Mine is way too big and heavy for that. I just stick the baster in the substrate (I use EE - Ecco Earth coconut fiber) with the bulb squeezed. Then I raise the baster just slightly (1/8 of inch), let go of the bulb, and let it suction up the water. Yes, some substrate does come up with the water, but not much.

I didn't know what you were talking about in your first post... now we are on the same page. Screen - you can try fabric screen like they use on window screens. Then medium sized river rock to hold it in place in the corners and middle. A small layer of gravel, then your sand. You need to have your substrate twice in depth to the largest shell of your hermies. Using a ten gallon like this may not give you much space on top of substrate for climbing items.

Did you get that activation email from CSJ?

LOL, I just sent another email...I think I finally "got it". I want to get to the good stuff, and hate the red-tape. Hopefully, I have not already wore out my welcome! I know she is a very busy person, and think I pushed her over the edge, lol. I hope not. Soon I will be posting!

Yay, I'm so glad we are on the same page! And thank you for the helpful tip about the "gravel-tidy"!

I was so worried that you might think I was being rude, but I guess it was a case of me not being very clear. I am a horrid poster. I think I'm making sense, but not enough.

Thank you so much for being patient, too. I am actually kinda shy, but when I get an idea - I can turn into a sqeaky wheel - a LOUD one. I'm sure you have noticed, lol.

Yes, I do realize the depth will be critcal for a happy moulter. I just bought a 20L tank, and I am already wishing I did a 29g. If I can find my reciept I will take it back, lol.

Thanks for the tips, and I will keep a log once it is up and stabalized. I'm already pining for an E! They ARE like potato chips!

Thanks,
cleo