Moulting or destressing from pps?

[ladybug15057]

Years ago when I first offered the ocean water I had to add 2 ponds with 1 fresh water. There was a LOT of pincher pushing between the hermies due to them wanting/needing the ocean water. You may need to add 2 ponds the first 2-3 days until they get their fill of it and then realize it will be there to stay.

[abegie]

Well I didn't have to add a second ocean water dish as my main one seemed ample, but there really is no doubt that the crabs liked the real stuff better. Noticed a little more activity, its always half empty by morning, and more sand in the dish then I ever had with the hermit crab salt water.

[CrabbyJo]

Isn't it amazing?
I'm considering switching brands from Instant Ocean to something else, due to a study that I think Wai posted some time back. And darn me if I didn't save the link.
But it showed larvae and zoea (sp) thriving more in a different type than in the Instant Ocean.
I'm sure my crabs are fine with the IO, and I know many use it very successfully, but I too want to see if there's a difference in how much they visit the bowl, and I just would feel better I suppose with something that might be better.
I still have a full unopened box of IO, and part of my other box left, so I will see if the pet store would trade me since I bought it from them lol.
Wai, was it you posted that study? Do you remember what I"m talking about? I'll try searching for it later (ever the procrastinator).

[abegie]

Hey all. Mostly just looking for some reassurance and possibly some advice. CrabbyJo may remember a story I told in another thread about my little PP named Morgan. He was lethargic, didn't move for days and I helped him get to the food dish and the salt water dish and he slowly got better to the point where he was walking around by himself and doing a lot better. So a week ago he buried himself. I must admit I was a little worried that if he was moulting that he may not be strong enough yet so I was pretty much pacing and watching the surface of the area where he buried non stop. So yesterday morning I noticed he was exposed. And there were a few tiny bits of exoskeleton in front of him but not much, basically a remnant of one walking leg and his big claw. He had moulted! The problem being that I believe he was interrupted. I think the other guys smelled him since he was buried quite shallow and helped themselves to his exoskeleton. Now I very gently moved him to his own coco hut with a small dish of some mineral supplement(from Hermitcrabpatch) and some crushed coral as well as the few pieces left of his exoskeleton and a small dish of salt water. I'm leaving him alone and mostly just watching to make sure the other boys leave him alone. He seems to periodically be eating but other than that not really doing any moving around. Anything else I should be doing? Thanks.

[ladybug15057]

If he is on the surface even within a hut he needs to be sectioned off from the others. Right now he has the molting odor which can be and usually is irresistible to the other hermies. He is soft and very vulnerable right now and if not sectioned off he maybe cannibalized by the others. If you have an iso tank set up (which all crabbers should for emergencies) he can be moved to it if you cannot section him off in the main tank.