I also have no ISO tank yet. Do they need one?
EDIT : I'm using Wai's idea with a 2 liter bottle right now for a temporary ISO tank.
Sorry, I did not know you were aware of this because in the Crab Care section it does state how and why an iso tank is needed. This is very important when getting new hermies and also to help them adjust due to PPS.
Even though I was using salt water to expand my EE, no amount of boiling or baking it seemed to matter it always came back and seemed to come back quicker each time!
From reading this does seem to happen. But there are some mold spores that are impossible to kill so this does happen. Some have found it is easier to keep wood off of a damp substrate to prevent it from molding to begin with.
Marie (aka ladybug15057)
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Just be prepared, I have 4 rugs and when I got them years ago (before my straws) they were 4 of the more aggressive hermies I had ever bought. They spent almost a month in iso before I felt a little comfortable about letting them meet my other hermies. Some crabbers back then also made the comment that after a week of iso time and adding them to the main tank the rugs were aggressive towards PP's and E's. They too let them have extra iso time to settle down.
Marie (aka ladybug15057)
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I'll wait until I get my 20 gallon to get them just in case they are aggressive. Then, I'll use my 10 gallon as in ISO tank. (I have a whole lot of extra sand just waiting to be used so I can add a lot of inches to it)
Should I use both coconut fiber and sand for my ISO or just sand or just coconut fiber?
This is a crabbers choice, but this also would depend on the humidity. Coco fiber must be used damp and can boost a humidity level and may boost it too much while the rugs are adjusting to proper levels.
Marie (aka ladybug15057)
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I might do both with a tank separator (maybe drill a hole in the bottom so they can have access to both, if need be).
What colors were your ruggies? (Sorry for the off-subject question, I just love their coloring)
In my signature I have a link to my photobucket album. There is a sub-folder there on the right that says 'exotics'. There you will find the picture of my rugs. They were bought in hideous painted shells. They no sooner went to iso and changed shells. All except for one in the green shell. He didn't change shells until after he molted. They all changed into the lightweight brown tapestry turbo shells, and still are their preferred shell to wear. That day I bought 4 rugs and one was an indo. (the 2 ladybug shells and the green and yellow spiral type shells were/are the rugs)
The rugs are a dark beige/cream type coloring, with a pronounced mark up the middle of their large pincher and a dot under their eye stalks.
Marie (aka ladybug15057)
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I'm getting new carpet next week, then I will be getting all new furniture. I will have enough room for a 20 gallon then. I am also planning on using my 10 gallon as an ISO tank. I've also decided to go with sand *only* in my ISO tank, EE and sand in the main.
My current list (with links) :
√ = I have it
Hermit Crab Supplies/Wanted List :
- Dried Cholla Cactus Climber Large : $6.00
- Small Shell 10 Pack : $8.00
- Medium Shell 10 Pack : $13.00
- Ruggie Hermit Crab (x2): $26.00
- Sand Dollars Calcium Supplement : 3.00
- Colorado Care Company Hermit Crab Kibble : $6.00
ISO Tank Checklist :
10 gallon glass tank w/ lid √
Temperature and Humidity gauges
25 watt full spectrum bulb (clamp style preferred, but tube ok)
UTH (only if necessary to sustain minimum levels of heat range)
Plants for ground cover (silk or plastic) –grasses, vines, driftwood
DRY sand, enough to cover bottom of tank from 1/2 – 1” depth
Un-dyed reptile moss (moistened with ocean salt water mix, squeezed dry)
Fresh and Ocean salt water dishes √
Food dishes √
Appropriate shells to change into (at least 2 per crab)
Proper diet * see menu suggestions and Epicurean Hermit
Anything else to be preparing for?
Last edited by .:HermitCrabs:. on 17 Feb 2011, 17:48, edited 1 time in total.
Edited to add:
Please also start on page one where originally it was asked about supplies needed or lacking. Even where you made a post stating what you knew you needed....
Marie (aka ladybug15057)
If you are contacted privately (via pm or e-mail) and enticed to join another forum, please contact a Crab Crew member. This is an unethical practice.