I buy a jug of distilled water and it last a good long time! They really like it to drink or bathe in. Mine I also offer Ocean Marine Sea Salt mixture into distilled water (a different jug) I just make about half a gallon because it really goes a long way. I pay two dollars for that big jug.
I use the Coconut Substate-the REAL stuff, not the forest kind. This I found for me was the best of all for especially the winter months with my heating in the house being dry. I use a jug of distilled water (one gallon) to one brick and it takes about a half hour but you will have plenty for a tank and don't make it too deep or the UTH won't make a difference.
They love eggshells that are ground up and carrots and celery and honey if you have any just put a drop on a little shell. POPCORN. Oh if you want to see them come out in droves, once in a while give them a couple popcorn puffs and make sure it does not have seasonings or salt or butter. Just plain. I gave up on the baths, they like to bathe themselves. Good luck with your babies. I am seven months into mine and I swear they have grown, especially little popeye. They come out now when the curtain is open for the end of the day sunset and its through the window. I notice when the moon is full they are all out more often. Just happens to be where they are located I guess. Enjoy and remember that some of us are new too but most of the people who ask you general questions are helping you and can direct you to other links. Try checking out and making a journal and you will find alot of information just by seeing what other newbies are doing.
6 hermit crabs - 3 PPs and 3 Equadorians
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Thanks for the tips, babesbarn! I used to use distilled water but it ran out pretty fast so I just use some dechlorinated water.
Wai said on the care section to use saltwater, so I think I will do that instead, but thank you anyways. I used Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix for my saltwater dish. It works great! I haven't measured the salinity (forgot to buy the measuring tool for it) so I don't know that yet. I'm buying a 20 gallon and using my 10 gallon for an ISO tank, so when I go to buy the 20 gallon I will also buy the measuring tool for that. Also, I don't own an UTH (I have fears of them overheating themselves considering they are buried all day and most nights)
I would love to see some pictures of yours - just to see them grow. Mine haven't grown at all since I bought them, so I would love to see your improvement. I've seen a lot of journals - they are very interesting to "watch". Do you have a heating and/or light source? It sounds like you just use the sun, which is actually very creative but could be hazardous in summer or winter. Fall and spring, if your climate is like mine (Tennessee), then you should be good. It always depends.
Sorry all of my responses are very scrambled. My ipod can be such a jerk.
I'm buying a 20 gallon and using my 10 gallon for an ISO tank, so when I go to buy the 20 gallon I will also buy the measuring tool for that.
May I suggest to possibly purchase something else with the money that you would spend on this? It really depends on the temperature of the water itself as to what reading you will get from the hydrometer... even if you buy the high dollar Refractometer. (sp) So depending on the temp of the water the reading could be different each time. You mention you use Oceanic natural sea salt, the recommended measurement is 1/2 cup to U.S. gallon of water, 1/4 cup to 1/2 gal, and so on...
Marie (aka ladybug15057)
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I use 2/4 of a teaspoon to a two liter saltwater dish. I don't think my calculations are exactly right, but pretty close...
The temperature is around 70-72˚F. I'll check out the prices at Petco/Petsmart/other marine and/or freshwater fish stores soon and make my decision based on that, I suppose.
Yes, I block it for 12 hours with a plastic container so it can sit and settle. I then take it off and re-stir it and let it sit for 2 hours, blocking it once again. Then I unblock it and leave it be. I was looking up measurements and eventually gave up because there were no articles and/or websites on measuring ocean mix so I basically guessed and asked my mom (a math teacher) if that ratio/fraction of salt would work and she said it should be good. She is not a marine biologist, but I will give her that much.
Mixing it in a container and shaking it during the 12-24 hours does have the ocean/sea mix mix more evenly that putting it in a pond or such and stirring it. Most of the ocean/sea crystals will settle back to the bottom of the pond.
To test this, get a container and mix the ocean/sea mix. let it sit and when a couple hours go by look at the bottom of the container... then shake it. Do this a few times prior to offering it. I am sure you have a mixing cup? and a measuring spoon that can be used and any clean water bottle or glass jar can be used.
Marie (aka ladybug15057)
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My pond is aerated, so I was trusting that it (it being the air stone) would "stir" it for me? Is this accurate? I use a measuring spoon that I fill to the rim (usually 2/4 tsp. - I realize that this is way too weak ; I will now be filling it up to 1 tsp. and maybe add 1/4 of a tsp. to that) with the measurements above. Thank you to for the link to the website! It was a wonderful help. Oh, and just for the record, the measuring spoon I use is always either cleaned/dried or already clean. I would never stir their water with a dirty spoon.
