Some questions regarding Hermies and their care!

[FreeCrabby]

Not sure what section to put this in! Please feel free to move to any that may be more appropriate!

I ordered some hermit crabs yesterday (put a deposit down!) am very excited! Will be picking them up sometime in the next few days!

But I do have a few questions!

1.I bought some drift wood and have been soaking it - may boil it to. I read they can leak the tannins/make the water tea colour for a few months. I was wanting to put half the drift wood in their water so they can get out and half on sand. Would the tannins affect them if its in their water? and so just leave the drift wood out of the water on the sand?

2. Bringing them home should I have the substrate only a cm as thats how much the shop does and then later make it deeper? Or just leave it deep and see how they go? If I do only do it a cm at first when I bring them home - how long until I make it deeper?

3. I ordered 3 in natural shells but there were three bigger than golf ball sized crabbies in painted shells and they were very cute! Should I "rescue" them? Could they possibly be a bit of a hassel?
I wasnt looking at geting bigger ones but can do.... Im not sure what to do... even if I did get them they would just order more in anyway?

4. Would putting the heat mat on the side of the tank instead of the bottom be okay?

[ladybug15057]

1. Tannins are good for hermies, and they do get this from eating wood usually. But the thing about putting the driftwood in the water... what kind/species of wood is it? Wood left in water has a habit of getting a 'film' on it, takes a chance of also getting moldy/mildewy.

2. The substrate should be shallow for a couple weeks until they adjust to captive living. This gives them the opportunity to smell the food as well which would encourage them to eat to help them adjust. This would give you the opportunity to observe them for any problems, and for them to try out shells too. (there is a bit more info in the Crab Care section about PPS)

3. Normally it is the supplier who has the say about painted or natural shells. Not always just because a hermie is in a natural shell when new does it mean an attempt wasn't made to get them to change shells. They might of been just a tad too stubborn to change or leave their shell.

4. The heat mat on the side of the tank will do nothing to warm the substrate for the hermies when it would get cool/cold.

[FreeCrabby]

Thanks Ladybug I really appreciate your reply!

I will put the wood on the sand then for them to just climb on etc and out of the water. Its called Mopani Driftwood. Will check out the PPS section more to!

Just with the heat mat how will I place it so it doesnt burn the table I put it on?

[Wai]

Is the tank elevated above the table? If the heat mat is squished between the tank base and the table without room to breathe, the table might catch on fire (assuming it is made of wood) or melt (if made of plastic). You could put some blocks on the corners to elevate the tank above the table surface.

[FreeCrabby]

I might use bricks/blocks... but just to check - if my sand is 15cm high (just on that one side) and I put the mat on the side of the tank for a length of 30cm thats 15 x30 area of sand is covered by the heat mat? Plus bedroom light and or outside light I can use from a window. And or buy a lamp as well? I only have a 60ltre atm but still havent set up and am debating to get a bigger tank tommorow or not... so either tommorow I will get the bigger tank or keep the 60ltre - depening on what happens.

Wai do you know where to get moss from in Australia that is safe?

[Wai]

As long as the tank is warm enough, don't worry about lights. You don't want the electricity bills to eat up all your funds.

I bought my moss from this eBay listing. It has been in the tank for a few months now and I haven't had any problems with it so far (some of my hermit crabs even moulted in it), so I assume it's safe.

[ladybug15057]

Question, a few years ago an Aussie crabber stated that the UTH's sold in Aus. did not stick to the tanks, but were ones that just laid under the tank on a surface? Do they now stick too?
One would want at least an inch of space between the UTH and the table to prevent the UTH from overheating as Wai mentioned. (if stuck to the bottom of the tank) This does help the UTH to breath and keep from overheating. When or if the UTH would overheat, it would also cause the substrate to become too hot and overheat the hermies too.

[Wai]

The only UTHs that I've come across are those by ZooMed, which stick to the bottom of the tank. The glue is quite strong at first and is almost impossible to remove. Over time however, the glue may loosen its grip. I have two inactive UTHs placed under my tank in case I need them for some reason, but I have not peeled off the sticker to expose the glue. I have plastic UNO blocks on each corner to push up the UTHs against the bottom of the tank.

Heat mats on the other hand (which are different to UTHs), do not appear to stick to anything. I have seen pet store workers put them inside the tank under the bedding, which would have a high risk of burning the hermit crabs unless they are controlled by a thermostat. I am not sure if heat mats are ever used under the tank floor.

[FreeCrabby]

Thanks Wai for the link!

Ladybug mine doesnt stick but I bought some elecrical tape that should hold it? fingers crossed. I would like to get a thermostate but next month if not then in Feb so that should help... I read on here ladybug you put glass stones or something directly above the mat so they couldnt rest right on top of it... (I think it was you!) - I may do something like that.

[Wai]

Yes, Marie describes her set up here.