Hi. I just purchased my first two hermit crabs recently, and they are currently sitting inactive (one under a tree, one under a hut). I have a few questions though.
When I go to handle the hermit crab, he is covered with wet sand, and he just looks dirty. When I want to pick him up and play with him, is there any way to rinse the dirt off? Should I just submerge him in tapwater for just one second, and then play with him?
My next question is dechlorinated water. I am just wondering if I am doing this right. I have two seperate containers, one labelled salt-water and the other freshwater. I basically put the drops of each packet (looks like a ketchup packet) in their respective containers. Then, every day, I just clean out the old water, then put in the pre-made water. Is that the correct way of doing it? I'm sorry if this is confusing. I can explain it more if you need me to.
My last question is: would a dull lamp light be harmful or annoying to the hermit crab?
Two Questions
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Jjang
- Zygote
- Posts: 18
- Joined: 30 Jan 2011, 10:00
- Gender: Male
- Hermit crabs: 2
- Total gallons: 10
- Total tanks: 1
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ladybug15057
- Coenobita
- Posts: 3098
- Joined: 03 Mar 2008, 04:12
- Gender: Female
- Hermit crabs: 82
- Total gallons: 305
- Total tanks: 7
- Location: Southwestern Pa., U.S.
Re: Two Questions
In the "General rules and Guidelines" there is a list of questions that it is asked to please copy and paste the answers to within a post for us to attempt to help troubleshoot if there maybe a complication brewing.
Have you read the Crab Care section? One should not use straight tap water.
Please also read the PPS (Post Purchase Stress) article, hermies should be permitted a de-stressing time. It is very important for their health.
http://crabstreetjournal.com/xoops/modu ... toryid=165
What is the volume of your main tank?
How many hermit crabs do you currently have? How big are they?
How long have you had the hermit crab(s) that you are concerned about?
What substrate or combination of substrates are you using? How deep is it?
What do you feed your hermit crabs?
Do you use distilled, bottled, tap or other types of water?
If you are using a dechlorinator, what brand is it? Does it state to remove all heavy metals, chlorine and chloramines?
What brand of sea salt are you using to supply your hermit crabs with salt water?
What heat source are you using and where is it positioned?
Have you calibrated your thermometer(s) and hygrometer so that you can interpret accurate readings?
What is the air temperature range and humidity inside the tank?
If you are using an under tank heater, what is the highest temperature that the substrate reaches?
Do you have any photos of your tank or hermit crab(s) of concern? If yes, please attach them to your post.
Have you read the Crab Care section? One should not use straight tap water.
Please also read the PPS (Post Purchase Stress) article, hermies should be permitted a de-stressing time. It is very important for their health.
http://crabstreetjournal.com/xoops/modu ... toryid=165
What is the volume of your main tank?
How many hermit crabs do you currently have? How big are they?
How long have you had the hermit crab(s) that you are concerned about?
What substrate or combination of substrates are you using? How deep is it?
What do you feed your hermit crabs?
Do you use distilled, bottled, tap or other types of water?
If you are using a dechlorinator, what brand is it? Does it state to remove all heavy metals, chlorine and chloramines?
What brand of sea salt are you using to supply your hermit crabs with salt water?
What heat source are you using and where is it positioned?
Have you calibrated your thermometer(s) and hygrometer so that you can interpret accurate readings?
What is the air temperature range and humidity inside the tank?
If you are using an under tank heater, what is the highest temperature that the substrate reaches?
Do you have any photos of your tank or hermit crab(s) of concern? If yes, please attach them to your post.
by Jjang on January 29th, 2011, 6:14 pm
Hi. I just purchased my first two hermit crabs recently, and they are currently sitting inactive (one under a tree, one under a hut). I have a few questions though.
When I go to handle the hermit crab, he is covered with wet sand, and he just looks dirty. When I want to pick him up and play with him, is there any way to rinse the dirt off? Should I just submerge him in tapwater for just one second, and then play with him?
My next question is dechlorinated water. I am just wondering if I am doing this right. I have two seperate containers, one labelled salt-water and the other freshwater. I basically put the drops of each packet (looks like a ketchup packet) in their respective containers. Then, every day, I just clean out the old water, then put in the pre-made water. Is that the correct way of doing it? I'm sorry if this is confusing. I can explain it more if you need me to.
My last question is: would a dull lamp light be harmful or annoying to the hermit crab?
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.
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.
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Wai
- Administrator
- Posts: 2907
- Joined: 01 Nov 2004, 14:12
- Gender: Male
- Hermit crabs: 6
- Total gallons: 45
- Total tanks: 1
- Location: Victoria, Australia
- Contact:
Re: Two Questions
You can rinse your hermit crabs in water if you want to, as long as it is dechlorinated. I don't bother rinsing mine to handle them though - I let them bathe themselves.
There's a question amongst the list that asks for the brand name of the sea salt you are using - this is very important, since there are a lot of dodgy sea salt products on pet store shelves. As for changing the water, you might want to give the containers a clean to wipe off the slime on the bottom of the containers before putting the new water in.
Dull lights shouldn't bother hermit crabs as long as they don't flick on and off constantly at night and you aren't relying on them as a heat source. What type of light is it?
There's a question amongst the list that asks for the brand name of the sea salt you are using - this is very important, since there are a lot of dodgy sea salt products on pet store shelves. As for changing the water, you might want to give the containers a clean to wipe off the slime on the bottom of the containers before putting the new water in.
Dull lights shouldn't bother hermit crabs as long as they don't flick on and off constantly at night and you aren't relying on them as a heat source. What type of light is it?
Wai
