QuestionQUESTION: Hi, I have read about the importance of maintaining humidity in the crabs habitat. I have even read that a mesh cover should/ could be lined w/ saran wrap or covered in plastic to keep humidity in the tank. How do the crabs get oxygen if you completely cover the tank and block airflow? Thanks, Gabrielle
(ps - I am a new owner and have put coconut fibers down and added water to a coconut fiber brick. How do I know if I have too much water in the coconut fibers- how do I avoid getting mites - I read that could be a problem w/ coconut
fibers. Thanks!
ANSWER: Usually when using the saran wrap you leave a 1-2 inch gap for air to get in. Make sure it is covered by mesh to keep them from escaping.
Reconstitute your cocofiber with salt water and you want to use the least amount of water to reconstitute it. Definitely avoid it being wet enough to "wring out" water. Damp is fine.
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QUESTION: Thanks for your answer - Just wondering about the mites I read about - should I just put in sand instead (dry calcisand or dampened?) to avoid mites? When I bought the Hermit crabs the seller said to keep them about 68 degrees. If my house is colder than that (In the winter nights we turn down the temp in the house to 62 degrees - we're in NH) would a terrarium heater pad be enough to keep the tank warm enough? Just wondering what other people in cold climates do w/o heating the whole house to a higher temp just for the hermits but I do want them to be comfortable. Love these little guys. :) (my 4 year old named them Wonderful, Squeezer, Chomper, and "Hermit".
AnswerJust wondering about the mites I read about
Your choice of substrate doesn't really affect the arrival of mites as much as getting infected crabs from the store. Make sure that all your crabs have a salt water bath that gets deep into their shells when you first bring them home.
- should I just put in sand instead (dry calcisand or dampened?) to avoid mites?
No, they need a moist substrate to tunnel and molt in. Avoid the calcisand, it's expensive and stinky and clumpy when wet.
When I bought the Hermit crabs the seller said to keep them about 68 degrees.
Actually 74-82 is better.
If my house is colder than that (In the winter nights we turn down the temp in the house to 62 degrees - we're in NH) would a terrarium heater pad be enough to keep the tank warm enough?
That combined with a light. You can purchase a standard clamplight in a hardware store and use a sunglo bulb from the petstore to help with heat. In the winter, get a 25 watt bulb for a 10 gallon tank.
Just wondering what other people in cold climates do w/o heating the whole house to a higher temp just for the hermits but I do want them to be comfortable.
I use mostly lights but I cannot use a UTH because my tank is fiberglass.
Love these little guys. :) (my 4 year old named them Wonderful, Squeezer, Chomper, and "Hermit".
LOL, my son is four. If I let him name the crabs we'd have Spongebob1, spongebob2 and spongebob3!
