cleaning tank

Question
QUESTION: I'm a preschool teacher and bought 3 hermit crabs in February, everything has been good until the other day when I could not find Emily! After searching the tank, I found her under the water dish. I mistakenly moved her out because it scared me. After reading your answers I realize that she could be molting.  My question is, I would like to clean out the tank and replace the original sand.  Would it be ok to move Emily again?  Also, how do you recommend I clean the tank.  This is my first attempt with crabs and the kids love Emily,Jack Sparrow, and Crusty. Thanks, Sheri

ANSWER: Dear Sheri,

Hi! It would be fine to move Emily while she is in molting session. Molting is just when they shed skin, and start growing new skin which keeps them cooler, so it will not harm her. She may feel scared, so hold her carefully when you are holding her, and she might feel the need to change shells eventually, so make sure you have a bigger shell available for her.

If you are replacing the sand, I suggest you replace it with gravel. You know, the little rocks. Since you are a teacher, maybe get the multi-color rocks, and the kids will love watching the hermit crabs in a colorful tank. If not multi-color, just plain, then it's okay. You can buy gravel at your local pet store most likely, or at where ever you got your hermit crabs probably. If not, you can just Google search pet stores with gravel. Hermit crabs love gravel, because they like the feeling, and burrowing, and digging in it.

When cleaning the tank, this is something you must watch out for. Only clean the tank with cold water, using a sponge without soap in it. Maybe buy a new sponge. Most soap smells, and all windex or cleaners can kill the hermit crab. That's why it is important to use just water. I suggest warm water, because that'll take the dirt or sand right off!

I really hope I helped, and thanks so much for choosing me as an expert! If you need any further instruction or help, feel free to ask a follow-up question, or e-mail me for private conversations. I hope I helped, and thanks again.

-Jenna

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Jenna, Thanks for your help. Are you sure about the gravel? I am using sand that the pet shop recommended, not play sand, and everything I read said sand that shoud be moist enough to form. Do you still mist the gravel?  How often to you need to wash the tank?  Thanks for your quick reply. Sheri

*And, do you use hot or cold water? You said both in your answer.

Answer
Dear Sheri,

You can use either sand or gravel, and I figured it was not play sand. I thought you said you were replacing the sand, with something else which is why I said gravel. I got a little confused. Ha ha. Sand is fine, but if you ever differ, then use gravel.

Clean the tank, say, every two weeks. They do not require high maintenance, which is good.

You can use either cold or warm water, it doesn't matter, but I suggest warm water because it works with cleaning, and it's easier to take off any filth from the tank. Cold is pretty much the same, but it doesn't take off filth as quickly.

I hope I helped, and thanks so much for choosing me as an expert. If you need any more further help, then feel free to ask another follow-up, or just e-mail me. You're welcome by the way, since you said "Thanks for your help and Thanks for your quick reply". You can rate me by clicking "Thank/Rate the expert and you can leave a comment. You don't have to if you don't want to though! Thanks again.

-Jenna