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QUESTION: I have several questions.  I have a 40 gallon reptile aquarium that I decided to put hermit crabs in.  I thought I had it all together, but when pet store folks couldn't answer my questions, I began to search the web and found that I may not have the perfect habitat for my crabs...yet.  1.  So, if I use the coconut fiber substrate and the calcite sand as ground cover for my tank, how often do I need to change each?  2.  My tank has a glass lid on one half and a screen built into the other half.  Can I cover the screen side with plexi glass and use a light strip that doesn't put out heat and be okay?  Do I still need an  under tank heater?  3.  I didn't realize I should rinse the sand before I put it in the tank....i can see dust residue on my crabs.  Are they going to die?  What do I do?  4.  I also used a water dechlorinator with stress coat in it (the pet store guy said I should) and that has been their fresh water source...are they going to die?  What do I do besides obviously don't do it again?  5.  They are also drinking their salt bath water. Is this okay?
6.  Are y'all saying that they won't eat the same type of food twice in a row or just food that's been out more than one day in a row?  7.  I'm worried about the humidity.  I have the dual gauge thing with temp and hydro... as long as those stay in the optimal zone, I should be okay, right?

Sorry, for all the questions, I just want to be clear. No pet store has been helpful. I'm putting these crabs in my classroom and really want them to survive and do well.


ANSWER: Hi Krisi!  I'm going to copy and paste your question and answer them one by one okay?

1.  So, if I use the coconut fiber substrate and the calcite sand as ground cover for my tank, how often do I need to change each?

If you reconstitute the coconut fiber with ocean style salt water you don't have to do a complete change until around the 4 month mark. You will want to "spot clean" in between that time. Some people have had problems with the calcisand stinking when wet, I personally don't use it but if you aren' having problems, don't fix what isn't broken.


 2.  My tank has a glass lid on one half and a screen built into the other half.  Can I cover the screen side with plexi glass and use a light strip that doesn't put out heat and be okay?  Do I still need an  under tank heater?

I have a tall 35 gallon and I don't use a UTH but I do use a sunglo/moonglo rotating light. Almost any light you use is going to put out heat of some sort. But you can always put the light over the glass side. You can also just cover the screen part with saran wrap and adjust how much is covered until your humidity is stable.


 3.  I didn't realize I should rinse the sand before I put it in the tank....i can see dust residue on my crabs.  Are they going to die?  What do I do?  

Nope, they will be fine. I never rinse my sand when I use it. Is your sand damp or dry. It should be sand castle consistancy. Not moist enough to squeeze water out of but moist enough to stick together. You can always dip their legs in a small bowl of dechlorinated water to rinse them off if you are concerned. New sand is always sticky though, it will wear off.


4.  I also used a water dechlorinator with stress coat in it (the pet store guy said I should) and that has been their fresh water source...are they going to die?  What do I do besides obviously don't do it again?

They will probably be fine. The jury is still out about stress coat in the drinking water but only using it for a little while shouldn't hurt anything. I would still replace it with regular decholorinator or even with spring water (regular bottled water still has chlorine).

5.  They are also drinking their salt bath water. Is this okay?

Perfectly normal. Do you have both available to them in the tank? They should have two pools, one fresh and one salt that are deep enough for them to climb in and get water into their shells. There is no need for regular bathing.


6.  Are y'all saying that they won't eat the same type of food twice in a row or just food that's been out more than one day in a row?  

Generally they won't come back to the same dish until a certain amount of time has passed which is why it's a good idea to have several different kinds of food and either offer them in a staggered way. Ex, Mon Dish 1 and 2, Tue, dish 2 and 3, Wed dish 3 and 4 etc. They will eventually come back and eat it but it's not ideal, their biology is based on eating variety.

7.  I'm worried about the humidity.  I have the dual gauge thing with temp and hydro... as long as those stay in the optimal zone, I should be okay, right?

Yes, have you callibrated your hygrometer? That's an important step that many forget. Place your hygrometer in a small container or ziploc bag with a soda bottle cap full of salt that you have just moistened with water. Leave for 6 hours. It should read 75. If it's off, make a not of how far above or below and keep that in mind when reading the humidity in the future. The best range is 74-82 for both tem and humidity.

:)  Hope I've answered all your questions (so far) :)

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

QUESTION: Thanks for all the answers! How often do i need to change the calcite sand?  If it's rather frequently, what would be a better choice?  I read that moss was a good choice, so how often do you change it?

ANSWER: Do you have them in separate areas or mixed together? Generally I mix playsand, cocofiber and moss all in one big container and dump it in, I don't have separate areas. Even with separate areas the 3-4 month rule stands unless you feel like you need to do it sooner. I have heard that calcisand can get smelly and if it did, I would change it.

I have an article on moss on my website, www.naturallycrabby.com

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

QUESTION: Okay, then what is a good brand of playsand to use?  Do I have to do anything to the sand before I use it or just dump it in?  Can they eat canned fruit in natural juice or just fresh and can they eat any kind of fruit?  tuna fish in water?  Can you put a chunk of coconut in there or just the shredded kind?  Okay, those are my last questions for now. :)  I really appreciate your help and your time!  Thanks a ton!

Answer
Okay, then what is a good brand of playsand to use?

I use the kind from toys r us, just make sure you are staying away from quickcrete or hardware store sand.


 Do I have to do anything to the sand before I use it or just dump it in?

I dampen mine with dechlorinated water. Make sure you use a respirator or at least a cloth over your mouth when pouring, silica dust is dangerous.

Can they eat canned fruit in natural juice or just fresh and can they eat any kind of fruit?

Canned fruit is okay but not ideal, fresh is better. Check www.epicureanhermit.com for a fairly complete list of safe and unsafe foods and plants.

 tuna fish in water?

As long as it's packed in water without salt. (this is pretty hard to find)

Can you put a chunk of coconut in there or just the shredded kind?  Chunks of coconut are DEFINITELY recommended, one of my crabs favorite foods, that and coconut milk!