How to make sand from the beach Safe for ur hermit Crabs

Questions about designing a terrarium.
User avatar
I_love_my_hermie23
Zoea I
Zoea I
Posts: 151
Joined: 28 Sep 2006, 03:45
Location: MI

Post by I_love_my_hermie23 »

I put a small thing of salt water in the cage every 3 dayz
\from ur friend
-b-
r.i.p.-*boo* 11/11/06
User avatar
Jedi_Sena
Zoea IV
Zoea IV
Posts: 359
Joined: 18 Aug 2006, 06:05
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 4
Total gallons: 55
Total tanks: 1
Location: Colorado, USA
Contact:

SALTWATER SAND

Post by Jedi_Sena »

Maybe I should clarify. After baking and cooling my sand, I wet it with 1/2 saltwater and 1/2 fresh dechlor water to make it sand-castle consistency. Then I put the sand in the crabitat. If the sand dries out, then I just add more fresh dechlor. But I strongly feel that having some weak saltwater prevents mold and other bacterial problems.
Jaci
Coenobita
Coenobita
Posts: 1563
Joined: 21 Jan 2006, 01:23
Location: Missouri

Post by Jaci »

i know that the salt water is essential for successful molts. what you said makes sense, do you spray the salt water in the tank?
*** Lemi *** Bebe *** Wendy *** Ike *** Craig *** Aries*** Zeus ***

RIP:
Token 1/8/06 * Butters 1/31/06 * Tweek 3/16/06 * Shelley 4/14/06 * Timmy 8/5/06 * Athena 11/6/06 * Jimmy 1/22/08 * Apollo 2/4/08
User avatar
Jedi_Sena
Zoea IV
Zoea IV
Posts: 359
Joined: 18 Aug 2006, 06:05
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 4
Total gallons: 55
Total tanks: 1
Location: Colorado, USA
Contact:

salt build-up

Post by Jedi_Sena »

I use fresh water (dechlorinated) to re-moisten sand after the initial wetting w/ saltwater because I don't want to see any salt residue on the tank items, it can build up pretty quickly and too much might be toxic for them. I also use fresh dechlor water to mist when that is needed.

I also wet my sponge in saltwater sometimes and it seems to last longer without getting that "sour" smell.
User avatar
I_love_my_hermie23
Zoea I
Zoea I
Posts: 151
Joined: 28 Sep 2006, 03:45
Location: MI

Post by I_love_my_hermie23 »

^) Umm i didnt say..Put the salt water with the sand...U just bake the sand it u get it ffrom the Beach n then Let it Cool and put it in the tank (remem to take rocks and plants from the sand b4 baking) I ment i Put a small Dish of Salt water every for days a small thing like a bottel cap Of salt water.........
\from ur friend
-b-
r.i.p.-*boo* 11/11/06
User avatar
Jedi_Sena
Zoea IV
Zoea IV
Posts: 359
Joined: 18 Aug 2006, 06:05
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 4
Total gallons: 55
Total tanks: 1
Location: Colorado, USA
Contact:

saltwater

Post by Jedi_Sena »

great job i_love_hermies23! Saltwater is very important for them to drink and carry in their shells. Good thinking to put a dish in there! I was just trying to add my own method to the great thread you've created here!
User avatar
I_love_my_hermie23
Zoea I
Zoea I
Posts: 151
Joined: 28 Sep 2006, 03:45
Location: MI

Post by I_love_my_hermie23 »

:D yay me!
\from ur friend
-b-
r.i.p.-*boo* 11/11/06
User avatar
Jedi_Sena
Zoea IV
Zoea IV
Posts: 359
Joined: 18 Aug 2006, 06:05
Gender: Female
Hermit crabs: 4
Total gallons: 55
Total tanks: 1
Location: Colorado, USA
Contact:

prepare beach sand

Post by Jedi_Sena »

I have recently found a reason to add this step:
pass a strong magnet through the dry sand to remove iron filings that will rust when sand gets wet.
Post Reply