Bedding from petco

[emmac350]

Crabs will dig for fun - I have a few that do it all the time. The length of time he's down will let you know if he's molting as a molt for a tiny crab usually takes around 2 weeks including recovery time. He may be molting - just have to wait and see, unfortunately.

As for how to keep your humidity up, stop the spraying and just cover most of the lid with either plexiglass (you can buy it and get it cut at stores like Lowe's) or even cardboard wrapped with plastic wrap. I think you'll find that the humidity will stay much higher that way. You might also consider moving the gauges closer to the sand's surface because the humidity down there will be lower than it is up top. I think the difference in my tank between sand level and top of the tank is almost 15%.

Also, that half-log hidey you have - what kind of wood is it made of? Some of the half logs are actually related to pine but have been treated to not smell much like it. Pine/pine relatives are bad as they can kill crabs after too much exposure.

[llmercll]

that sounds liike a good idea, i'll use cardboard for now.

how much should i leave exposed? just a few inches will be enough oxygen for him?

[emmac350]

Yeah, a few inches should be plenty. It just depends on your tank and all the various things that can change from tank to tank. My tank has a 1/4-1/2 inch gap between the light hood and the plexiglass all the way across as the primary air flow, along with the space under the hood (wire coming in makes some room) and the vents on the side of the hood by the light sockets. My tank gets plenty of air circulation, never smells bad, and the humidity is stable.

[llmercll]

that sounds ideal. with plexiglass do you just lie it on top of the "screen lid". I'll probably use cardboard with saran wrap? and tape it to the lid, leaving a 1/2" gap across for airflow

[ladybug15057]

Plexiglas does lay on top of the screen lid. If you have your measurements with you if you decide to purchase plexiglas Home DePot will cut it for free. When leaving a solid lid open for air flow, I leave the lid open on both ends for an air 'in' and and air 'out' type situation. I also use fans to help the air to move about.
For now using the cardboard and plastic for a lid you may not want to tape this to the screen lid. Leave it free so you can move the cardboard according to your humidity level within the tank.

[CrabbyJo]

I am still using cardboard wrapped with saran wrap for the cover on my mesh lid, and I love that I can slide it back and forth or take it off completely as needed. I have two pieces, so can leave on what I need.
I've just been too lazy to get measurements and go to Home Depot to get some plexiglass cut!
I'll just have to make it a priority... but the cardboard does work so well, plexi would only be for aesthetics for me at this point.

[llmercll]

Here's my updated crabitat =p







I have a lamp that I turn on at night, and its RIGHT next to the left side of my crabitat. Do you think the light could be bad for them at night being so close? and that it might be a good idea to move them somewhere else, or move the light a little farther away?

[CrabbyJo]

Watch your temperature, it shouldn't get any warmer than about 81*F - and it wouldn't be a bad idea to get another thermometer to measure the warm end of the tank as well.
What kind of bulb is it? Is it a night time heat lamp? It's important that they don't get UV rays during the night that will interrupt their day/night cycle. It's best to get a night glo bulb (blue), or in a pinch, a red heat lamp will have to do. At least the UV rays are minimal from the red bulb. The blue is best.
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/12994/product.web

Looks like you have a good start on your crabitat!

[llmercll]

its just a houselamp =p

[emmac350]

You'll need to get another lamp before winter, I'm afraid. Back when I was just starting out crabbing, I used a desk lamp to keep the tank warm, but the crabs really didn't like it. You can pick up light bulbs made for warming up reptiles at the pet store for not that much money. You can buy a lamp body there too (some are just the hood that goes around the light, others have clamp bottoms that will hold them on your tank) if you don't have another body you'd like to use at home (if you have a clamp light base at home, there's no point in buying another one!). The reasoning behind this is that crabs need the UV rays that come out of the daytime bulbs as well as the warmth - the light coming out of reptile bulbs is more than just light. So a normal house lamp won't give them what they need.