New to Hermit Crabs, 2?, Saline water & how much is too

thoeny · Post by **thoeny** » 23 Mar 2006, 15:59

I am new to crabs. Actually my 6 year old is, but that makes them mine as well. She has wanted them for a long time, and she did not forget about it like I thought she would. So last weekend we bought her two. She named them Hurry Crab and Scurry Crab. Last night we added a third named Larry.

Anyway I have two questions that I have not been able to find the ansers to. First I see you can make you own saline water for them by using aquarium salt, but how much salt to how much water?

And second I have read (and been told b y my daughter) that hermit crabs can drown easily, and that they should not have much water. Well how deep is too deep. Right now we have two dishes that are about a half inch deep, but with only about a 1/4 inch of water. Plus we have a couple of small shells in there as well as a sponge. There is no way they can drown the way I have it now (unless they were on a suicide mission). But they also cannot bathe themselves either. I would like to have the water about 1/4 - 3/8 deep, so they can bathe themselves. And then have a sponge in the center of each dish or a shell to climb on if needed. Would this be safe? I see posts of letting your crab bathe itself, and would like to do it this way as well. But I do not want them to drown. Please help.

Also will have more questions about tank setup later. Currently we have them in a 35 gallon aquarium with two large water dishes, and a food dish. There are several shells around, only a three that work as a hermit shell. We have a climbing background, a thermometer, a humidity gauge, a UTH, a hut, and play sand substrate with a small amount of calci-sand. I saw posts about having a second story, and think that is a neat idea. We have plenty of room for it. Also want to figure out better heating for this winter. Sorry for the ramble, but it is late. Thanks for your help. Sherry

hyper.mum · Post by **hyper.mum** » 23 Mar 2006, 16:37

Hi Sherry
Welcome to the wonderful world of crabbing

In reguard to your questions ...
You can make ocean water from synthetic sea salt (Instant Ocean or Tropic Marine for examples ... bought from your local pet store) these will have directions on the pack.
I personally buy natural sea salt (supermarkets etc please dont get this confused with cooking or table salt as this will harm the hermies.) or I obtain sea water from my local beach and filter and test this in another tank for a good couple of days before adding to the crabitat. To be sure that the salt isnt too strong or weak invest in a hydrometer (mine cost about $10AUD)
Crabs can drown if they dont have any way to get out of their dishes, an easy way around this is to put a sponge, rocks, pebbles etc so they have easy access in and out of the pool, this way you can have a really deep pool (like me, lol) and get great enjoyment from watching your crabbies have a swim, dont panic if they stay under for a while, Ive recorded one of my crabs under water for more than 20mins! hope this helps you a little, oh yeah nearly forgot ... the fresh water you provide your hermies must be dechlorinated, no tap water, this dish can also be deep as long as theres good access.
happy crabbin
Kellie

thoeny · Post by **thoeny** » 24 Mar 2006, 06:33

I am still not sure how much salt to add. I have a box of Aquarium Salt made from evaporated sea water, but the directions are not clear. I mean they are not for hermit crabs. It says for freshwater fish add 1 tsp. per 5 gal., for hatcing brine shrimp add 8 tsp. per gal., and for goldfish add 1/2 tsp per gal. I am not sure what is for hermit crabs. I have searched and cannot find the ansewr, so it must be obvious to all but me

Thanks for the help with their water dishes. That is what I wanted to do. I want to use a sponge and couple of small shells per dish, but still give them room to get wet if they want. Thank you, Sherry

hyper.mum · Post by **hyper.mum** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:49

I personally use a 2-3 litre jug add approx. 2 tablespoons salt, then add approx. 2 litres of dechlor water, allow to dissole and test with hydrometer, if it floats within the coloured range its safe(if it sinks add more salt, floats too high add more water), although I would recommend you store in a throughly cleaned bottle (with lid) for a few days, give it a good shake, test agin and then you should feel comfortable enough with adding to the crabitat. This way you can make up a few bottles and have them ready to go, just have that hydrometer close by ...

Hopefully this helps explain a little better ...

thoeny · Post by **thoeny** » 24 Mar 2006, 12:23

Thank you. that explains it perfectly. Just want to make sure I get it right. Want them to be happy.

hyper.mum · Post by **hyper.mum** » 24 Mar 2006, 15:37

No probs at all, glad I could help a little

hermiesrokmysox · Post by **hermiesrokmysox** » 25 Mar 2006, 11:45

good picture/instrustions!
I use instant Ocean, but i am guessing regualer sea salt works just as easily!!

krazykrablady · Post by **krazykrablady** » 25 Mar 2006, 14:04

I use the instant ocean as well... it was easy to mix, the directions were quite simple...

hermiesrokmysox · Post by **hermiesrokmysox** » 08 May 2006, 08:23

yep! its real strong though, it goes by 10 gallons!!

so my dad does the math for adding it to 1 gallon! lol

Jaci · Post by **Jaci** » 08 May 2006, 10:11

same here with the instant ocean. the kind that i got has calcium in it which is good for crabs. mine love both the salt water and the fresh water ponds. wendy, my biggest, investigated the salt water when i first put it in, she spent tons of time in there, i had to replenish it often. but about a week later she went under and had a successful molt.

New to Hermit Crabs, 2?, Saline water & how much is too

New to Hermit Crabs, 2?, Saline water & how much is too

still not sure about saline water.