My Rcc & Hermit Tank

[NovaFox]

Bringing this topic back to life!

Im very curious, and I guess worried about my hermits, the past 2 weeks, 1 had disappeared, no trace of it, atleast nothing noticable... a week later i noticed a 2nd of mine, the smallest, had burrowed under the soil, pretty deep at that. And Im just curious... how long do they stay under the soil? Its been some time now, and havent seen any activity in the sand at all... just a bit concerned... Did they die?!

 

[cuticom]

hermit crabs dig under to molt, they can stay below for up to six months, they can also go under to hibernate if their not happy with conditions.

Gotta say I'm not too sure that set up is good for hermits, I keep them myself. I can't see any form of heating in there, how do you keep the temperature stablea? hermit crabs need stable temps of 24-28 degrees Celsius. They need a humidity level at 70-80% I can't see any gauges in there... nor can I see anything in there to maintain humidity... Do you mist often or something?

The sand area as well is going to be way to wet with the water coming into it like that, there needs to be a glass piece between the water and the sand to ensure the sand doesn't get to wet or their going to either drown or be buried alive. The substrate should be just wet enough to allow the hermits to make tunnels without it collapsing, my guys have a massive tunnel system they've built them selves in their tank...

 

[NovaFox]

eep, well i just checked on them right know, dug one up (assuming his "tunnel" caved in on him), and one hiding under one of my rocks... I have a little tape measurement on the wall showing humidity level, it stays well around 75-80-82% Humidity... recently been thinking... well... maybe I should dedicate the tank to ONE species, not both... But what to do with the others?! I want to keep them... Actually, as im typing this, just thought of an OMG excellent idea! My friend is giving me back my 29 Gal! YAY. Now I can part them, but.. now who gets the bigger tank?! OMG Im excited now, I can keep them both happy! Any further suggestions, and comments, or suggestions for future tank set ups GREATLY appreciated. (Requirements etc...)

 

[cuticom]

Coconut fibre makes a better bedding for hermits, keeps the humidity up, isn't prone to collapse and doesn't stick to them. I use something called coco coir, you can get it as reptile bedding in a petstore or in the garden section at most stores, make sure it doesn't contain fertilizer or any additives.

They need a pyre saltwater bath and a freshwater bath deep enough for them to submerge in with plenty of things in them to climb out. They also need extra shells, about 4-5 per hermit. The tank also needs to be heated either by a heat globe and thermostat which is what i use or a heatmat, the temperature needs to be kept stable at about 26 degrees celsius.

 

[NovaFox]

Finally finished... RCCs seperated, Hermits have a new home! Tell me what you guys think.

Hermit Home

RCCs new Home (a little cloudy, but it will go away )

Im sure they will be happy now

 

[TylerFerretLord]

You have the RCC tank full of water?

I thought they required land as well?

 

[NovaFox]

lol ya, i worked on that after reading about it. (I mean its common sense, but for some reason, just wasnt thinking =X) Im going to post more pics after the erm, final? product.

 

[TylerFerretLord]

Sounds good.

Can't wait for pictures. I love crustaceans.

 

[NovaFox]

Just a thought, but other than decorations (driftwood, rocks, etc..) what other LIVING thing should, or COULD i add? If anything... Im thinking about a Dragon Goby, but would the crabs harass it?

 

[TylerFerretLord]

Shrimp that can be kept in brackish waters? Maybe?

I'd worry about them bothing fish.