Hermit Crab Shells

[surfergirl]

I just read the post about the Scarlet Crab. I'm so new at this I was amazed when I learned hermits molted and they like to change shells! I just bought 4 of them last week to help with my really bad brown algae problem. I've lost 2 so far (anyone have any ideas why?) so now I'm wondering about what I need to provide for my remaining 2 hermits. Should I get larger shells? How many? Where do I get them? How often to they molt? What temp range to they need? I also have snails to help with the algae problem. Is there something specific I should be doing for them too? Thanks for all your help! Sorry for the barage of questions!!!

 

[oozy]

HI!
scarlets do molt, it looks just like they were killed... the other week i say a body and thought that it was dead, so later i saw all of my scarlets in one area and remembered that they molt.
so perhapse your crabs molted and they are still alive...
i have had 5 of mine for about 4 months, and i dont have any shells for them, i am looking into obtaining shells, but so far then are on their own. and doing well.
i also drop some extra flake food at night and its gon in the mourning.
-Oozy-

 

[chopper320]

The best place for shells is a hobby and craft shop such as Micheals or Hobby Lobby. I bought a basket for $2 and it had approximately 50 shells of all shapes and sizes. If you buy them from a petstore you will end up paying nearly $1 for 1 shell!!
Just take a small bucket of saltwater from your tank and give them a good rinse b4 placing them in the tank just to be sure they are clean

 

[krustytheclownfish]

Surfergirl,
Great, now I have that Beach Boys song in my head! How long have you had the tank set-up? If you're still in the cycle, that could be what killed your crabs. Their care is pretty simple. Hermit crabs are one of the hardier inverts. and usually just scavange the left over food and stuff in the tank. Temp. is same as for most fish. If you don't have any fish yet and depending on how much algea you have in there for them to graze on, maybe just through in a little food for them...not a lot though. As said before, they do need larger shells to grow into eventually. Someone on this bb mentioned that Cosco sells a bunch for cheap. Just an idea. Oh by the way, welcome!

 

[goofieones]

What was your salt level? Usually inverts need a higher level than a FO tank. Also what fish did you have in the tank, any that could eat them?