Hermit Crabs but no shells.

[FLReefGirl]

I have recently found 4 hermit crab bodies w/ legs but no shells? I haven't found extra/empty shells anywhere. What's going on?

[pogi pants]

are they still alive?
if they are, they've probably outgrown their shell and they're looking for a bigger one to move into. that's still kinda weird that the shells dissappeared though. do you have aggressive fish?

[FLReefGirl]

No, they are dead. But I still don't know where the shells are. I haven't pulled apart all my LR. I've looked in all the caves. I just see a hermit crab sitting out in the open in the sand w/ no shell and dead. This started to happen when I started adding the calcium buffer to increade my PH. PH hasn't moved and nothing else has died. Most of my fish are peaceful. I do have a couple damsels and a yellow tang but they are actually peaceful, neither bother with the crabs. I do have a cleaner shrimp but he's very small.

[FLReefGirl]

You're a Realtor too?!!!
We should exchange info.

[Melody]

Sounds like you're seeing 'molts' ......they sure can look like a dead hermit. My scarlet reef hermits hide for a few days after they molt.

First time I saw my red blood shrimp molt. I FREAKED....just knew it was dead, seeing it's body lying there. But, it was hiding till it's carapace hardened. I'm pretty sure that's whats going on with your hermits, that's the reason you are not seeing the shells. They are hidden in your rockwork.

[FLReefGirl]

Hi Melody, nice to hear from you again.
I thought when they molt they need a new shell too. They can molt and stay in the same shell? Well if that's the case I'll be on the look out. I've been trying to take a head count but sometimes that's easier said than done.

[reefnetworth]

plan for the for future when they outgrow their shells, Wal-Mart has shells in the hobby section. soak them in 0.25 bleach, to 1.0 parts water for about 4 hours and rinse them EXTREMELY well, and add them to your tank. your hermits wont fight or kill for a bigger shell that way. have a great weekend!

John M

[FLReefGirl]

Thanks for the advice John. I had a dead snail, dead when I bought it. I removed it, cleaned the shell and put it back in the tank. I'll check out Wal-Mart so I'm prepared.

[reefnetworth]

where is Lake Mary Florida? ive been all over both coast and have driven thousands of miles in FL. just courious! thanx,
John M

[Melody]

Originally posted by FLReefGirl
Hi Melody, nice to hear from you again.
I thought when they molt they need a new shell too. They can molt and stay in the same shell? Well if that's the case I'll be on the look out. I've been trying to take a head count but sometimes that's easier said than done.

Hi Ms. Florida,

Always good to come across your post. The hermits don't necessarily need larger shells the first couple molts but will eventually. Like, John said "just be prepared for the inevitable." How is your tank coming along? Hope all is well!

[reefnetworth]

has anyone told you the bio-wheel itself is a nitrate magnet. it will draw in (NO3) nitrate and when its full it releases it back into the tank? IMO, i would remove the wheel and you will be fine with just the (floss/carbon) filters inplace. thanx,
John M

[FLReefGirl]

Lake Mary is smack in between Daytona Beach and Orlando. It is considered North Orlando. Come for a visit, the weather is nice

[reefnetworth]

i rode a Ninja 900 from Nashville to Daytona with one stop for refill and restroom. big mistake my booty was sore after 12 hours on the road. do you have any rental properties? if so, PM me so we dont get deleted for buisness discussion on RC. thanx,
John M

[FLReefGirl]

I'm having a little issue w/ red slime algae at the moment but I'm working on it. I have Phosphate filter pads in the media chambers now and I finally got my Remora Pro w/ Mag 3 & prefilter. That's been running since Tuesday. Otherwise everyone is happy and healthy. My water params are all stable still, no movement. I'm learning as I go.

[FLReefGirl]

Wow thanks a long ride. Did you come for Bike week or Biketoberfest? I'll PM you.

Yaeh, 2 other people told me the same thing about the bio-wheel. I asked the LFS about it and they said they don't think it will produce enough to cause a problem. I thought about removing the wheels and leaving the unit for water flow/filtration. If I remove the wheels, just throw them out? Will I have enough beneficial bacteria in the tank at this point for the tank to survive.

[reefnetworth]

reduce additives and food, increase flow in those areas and do 25% water change every 3 days untill its gone. it usually takes about two weeks. its a little more trouble than buying chemicals but works better in the long run, because it can/will return. thanx,
John M

[FLReefGirl]

It seems to be worse at cave enterences and the front glass/sand line, not awful just ugly. I have a PH at each end of the tank. The bio-wheel towards the middle and the skimmer towards one end. How do you suggest I increase flow?

[FLReefGirl]

oh, I have cut back feeding from 2 x a day to 1. I started 2 days ago.

[reefnetworth]

yes, 51 pounds of rock is enough for (BB) it will also acumulate inside the filter on the walls and in your sand if you have any. (its not listed)yes again, it was Bike week, my brother in law is the southeast sales rep. for all Honda, Kawasaki, and KTM bikes. we had free passes and hotel accom.
if you feel like reading the most informative articles on reefkeeping, goto the "Reef Chemistry Forum" under Articles and sit back and print the ones most helpful and put them in a file folder or download into your computer. there is alot of knowledge available for free. no books to buy!!! thanx,
John M

[reefnetworth]

what brand PH and GPH? which direction are the pointed? i looked at your pic's, nice tank! i would aim them so that the flow hits each other in the middle. it will also help create a wave type motion when you get them set.
John M

[FLReefGirl]

Maxijet 900 PH, 230GPH each, one at each end pointed at each other. The bio-wheel is 400 GPH and that's not quite in the middle. I have 60 lbs of sand.
Is your B-I-L part of Seminole Power Sports in Sanford? That's not even 10 mins from here. I've been looking at some of the chemistry forum tonight. I'll keep reading.

[reefnetworth]

in a 55 i would use MJ-1200's, www.marinedepot.com has them cheaper than anyone. about $18.99+ shipping.
John M

[FLReefGirl]

Thanks for the compliment.
OK, I was thinking about increasing GPH the other day. I think for my size I should be a min of 1100 GPH. w/ the PH & bio-wheels I'm at 860.

[reefnetworth]

no he sells to every dealership in S.C., Tn, Ky, Ga, Fla, and Ala. if they order its through him and he places the orders through perspective manufactures.
P.S. sshhh!, they aint poor!!!
John M

[FLReefGirl]