Cleaning Day Process: The way I work

So I cleaned out the tank today and decided to walk you guys through what I do for my dynamic duo.

I am going to trow this out there, and some people might not like it, but I only do a full sand replacement about every 3 months now.
It seems like its too far and few between but for me its not. These guys in the wild leave their food hoardes to rot in the ground so having tiny bits of shredded food here and there doesnt seem to bother them. February will be 2 years that I have had these guys and its the longest I have seen anywhere that anyones been able to keep them going. So I would like to think that what im doing is okay for mine. 
Every week I scoop out what poo I see (looks like tiny black cylindrical tubes) Every month-month and 1/2 I scoop out the yucky looking sand and mix in some fresh, and every 2-3 I full replace like I did today. Usually around then it starts to smell a bit strange.

ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU KNOW whether or not your crab is molting before doing this type of thing. you never want to dig up a molting crab. I make sure I see both my crabs out 3 nights in a row.

I grab multiple hole-less grocery bags, two carries that the kiddos cant escape from (taller than their legs and body outstretched sideways), 2+ gallons of spring water or treated water, a 50 bag of natural unbleached play sand (I use quickcrete brand from lowes $3.57), my sprayer, two old socks, and a scoop I got at the dollar store that looks like it would be for flour or coffee beans or something. 

First I pull the tank a bit from the edge for easier access and pull all decor and bowls out that I can see (things get buried). I then begin scraping and scooping bits at a time into the bags to toss. Do this very carefully so you dont accidentally find a tunneled crab and break legs. I scrape and scoop from low water side up because it gives you 6+ inches before possibly finding one. 

Scoop as shown

I dont have pictures of all of the steps that follow, but when you do find a crab and have them up and running around now is the time to pull them out. I put old socks on my hands to make a sort of cloth web hand. It saves you from being pinched and helps scoop them up. I get a container ready and try and grab them, sometimes i put the container on its side and scoot them into it. Other times I get them to pinch a handing part of the sock to swing them in. Either way I get them both out and secured, I usually spritz them down and give them some leaves while I work the rest of the tank.

Next I get as much sand out as possible, hose it down with some soap and water, rinse thoroughly and replace. I then add an inch of water to the bottom and begin pouring my sand. This helps keep the dust down as you pour.

Putting in water first keeps dust down

 I keep pouring sand and adding water as needed, stirring occasionally to evenly moisten, you want it to be sand castle building moist. I then position water dishes, hidden hides and small rocks and create a slope. You want it high on the non water side and sloping low to the dishes. This naturally lets them find water. I then add the fake leaves, including the bunches you see me adding below.

Add decor! Leaves rocks and branches give them climbing and hiding spots

 I also then reclean any sand from the dishes, make one fresh and one salt. I also create a fake burrow here and there to get them started and give them a place to go when I put them back in.

See, Nice slope. Leaves hides and rocks

I then usually photograph them which is a hard job and will be shown off in the next post, and return them! Secure lid and turn on their heat lamp =]

Look, Jack is at the freshwater! Bubbles already hid herself in that rock hide.

This is my WHOLE shelf that they are the bottom of. I convinced my boyfriend to build it for me haha. It houses the crabs, my Grandma Leopard Gecko, Kali. And all (currently) 13 hatchling Crested geckos. The adults are on another unit. 

Most of my other critters, and some artwork and decorations ;)

Hope this helped! Onward to the photospam of babies!!!!!