HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hey everyone! I'm about to begin a cleaning process for my main crabitat, since I discovered an infestation of grain mites yesterday. I heard that a thorough cleaning may not be enough to rid the crabitat of them completely, but I figured I'd give it a go since I really would prefer not to introduce predatory mites.
I'm going to start to clear out and bleach my 3 small-medium PP's current 20-gallon tank, but I have a 10-gallon that I'm planning on using as a temporary area for them. Is lining the bottom with paper towels, boiling their bowls and coconut hide in tap water, and misting them daily a sufficient setup for just a day or two? I couldn't find any posts on this topic, so just wanted to clarify before I did something that could accidentally harm my crabs!
Sorry if I'm spamming with these posts!

Instead of paper towels, I would suggest damp moss.

thanks! just the kind that you would find at a pet store? and are the paper towels harmful for them, because I used them a couple months ago, and I'm not sure if that may have had any health effects on them! sorry for all the questions, just want to make sure their care is the best I can make it!

Cal wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 03, 2020 10:09 am

thanks! just the kind that you would find at a pet store? and are the paper towels harmful for them, because I used them a couple months ago, and I'm not sure if that may have had any health effects on them! sorry for all the questions, just want to make sure their care is the best I can make it!

As long as there are no dyes and the moss hasn't been treated with anything. A lot of moss is like that at pet stores, so you just have to be careful which type you pick out.

I was able to buy a big bag of sphagnum moss at home depot for like $6.

Cal wrote:thanks! just the kind that you would find at a pet store? and are the paper towels harmful for them, because I used them a couple months ago, and I'm not sure if that may have had any health effects on them! sorry for all the questions, just want to make sure their care is the best I can make it!

Some crabbers prefer using moss in case the crabs try to eat their bedding. I’ve never had problems with paper towels, but it’s up to you.


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DevilNDisguise wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 03, 2020 10:18 am

As long as there are no dyes and the moss hasn't been treated with anything. A lot of moss is like that at pet stores, so you just have to be careful which type you pick out.

I was able to buy a big bag of sphagnum moss at home depot for like $6.

Thanks, that’s a good idea!

JoeHermits wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 03, 2020 10:20 am

Some crabbers prefer using moss in case the crabs try to eat their bedding. I’ve never had problems with paper towels, but it’s up to you.


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I think i’ll probably go with that, and just change them out frequently, since it’s only for a day or two. Thanks!