HCA: Hermit Crab Association

You all really helped me with the second story problem but now I have another question! Is there any cheap houses/climbing materials and items you can use in a tank? I already seen some people use small plastic planting pots as houses and some people use mesh! But I’m curious. Also do you guys think using some cheap Tupperware would be safe to use as drinking bowls? I have the money to buy some Little Rock drinking bowls and food bowls I’d just rather save it in case there’s something else I need more. I live by the beach and I have a few semi big shells I will use for food unless you guys have a better suggestion (and yes I’m gonna boil and wash the shells before they come anywhere near my future hermit crabs) all and any ideas and suggestions are welcomed! I wanna make sure everything I do is safe for the crabs. One last thing! When I buy some sponges off Amazon should I clean them? And how do I clean them? How often do they need to be cleaned as well. I have a 29 gallon tank how many small sponges do you think I might need in my tank to help with the humidity! Thanks!


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TunaCreb wrote:You all really helped me with the second story problem but now I have another question! Is there any cheap houses/climbing materials and items you can use in a tank? I already seen some people use small plastic planting pots as houses and some people use mesh! But I’m curious. Also do you guys think using some cheap Tupperware would be safe to use as drinking bowls? I have the money to buy some Little Rock drinking bowls and food bowls I’d just rather save it in case there’s something else I need more. I live by the beach and I have a few semi big shells I will use for food unless you guys have a better suggestion (and yes I’m gonna boil and wash the shells before they come anywhere near my future hermit crabs) all and any ideas and suggestions are welcomed! I wanna make sure everything I do is safe for the crabs. One last thing! When I buy some sponges off Amazon should I clean them? And how do I clean them? How often do they need to be cleaned as well. I have a 29 gallon tank how many small sponges do you think I might need in my tank to help with the humidity! Thanks!


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Sponges aren’t really needed, but a moistened moss pit can help with humidity...plus they like to dig in the moss. I think they say that wet sponges are just a likely place to harbor bacteria and aren’t needed.

Def use Tupperware where possible! So many size options too. When using them for your pools, double up so that when you change out the water, you have a place holder and prevents from disturbing any future molters that might have dug under the pool. I use Tupperware lids for their food so it’s easier to access than a bowl bc it has just a small lip around the edge.

Also, you can get the small terracotta plant pots for cheap hides. They can climb on top of these as well bc they can grip the terracotta. Best part is that the flat tray that comes with it (where excess water would drain) is a great food dish too! You can also use mason jars and decorate them with greenery so it can be dark in there. I literally went through my kitchen cabinets and gardening stuff to find household items I could use!

Here’s pics of the terracotta planting pot and tray...first one might be hard to see back there. I usually have greenery hanging over it, but took I it out to clean while everyone’s under.


Hope this was helpful!


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I like using take out soup containers for my pools. I double them up and add a few stones to the lower ones that stays in the substrate. The stones keep a small gap so they don't stick together!

I have yet to see the purples in Crabbyland swim, but the pools should be deep enough to allow them to do so. Just make sure they can easily climb out.

For food dishes I have an assortment of plastic lids from peanut butter and mayo jars. They are free after you empty the jars.

Crabbyland is a 29 gallon!

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I found some cheap dollar tree tupperware that nest and it's worked so far. The nesting is a very good idea incase of a leak

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I took your advice! I found some Tupperware and items from the dollar store. This is just a temporary setup before I get sand and ecoearth. Does all of this look ok to you guys? I think I might need to add some fake grass or mess for them to be able to grip on the blue smooth plastic and the stand. All suggestions are appreciated! The planter is a plastic that’s very flimsy but durable. Let me know if anything is off! (And yes I’m gonna get some suction cups for my second story and secure the ladders! Also I was wondering can you use fake plants that you can get at Michaels? Thanks!



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I found natural rocks at the dollar tree that I disinfected and use in my Tupperware. I also found rope netting in the craft section at Walmart for about $4. It included about 10 sq feet I think. My crabs love to climb on this and it hasn’t molded for me. For a heating mat I found a 10”x20” on Amazon that was only $12.99! Very cheap for the size and wattage. It keeps my 20 gallon long at a nice 78°- 80°. Hope this helps!

It looks great. The only suggestion I would make is to put some shells or other flat item under the legs of the white rack. Once you add the substrate, the legs will start to sink otherwise.

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blackberry75 wrote:It looks great. The only suggestion I would make is to put some shells or other flat item under the legs of the white rack. Once you add the substrate, the legs will start to sink otherwise.

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thanks! I will


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The layout looks so good! I immediately thought of “pillow moss” to top the white rack...just a thought.

And I love greenery, gives more of their natural habitat, tropical vibe! I’ll let the others say which kind is safe...embarrassed to say I just cut fronds from my fake palm tree and cleaned them em up real good.


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