HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Today when I was changing food and water, I noticed that the substrate in our tank was vibrating. Apparently the two pumps that we use on the 'tat are causing this vibration. Now I'm wondering if this has been going on forever and I just never noticed, or if this is something new for some reason, and I'm also wondering if it is detrimental or annoying for the crabs.

I'm assuming you mean air pumps. Are they in the tank?

The air pumps are not in the tank. They are on the tank stand. WE have a Tropic Aire humidifier attached to a pump and the bubblers for their water pools are attached to a pump.

I'm interested to know what others think about the vibration. I'm planning to add bubblers and want to put the air pump on the top of the tank.

The only time the vibration from the air pump was noticeable in the crabitat (to me) was when I had it on top of my exoterra/40B. I moved it down onto the stand because I found it pretty annoying. I also placed it on top of a towel to try and cushion it some. Occasionally something will cause it to shift and I can feel/hear it again until I readjust it. I don't know if it disturbs the crabs at all though.

Per CallaLily, when my Whisper is shifted it vibrates its as if someone's table is ready and the pager is going off in a constant stream. Then I give it a mini nudge and it will be almost inaudible. Putting it on top of a thick sock or towel would probably help, but mine doesn't shift often. I doubt the pump vibration reaches inside my tat.
My pools, on the other hand, sit against a corner of the tat, wedged into the sub. I can definitely feel this vibration against the center brace over the top o the tat. I doubt it bothers the crabs as they're often found clinging to and climbing the brace, the tubes connected to the airstones, and also the tiny computer fan which the tubing leads to, even sleeping on top if the fan as it buzzes away. PPs and Es have each done all of the above (and left much poop along the way).


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When I did have an air pump set up, it never seemed to bother my crabs, just me. I hated the annoying sound it made when it scooted over to the glass. Even worse, the crabs seemed to bury near it. I am known for having the mentally ill crabs though. haha.