HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Just wondering what every one does- if anything- to do a general upkeep of their tank.
As a fact of life crabs will poo, do people just let it decompose in the sub or do you clean out the top layer of sub every now and then?
Just wondering how people do regular tank maintenance.

Every once in a while I will take out everything and wipe down the tank and scoop up the gunk from the top of the substrate. Usually the poo doesn't cause any harm, nor any other bits, but it's always nice to clean it up every now and then.

Dishes and pools are washed often. Spot cleaning food that's been pulled around is done frequently too.
Once in a while I pull everything out, scoop nasty spots on the surface, smooth, and moisten as needed. Decorations and extra shells get washed too, as well as wiping down the glass. I don't have a set time to do this, just when I feel it needs it.
Then about once a year I pull everything out, substrate included. I sift through it well, replacing/adding as needed, giving it all a good mix and remoistening if it needs it. Everything else gets washed at this time too.

Thanks guys, I guess now that there is more traffic in my tank uv been thinking about how I should go in there every so often to clean their crud out lol.

CallaLily wrote:Dishes and pools are washed often. Spot cleaning food that's been pulled around is done frequently too.
Once in a while I pull everything out, scoop nasty spots on the surface, smooth, and moisten as needed. Decorations and extra shells get washed too, as well as wiping down the glass. I don't have a set time to do this, just when I feel it needs it.
Then about once a year I pull everything out, substrate included. I sift through it well, replacing/adding as needed, giving it all a good mix and remoistening if it needs it. Everything else gets washed at this time too.

I am trying to figure out the best way to do a deep clean with molters. With 27 there is always going to be someone down. I don't plan on doing it for quite a long time, but it never hurts to be prepared.

KellyCrabbieLove wrote: I am trying to figure out the best way to do a deep clean with molters. With 27 there is always going to be someone down. I don't plan on doing it for quite a long time, but it never hurts to be prepared.

This is my concern too. I only have 8 but I only see 3 up at the moment. Do I just keep taking out the ones that are up until I have them all? I really don't want to subject my crabs to the temporary tank for more than a week or so, since it's so much tinier than their permanent tank (55 gal vs like 5 gal).

I try my best to pick a time when I'm disturbing as few as possible and have ISOs ready if needed. I've never had a loss as a result of a deep clean - the main issue there, imo, is if they're done too often. Running a temp tank to move over crabs as they surface is a good idea if it's something you can do (with proper space and conditions if they'll be in there for an extended time) . You certainly don't have to do a deep clean. Many crabbers don't.

Good to know! Thanks for the info as always.

You're welcome.