HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi! I've just finished modifying the wheel to make it crab-friendly. Now that I'm done with it, I'm not sure how to hang it up :/. How did you all set yours up? At first I thought command hooks, but with the movement of the wheel being used I don't think it would be very stable.
Any suggestions?

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Could you rest it on the floor? Zip tie it to the lid? (Command hooks would work well IMO, stick it on the side and it should be good to go)

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Well... I started with command strips. I got sick of the hooks falling down (weight of jumbo crabs I guess). I then drilled some wholes in the tank rim lip (pic) and started using zip ties... Havent had a problem since.

I think @GotButterflies uses the velcro command strips to hang it, then ties hemp string to the metal part of stand, and then (lol) duct tapes the string to the outside of the tank for extra support.

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I just put mine right on the sub and the crabs enjoy climbing up the back of the stand and playing a silly game where it seems like they are trying to see who can stand on the top of the wheel the longest before being flung off lol. I was worried about rust at first but so far so good. Theses silent spinners are pretty heavily coated.

You're correct Daws! I use the command hooks, but use the velcro backs (Velcro command strips are sold for hanging picture frames) Then I use rope to tie the wheels up for extra support and duct tape that part on the outside of the tank. That way if the command hooks fail, they have the double support of the rope.

This way allows me to hang the wheels higher than the substrate. I then put a huge rock for them to climb onto to access the wheel.

I personally don't like setting the wheel onto the substrate. That's me.

Edit: Btw - doing it this way - you hang the wheel upside down

Second edit: Usually by modifying the wheel - you want the craft mesh to extend outside of the wheel like in Daws pics. Crabs extend their legs when they walk. This way they can walk normal when walking the wheel

Thanks for all the quick answers everyone! I'm thinking of either hanging it on the back with command strips and hemp cord, or setting it on the sub. If I set it on the sub, I was thinking of attaching it to a piece of slate to weigh it down so it doesn't fall over.

Also I guess I have to take off the craft mesh and make it wider. How far should it stick out of the edge?

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Mine comes out about 3 inches. I cut it about 6 inches wide I think. (Been a while, don't really remember lol). That particular wheel (6.5 in) is too small for my jumbos. I tried a 12 in and its huge. Need to find one for them.

Width depends on how big the crabs are. As long as it's around the width (plus a couple inches) of their leg span, all will be good... You still place some mesh inside so they have traction there too, just cut a wider piece.

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I used the bathroom command hooks (wheel is upside down). I haven’t had any issues with them falling off. But I’m thinking of switching over to the zip ties like Daws409 because i want to build up the sub more


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I found a salad spinner at a thrift store and it looks perfect for a "hamster" wheel. Lol. I just have to figure out how to set it up.

Do you have a picture? Maybe I can help you brainstorm some ideas

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Da_Stos208 wrote:Do you have a picture? Maybe I can help you brainstorm some ideas

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Thank you. It's nice and big. The inside part spins nicely. So I can put it right on the floor. But how do I attach it?

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Hmm... I'm assuming the green part spins inside the clear part. If you can remove the green part from the plastic part, you could drill holes in the clear plastic part and put zipties through them, the use them as "loops" to hook onto some command hooks.

If the green part doesn't come off, then maybe fit a hole puncher in between the two layers and squeeze really hard to male holes through it? lol.

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Here i was and just be totally getto and get a screwdriver (better yet, a drill) and just make holes and then use zipties lile you mentioned above.

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Da_Stos208 wrote:Hmm... I'm assuming the green part spins inside the clear part. If you can remove the green part from the plastic part, you could drill holes in the clear plastic part and put zipties through them, the use them as "loops" to hook onto some command hooks.

If the green part doesn't come off, then maybe fit a hole puncher in between the two layers and squeeze really hard to male holes through it? lol.

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Yes, the green part comes out. That's a good idea. Thanks. However...even in a 40 gal tank, there's still not ENOUGH room for everything. I am not getting a bigger tank.

Cherylco55 wrote:

Da_Stos208 wrote:Do you have a picture? Maybe I can help you brainstorm some ideas

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Thank you. It's nice and big. The inside part spins nicely. So I can put it right on the floor. But how do I attach it?

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That was a brilliant idea you had there to use this as a wheel! To bad it's so big though. Kaytee brand make a nice small 4.5 inch silent spinner wheel that might be better for u if u have lil guys.