HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I would like to add another crab to my tank but am not sure what the right way to do it is.

Currently there are two crabs in the tank. At least one is alive, bc I notice some stuff moved around in the tank in the morning. However, I have yet to see either one and it's going on a couple weeks now.

After much reading on this site I think my sub should be deeper, so i want to add new sub as well. Also, I'd like to add two food containers to be used for sw and fw, as I've seen on the forum.

So, my question is, can I do this all at once (put in new sub, sw & fw bowls, add new crab & basically disturb the whole tank in order to rearrange it) even though my two crabs are buried during the day (but at least one comes out at night)? Or, how should I go about this?

Also, I've been trying to grasp the whole lighting thing. I would like some light source for viewing at night and during the day (currently using a flashlight to see into the tank better lol). I have a screen lid with Sara wrap and towels on top. It's a 10 gallon, but will upgrade it in the fitire, so don't want to sink a ton of $$ into it, but it would be nice to be able to see the tank better. What's the best option for lighting and what kind should I get?

Thank you in advance!



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You can do that, but I'd just be as gentle on the crabs as possible as to not stress them out.
I wouldn't personally shine a bright light to see them after the lights go out, but that's me.

Do you have any climbs for them to play on? I have ideas that you can use. Getting cholla wood, and wrapping twine string around it, they love to climb and chew it.
What is your substrate made from?

Fanatic wrote:You can do that, but I'd just be as gentle on the crabs as possible as to not stress them out.
I wouldn't personally shine a bright light to see them after the lights go out, but that's me.

Do you have any climbs for them to play on? I have ideas that you can use. Getting cholla wood, and wrapping twine string around it, they love to climb and chew it.
What is your substrate made from?

Thank you! Okay so no nightlight. Got it. I have a huge piece of driftwood that goes to the top of the tank and a few pieces of Cholla wood. I do have twine so will wrap some around the wood. Thank you for the reply and the idea!

My substrate is eco earth, without any sand.

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Sounds great!
Can’t wait to hear more.


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You may want to get a piece of plexiglass cut for your tank top. I had one of mine cut at Michaels Crafts in the framing department. A 10 gal. would be an easy cut. If you have a Lowes store you can also get a piece cut there too. Both pieces were around $10. They work great, you'll need to turn them over every couple of days as they will sorta warp a little. Just get a real good measurement and have it cut no more than 1/8 to 1/4 inch larger than the cover. It's worked great for me to see everything going on in the tanks. Good luck!

U can get a purple moon glo bulb for night time viewing. It casts a blue/purple light that's just bright enough for u to see them do their crabby thing but it dose not disturb them. Some people use red but there is some debate as to wheather or not they can actually see it and thus be disturbed by it so I'd stick with the purple. Also GotButterflies has a totally awesome moon light night lamp that is actually a small full moon! It's very cool and I plan on getting one eventually!

Fanatic wrote:Sounds great!
Can’t wait to hear more.


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lvsmypets wrote:You may want to get a piece of plexiglass cut for your tank top. I had one of mine cut at Michaels Crafts in the framing department. A 10 gal. would be an easy cut. If you have a Lowes store you can also get a piece cut there too. Both pieces were around $10. They work great, you'll need to turn them over every couple of days as they will sorta warp a little. Just get a real good measurement and have it cut no more than 1/8 to 1/4 inch larger than the cover. It's worked great for me to see everything going on in the tanks. Good luck!

SO you just set the glass on top of the tank. or on top of a mesh lid on the tank

Also -- plaguing question: will they be able to breathe with a glass lid covering the top? I do not have an air bubbler in the tank. My neighbor said she thought they would suffocate if I sealed the top mesh lid with saran wrap (which is what I am using until I get a glass top). Is that true?

I've had a plexi glass cover, which I got at Hobby Lobby for about $7, on top of the mesh lid. It really works wonders. I finally have my humidity and temp up. Since the edges are a bit warped, I just put something on a couple of the edges to keep it down. And as I've read on here, they do get enough air, even if you open the lid to feed them just once a day.

Cherylco55 wrote:I've had a plexi glass cover, which I got at Hobby Lobby for about $7, on top of the mesh lid. It really works wonders. I finally have my humidity and temp up. Since the edges are a bit warped, I just put something on a couple of the edges to keep it down. And as I've read on here, they do get enough air, even if you open the lid to feed them just once a day.

Yay! Thank you! I'll check out hobby lobby. What section did you find your lid in?

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Crabsalicious wrote:

Cherylco55 wrote:I've had a plexi glass cover, which I got at Hobby Lobby for about $7, on top of the mesh lid. It really works wonders. I finally have my humidity and temp up. Since the edges are a bit warped, I just put something on a couple of the edges to keep it down. And as I've read on here, they do get enough air, even if you open the lid to feed them just once a day.

Yay! Thank you! I'll check out hobby lobby. What section did you find your lid in?

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That's a good question. Lol. Around where the crafts are. You can always ask them.