HCA: Hermit Crab Association

It's been a while since I've been on the forums, my crabbies are doing just fine. I've got 5 atm, I re-did my tank a few days ago as the crabs are always pulling down the climbing walls and stuff. While redoing it I noticed I didn't have much in there for them to climb on, so I'm wanting to see if anyone has any ideas as to what I can do to make it better. I've been checking Craigslist, letgo, and offerup, for supplies i may be able to use, but no luck yet! I'll leave some pics of my tank Feel free to comment

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Lovely tank! How did you make the plastic plant wall? I always like hanging some netting for them to climb anywhere that I have a bare wall that I don't need to look through. That might be something to consider.

Thank you! I actually got them at the 99 cents store. I plan on getting more as they love climbing on them

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Love your tank! If you want to give them more climbing/hiding options there's lots you can do. You can get a long piece of driftwood at a pet/aquarium store, or you can get these wirey fake vines they sell for reptile enclosures. You can even just bring in some sticks from the outside (as long as they are not any kind of evergreen, deciduous only and as long as you know the tree is not treated with anu perticides/antifungals) and bake it in your oven to kill any bugs/mold abd add it to your tat. I used forest harvested sticks for years in my gecko tank.

Also you can string up burlap around your walls to make the entire inside climbable space, but I definitely recommend getting something to provide more cover and climbing area through the center of your tank. The more cover they have the safer they feel and the more you will get to see them

ROSIEonFIRE wrote:Love your tank! If you want to give them more climbing/hiding options there's lots you can do. You can get a long piece of driftwood at a pet/aquarium store, or you can get these wirey fake vines they sell for reptile enclosures. Also you can string up burlap around your walls to make the entire inside climbable space, but I definitely recommend getting something to provide more cover and climbing area through the center of your tank. The more cover they have the safer they feel and the more you will get to see them

I'll definitely check out the reptile section, forgot they have that good stuff. Thank you!!

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Looks nice! Have you used authentic fish net? I drape that around my tank. Also, if you have pesticide and fertilizer free trees that are on the safe food list around your yard, you can use branches from those for them to climb on also

I use those plastic leafy mats on the back wall of my tank too and my crabs love them! U could put up a few more of those or a coco climb wall. Also maybe another hidey. I have one that I made out of a plastic flower pot from the dollar store I just cut a door into it with a box cutter and turned it upside down.

GotButterflies wrote:Looks nice! Have you used authentic fish net? I drape that around my tank. Also, if you have pesticide and fertilizer free trees that are on the safe food list around your yard, you can use branches from those for them to climb on also

Know any places that might sell those nets? I made my own once, not sure what happened to it. Think I threw it out once I upgraded them from the tote lol. Also would the branches become moldy due to the humidity in the tank? Thanks

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Happyhermiehome wrote:I use those plastic leafy mats on the back wall of my tank too and my crabs love them! U could put up a few more of those or a coco climb wall. Also maybe another hidey. I have one that I made out of a plastic flower pot from the dollar store I just cut a door into it with a box cutter and turned it upside down.

Nice!! I'll check out the dollar store and see if I can find more hideys. Thanks :,)

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friesb4uxbabe wrote:

GotButterflies wrote:Looks nice! Have you used authentic fish net? I drape that around my tank. Also, if you have pesticide and fertilizer free trees that are on the safe food list around your yard, you can use branches from those for them to climb on also

Know any places that might sell those nets? I made my own once, not sure what happened to it. Think I threw it out once I upgraded them from the tote lol. Also would the branches become moldy due to the humidity in the tank? Thanks

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If they did it wouldn't happen over night. You can always just toss them and pick u p some new ones. Also re where to get fishnet, just wanted to suggest organic burlap as an accessible alternative. You can get a roll of 100% natural burlap at any garden store or hardware store. Super cheap and they can eat ir!

Thank you, I didn't know that!! I'll see if I can find some online to pick up in store

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friesb4uxbabe wrote:It's been a while since I've been on the forums, my crabbies are doing just fine. I've got 5 atm, I re-did my tank a few days ago as the crabs are always pulling down the climbing walls and stuff. While redoing it I noticed I didn't have much in there for them to climb on, so I'm wanting to see if anyone has any ideas as to what I can do to make it better. I've been checking Craigslist, letgo, and offerup, for supplies i may be able to use, but no luck yet! I'll leave some pics of my tank Feel free to comment

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I turned a plastic bin upside down, after making doors on both sides. Then put a bin on top, filled with moss and shells. I put craft mesh over the side of the top bin to grab onto. Stryper actually climbed up there. Then I have a staircase bridge (?) Leading into a moss pit. I don't think he uses the steps though. Lol.

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Very cool. Does the muffin tray feeding help you keep track of which foods they like the most?

I love that idea!! Might just steal that from you!

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jclee wrote:Very cool. Does the muffin tray feeding help you keep track of which foods they like the most?

That's actually a paint tray