HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello, so over the weekend we went to Virginia beach and we saw several jumbo crabs and had an in depth convo with one of the ladies about how people don't know how to take care of them and they pass quickly. So we decided to hunt each of the large ones down along the strip and buy them. Came home and bought a 125 gallon tank to house them. I have been reading over the past week or so on how to take care of crabs as we bought small ones a week ago but now that I have this massive tank I need more info and how to properly set up my tank so that they have the best chance of survival. I'll add a pic of the tank in the comments.

Just_saving_crabs wrote:Hello, so over the weekend we went to Virginia beach and we saw several jumbo crabs and had an in depth convo with one of the ladies about how people don't know how to take care of them and they pass quickly. So we decided to hunt each of the large ones down along the strip and buy them. Came home and bought a 125 gallon tank to house them. I have been reading over the past week or so on how to take care of crabs as we bought small ones a week ago but now that I have this massive tank I need more info and how to properly set up my tank so that they have the best chance of survival. I'll add a pic of the tank in the comments.

Hi! That's awesome that you would run out and get 125 gal tank to rescue hermit crabs! Since I'm still pretty new at this and don't know about jumbos I will just ask a basic question. How deep is your substrate? It has to be 3 times the height of your largest crab. Oh, and the pools should be deep enough for them to submerge, but with a way to easily get out. I'm sure others with jumbo experience can add more info.

@jclee has jumbos, she can give advice!

I really like that you went with the 125, that's so sweet to the crabs.
The tank looks super empty, plenty of room!

It was 6 inches but read they need 12 so went and got more sand so already working on that.

Just_saving_crabs wrote:It was 6 inches but read they need 12 so went and got more sand so already working on that.

Make sure you have fresh water and salt water. I use Walmart gallon spring water. For both. And instant ocean to make salt water pour some of the gallon out and add half cup of instant ocean to spring water then you have a whole gallon of fresh and a gallon of salt water change frequently like every other day or two just make sure they have fresh of both. Also go to hermitcrabpatch.com for food and supplies they are the best. All my crabs are big fat and healthy I have 5 large crabs in a 70 gallon tank living quite well. For years now. Make sure you have gauges too. Keep temp and humidity at 75 80. Glass tops are better and have natural day light bulb and blue light at night for moon light mimic I got the led moon light off Amazon. Definitely get them a moss pit too. And keep a spray bottle with fresh water as well to keep moss moist and the substrate too. Don't spray crabs they don't like it. They do breathe moister/humidity in the air they have gills wipe tank with white vinegar and water mix keeps the mold away

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StarGirlxo wrote:

Just_saving_crabs wrote:It was 6 inches but read they need 12 so went and got more sand so already working on that.

Make sure you have fresh water and salt water. I use Walmart gallon spring water. For both. And instant ocean to make salt water pour some of the gallon out and add half cup of instant ocean to spring water then you have a whole gallon of fresh and a gallon of salt water change frequently like every other day or two just make sure they have fresh of both. Also go to hermitcrabpatch.com for food and supplies they are the best. All my crabs are big fat and healthy I have 5 large crabs in a 70 gallon tank living quite well. For years now. Make sure you have gauges too. Keep temp and humidity at 75 80. Glass tops are better and have natural day light bulb and blue light at night for moon light mimic I got the led moon light off Amazon. Definitely get them a moss pit too. And keep a spray bottle with fresh water as well to keep moss moist and the substrate too. Don't spray crabs they don't like it. They do breathe moister/humidity in the air they have gills wipe tank with white vinegar and water mix keeps the mold away

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Thank you. It's a work in progress currently as we just came home with them yesterday. I did run out and grab a moss pit a little big ago. Working on adding more to the bottom layer this week and plan on making a second layer soon. Thank you so much for the info. I don't see mine eating much but I know they are drinking. I have been changing the food out every other day and water daily.

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Just_saving_crabs wrote:

StarGirlxo wrote:

Just_saving_crabs wrote:It was 6 inches but read they need 12 so went and got more sand so already working on that.

Make sure you have fresh water and salt water. I use Walmart gallon spring water. For both. And instant ocean to make salt water pour some of the gallon out and add half cup of instant ocean to spring water then you have a whole gallon of fresh and a gallon of salt water change frequently like every other day or two just make sure they have fresh of both. Also go to hermitcrabpatch.com for food and supplies they are the best. All my crabs are big fat and healthy I have 5 large crabs in a 70 gallon tank living quite well. For years now. Make sure you have gauges too. Keep temp and humidity at 75 80. Glass tops are better and have natural day light bulb and blue light at night for moon light mimic I got the led moon light off Amazon. Definitely get them a moss pit too. And keep a spray bottle with fresh water as well to keep moss moist and the substrate too. Don't spray crabs they don't like it. They do breathe moister/humidity in the air they have gills wipe tank with white vinegar and water mix keeps the mold away

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Thank you. It's a work in progress currently as we just came home with them yesterday. I did run out and grab a moss pit a little big ago. Working on adding more to the bottom layer this week and plan on making a second layer soon. Thank you so much for the info. I don't see mine eating much but I know they are drinking. I have been changing the food out every other day and water daily.

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Meant to send with updated photos.

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Just_saving_crabs wrote:

Just_saving_crabs wrote:

StarGirlxo wrote:Make sure you have fresh water and salt water. I use Walmart gallon spring water. For both. And instant ocean to make salt water pour some of the gallon out and add half cup of instant ocean to spring water then you have a whole gallon of fresh and a gallon of salt water change frequently like every other day or two just make sure they have fresh of both. Also go to hermitcrabpatch.com for food and supplies they are the best. All my crabs are big fat and healthy I have 5 large crabs in a 70 gallon tank living quite well. For years now. Make sure you have gauges too. Keep temp and humidity at 75 80. Glass tops are better and have natural day light bulb and blue light at night for moon light mimic I got the led moon light off Amazon. Definitely get them a moss pit too. And keep a spray bottle with fresh water as well to keep moss moist and the substrate too. Don't spray crabs they don't like it. They do breathe moister/humidity in the air they have gills wipe tank with white vinegar and water mix keeps the mold away

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Thank you. It's a work in progress currently as we just came home with them yesterday. I did run out and grab a moss pit a little big ago. Working on adding more to the bottom layer this week and plan on making a second layer soon. Thank you so much for the info. I don't see mine eating much but I know they are drinking. I have been changing the food out every other day and water daily.

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Meant to send with updated photos.

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Awesome !!!!!!

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StarGirlxo wrote:

Just_saving_crabs wrote:

Just_saving_crabs wrote:Thank you. It's a work in progress currently as we just came home with them yesterday. I did run out and grab a moss pit a little big ago. Working on adding more to the bottom layer this week and plan on making a second layer soon. Thank you so much for the info. I don't see mine eating much but I know they are drinking. I have been changing the food out every other day and water daily.

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Meant to send with updated photos.

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Awesome !!!!!!

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Also Use egg shells from hard boiled eggs I keep them in the freezer not sure if it's my Florida climate but cuttle bone brings food mites. Get larger reptile dishes for the water the stone looking ones. Give them more to limb on and hide in to stay high in the tank they love to climb and hide and sleep above ground
I even feed mine in a dish in their tree. Keeps bugs away too
But not too high don't want them to climb out and escape make it like a terrarium more a forest than a beach.

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StarGirlxo wrote:

StarGirlxo wrote:

Just_saving_crabs wrote:Meant to send with updated photos.

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Awesome !!!!!!

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Also Use egg shells from hard boiled eggs I keep them in the freezer not sure if it's my Florida climate but cuttle bone brings food mites. Get larger reptile dishes for the water the stone looking ones. Give them more to limb on and hide in to stay high in the tank they love to climb and hide and sleep above ground
I even feed mine in a dish in their tree. Keeps bugs away too
But not too high don't want them to climb out and escape make it like a terrarium more a forest than a beach.

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Thank you we are working on adding a second level. Funds kinda got tight after spending well over $600 for what is there but we plan to slowly add more and more.

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Just_saving_crabs wrote:

StarGirlxo wrote:

StarGirlxo wrote:Awesome !!!!!!

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Also Use egg shells from hard boiled eggs I keep them in the freezer not sure if it's my Florida climate but cuttle bone brings food mites. Get larger reptile dishes for the water the stone looking ones. Give them more to limb on and hide in to stay high in the tank they love to climb and hide and sleep above ground
I even feed mine in a dish in their tree. Keeps bugs away too
But not too high don't want them to climb out and escape make it like a terrarium more a forest than a beach.

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Thank you we are working on adding a second level. Funds kinda got tight after spending well over $600 for what is there but we plan to slowly add more and more.

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Here are update pics of mine.
Its Very lived in now

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I think it's awesome that you went with a large aquarium to start and jumped in! It looks great, I can't see anything they need and don't have. All the extras you add over time with just give them more possibilities to roam!

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Upgraded, salt water on the left and fresh on Roth right. 2 moss pits, second level where shells are and wood underneath for climbing.

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Just_saving_crabs wrote:Upgraded, salt water on the left and fresh on Roth right. 2 moss pits, second level where shells are and wood underneath for climbing.

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Wow looks awesome

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