HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hey everyone!


New crab owner here! I'll be moving in a few weeks, so I'm trying to have a temporary setup until I can move and have a finished setup. My concern would be having to move the finished tank and the tunnels collapsing and causing bigger problems.

Right now I've got a tank set up with only EcoEarth, is that okay? Everything else seems fine and it's nice and humid in there, I just don't have any sand. The finished tank will have the sand mixture, I just have not had the chance to grab some and mix it. Will the crabs be okay on this until this coming weekend or so until I can go grab some sand? Is that fine?


Thanks for the replies!

I'd think as long as the heat and humidity are fine and if it's for a short time, it would be ok. My husband and I have a travel tank for when we get rescues ( we have driven for 10-12 hours in one day) and they made it home fine with just EE. Make sure they have all the water and food necessities. But, do you have any molters down?

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Xenocrab wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 25, 2019 6:33 pm

But, do you have any molters down?

That I'm aware of, no. I purposely made the EE only a few inches deep, as I had read that it doesn't hold form very well and I was concerned about it collapsing if they went down.

I have one who's only partially dug himself down.

I know there are crabbers who use only sand or only EE. the only downside I can think of is EE doesn't hold its shape well when the crabs tunnel but I'm not sure if that would make a difference in a temporary enclosure. it should hold humidity well though

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doth wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 25, 2019 7:05 pm

I know there are crabbers who use only sand or only EE. the only downside I can think of is EE doesn't hold its shape well when the crabs tunnel but I'm not sure if that would make a difference in a temporary enclosure. it should hold humidity well though

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I had read that too. I was thinking I'd be OK, but I've really become fascinated with these little guys and want to give them only the best. Thank you!

EE is just a bit fussy to keep at the right moisture level. A little too dry and they have trouble molting, a little too moist and it can rot and stink. Some people have no issues using it though, and it can help keep a humid tank.

For a very short period of time I don't think it would be bad. Days or weeks, I wouldn't do it. But that's just me.

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Now I'm concerned

Would no substrate be better than EE?? Until this weekend?

Ah crap, I'm missing a crab. Now I'm really worried. I can't seem to find where he could've buried and the substrate is very shallow. Oh boy...

No, substrate is a must

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RAHermits wrote:Now I'm concerned

Would no substrate be better than EE?? Until this weekend?

EE is fine to use by itself, just many dont reccomend it. I personally dont see an issue with using pure EE, it's just harder to get the right consistency for burrowing.

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I've used only EE ever since I started crabbing and haven't had many problems. Every once in a while, I do 'stir' it up and add water if needed. But, I've never had problems with consistency or anything.

I’ve used 100% EE for the ~10 years I’ve kept crabs. Never had any issues.


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