HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I recently ordered some plastic aquarium plants from Amazon to decorate my crabitat with. I've had them in there for a few days now. Before I put them in, I soaked them in a vinegar/water mix (well water treated with prime) for about 30 mins. I dried them off well after. When I opened the lid to change out their food today, I noticed a slight plastic smell coming from the plants. Should I take them out? I already have them zip tied to the egg crate on the back of the tank. Thanks!!!

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Yeah, you may want to remove those and let them air out. I wouldn't put them back in until they stop giving off fumes.

JoeHermits wrote:Yeah, you may want to remove those and let them air out. I wouldn't put them back in until they stop giving off fumes.

Thanks! I did a check last night and didn't really smell anything anymore. I'm going to do another check today when I change their food.

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I smelled the plants again today, darn. So I took them all out. Maybe I'll let them air out and use them for my aquarium instead. I definitely don't feel like trying to reattach them to the egg crate now that it's in the tank.

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Oh, that’s a bummer! Sorry to hear that.


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JoeHermits wrote:Oh, that’s a bummer! Sorry to hear that.


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Definitely. Hopefully the crabs won't mind the lack of multicolor plants in the background lol.
Thanks again for replying!

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Better safe than sorry; some plastics really do give off toxic fumes, and that can definitely build up in a closed environment like a crabitat. The crabs definitely won't care, if they were just background. Crabs do like having stuff in the tank to feel more concealed, but you can do that with other things than plastic plants. Sticks from your yard (if no pesticides sprayed) can provide both climbing opportunities and help them feel more hidden. You can bake them in the oven for a while if you are concerned about importing bugs.

DragonsFly wrote:Better safe than sorry; some plastics really do give off toxic fumes, and that can definitely build up in a closed environment like a crabitat. The crabs definitely won't care, if they were just background. Crabs do like having stuff in the tank to feel more concealed, but you can do that with other things than plastic plants. Sticks from your yard (if no pesticides sprayed) can provide both climbing opportunities and help them feel more hidden. You can bake them in the oven for a while if you are concerned about importing bugs.

I definitely agree. It was just background stuff anyway. Sticks are a good idea. I don't use any chemicals in the yard at all. I have so many sticks in my yard I'd be rich if I could sell them lol. Just no pine tree sticks right? Because of the smell they give off? Thanks!!

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I would stick with hardwood-type tree sticks/branches. Oak, maple, etc.

DragonsFly wrote:I would stick with hardwood-type tree sticks/branches. Oak, maple, etc.

Sounds good, thanks!

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Hey! I’m having the same problem, I tried what you did too but it’s not working I don’t know what to do because I don’t really have another purpose for the plants, is the smell bad for them??