HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hey guys,

So I'm looking at prepping to upgrade my tank to something around 30 gal (got three growing crabbies). I want them to have lots of square footage to dig and roam because they are all diggers from way back. They also love a good climb on a few of the branches i have in there already.

Looking for any recommendations you guys have got in your experience from tank brands to tank sizes to plants. I've already starting making new pools for them so that's done.

I've got stacks of playsand and coir peat left over from their current tank and am about to buy a new 16w heat mat because it's getting chilly in Melbourne so nothing is off the table.

Also my friend has found me a bunch of turbo shells from the beach, what should i do in regards to cleaning them/do i need to do anything with them if they're the correct size (dw she made triple sure they where uninhabited before taking them home).

Sound off below, thanks guys!!

CrabHarvey wrote: ↑

Sun May 31, 2020 5:36 am

Hey guys,

So I'm looking at prepping to upgrade my tank to something around 30 gal (got three growing crabbies). I want them to have lots of square footage to dig and roam because they are all diggers from way back. They also love a good climb on a few of the branches i have in there already.

Looking for any recommendations you guys have got in your experience from tank brands to tank sizes to plants. I've already starting making new pools for them so that's done.

I've got stacks of playsand and coir peat left over from their current tank and am about to buy a new 16w heat mat because it's getting chilly in Melbourne so nothing is off the table.

Also my friend has found me a bunch of turbo shells from the beach, what should i do in regards to cleaning them/do i need to do anything with them if they're the correct size (dw she made triple sure they where uninhabited before taking them home).

Sound off below, thanks guys!!

Hi! I would say get as large a tank as you can afford and fit. As for the heater, don't go by wattage. Once you know the size of the tank get a heater that covers the entire back of the tank from the top of the substrate to the lid. And you can boil the shells for about 5 minutes.

Hey. That’s pretty exciting! For tank brand I would suggest Aqueon. Their tanks do a great job with keeping moisture in.


Thanks.

In the 30 gallon range my favorite is the 29 gallon. They have plenty of height for deep substrate and still gives a lot of room for lots of climbing features.

I don't really have a favorite manufacturer of tanks. We got most of our tanks used.

I had a look at the tank you recommended and I’d have to ship it to Australia (it’s not sold here) which is an additional $60 which is unfortunate because I really liked the look and dimensions.

Thoughts on Exo-Terras?? There are a few of those hanging around AUS at decent prices, although I’m a bit worried about a full mesh lid letting all the heat out…


Thanks for you help!

CrabHarvey wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 03, 2020 3:09 am

I had a look at the tank you recommended and I’d have to ship it to Australia (it’s not sold here) which is an additional $60 which is unfortunate because I really liked the look and dimensions.

Thoughts on Exo-Terras?? There are a few of those hanging around AUS at decent prices, although I’m a bit worried about a full mesh lid letting all the heat out…

Thanks for you help!

You could always get a piece of glass or plexiglass cut for the top part so the plastic mesh is covered. You would also need to get a piece of plexiglass cut for the bottom so that they could have ample amount of substrate and you would still be able to open the doors.

I have a custom plexiglass lid but for some reason it curled a bit and now it lifts up on the edges a bit. I don’t know if it was my lamp ( not very strong and is only used for light ) or if it does that in general but keep that in mind if you get one.
{~Fantum~Rose~}


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Since your in Aus, much of the reccomendations from US crabbers wouldn't ve applicable unless you want to pay for shipping - and hope it arrives in one piece.

Here, tank sizes tend to go up in size by a foot rather than gallonage. So you're looking for something around 90cm (3ft) long, which would be around 30g (approx).

If its the heatmat that I'm thinking of, you may need another to heat a 3ft tank adequately, espeically during winter if you have a drafty house. Melbounre winters are pretty chilly!


I love my exoterra, but its pretty expensive as you can get the same sized tank (aquarium) for less than half the price for an exo. If you do want an exoterra, I reccomend going on ebay, waiting for ebay to have a discount/coupon day and then use that for the exo. (I know amazing amazon sells exos on ebay, but requires pickup!)



Plexiglass naturally bows due to temperature difference between the tank and outside. So using a thin sheet of plexi, it will bow regardless of lamps/no lamps.

Edit: aussies tend not to like turbo shells, and I have numerous aussie turbos that my crabs dont have interest in. They prefer shells with a more oval opening, D or 0 shaped. A good one is pheasant shells, which are native down south here. Another type they like are Babylonian, apple snails, moon snail and tonnas.

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CrabHarvey wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 03, 2020 3:09 am

I had a look at the tank you recommended and I’d have to ship it to Australia (it’s not sold here) which is an additional $60 which is unfortunate because I really liked the look and dimensions.

Thoughts on Exo-Terras?? There are a few of those hanging around AUS at decent prices, although I’m a bit worried about a full mesh lid letting all the heat out…


Thanks for you help!

I just upgraded my crabitat to the largest size Exo-Terra terrarium (36”x18”x18”). Imo, it’s perfect! I was debating between the Exo-Terra and a 75 gallon tank, but really wanted the convenience of the front facing accessing doors. I’m really happy I chose what I did.

It does comes with the mesh cover, but I was able to find a Marineland Glass Top that fits for relatively cheap, like $34 USD. In the meantime, I didn’t have much problem with the mesh cover. Wrapped 3/4 of it with Saran Wrap and it kept the humidity/heat in.

If you’d like any pics of my Exo-Terra setup or have any specific questions, I’m happy to post/answer any.

Jenna

Tetra makes a front opening 75 gallon terrarium, if anyone is interested. Doubtful it's available in Australia, though.

[mention]wodesorel [/mention] That would be such a great size! I may get the 75g for my next setup. Any idea where it can be purchased? I can’t find anywhere locally...possibly somewhere online?


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jennaleigha wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 05, 2020 11:43 pm

[mention]wodesorel [/mention] That would be such a great size! I may get the 75g for my next setup. Any idea where it can be purchased? I can’t find anywhere locally...possibly somewhere online?


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My local mom & pop special ordered them for me through their rep. The tanks are so big that they need special delivery to the store.

jennaleigha wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 05, 2020 7:18 pm

I just upgraded my crabitat to the largest size Exo-Terra terrarium (36”x18”x18”). Imo, it’s perfect! I was debating between the Exo-Terra and a 75 gallon tank, but really wanted the convenience of the front facing accessing doors. I’m really happy I chose what I did.

It does comes with the mesh cover, but I was able to find a Marineland Glass Top that fits for relatively cheap, like $34 USD. In the meantime, I didn’t have much problem with the mesh cover. Wrapped 3/4 of it with Saran Wrap and it kept the humidity/heat in.

If you’d like any pics of my Exo-Terra setup or have any specific questions, I’m happy to post/answer any.

Jenna

yes yes yes yes yes please, i love looking at other peoples crabitiat for inspo! thank you!

aussieJJDude wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 04, 2020 7:03 pm

Since your in Aus, much of the reccomendations from US crabbers wouldn't ve applicable unless you want to pay for shipping - and hope it arrives in one piece.

Here, tank sizes tend to go up in size by a foot rather than gallonage. So you're looking for something around 90cm (3ft) long, which would be around 30g (approx).

If its the heatmat that I'm thinking of, you may need another to heat a 3ft tank adequately, espeically during winter if you have a drafty house. Melbounre winters are pretty chilly!


I love my exoterra, but its pretty expensive as you can get the same sized tank (aquarium) for less than half the price for an exo. If you do want an exoterra, I reccomend going on ebay, waiting for ebay to have a discount/coupon day and then use that for the exo. (I know amazing amazon sells exos on ebay, but requires pickup!)



Plexiglass naturally bows due to temperature difference between the tank and outside. So using a thin sheet of plexi, it will bow regardless of lamps/no lamps.

Edit: aussies tend not to like turbo shells, and I have numerous aussie turbos that my crabs dont have interest in. They prefer shells with a more oval opening, D or 0 shaped. A good one is pheasant shells, which are native down south here. Another type they like are Babylonian, apple snails, moon snail and tonnas.

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Honestly, i actually have no idea what shells they where (looked mostly like turbos) because i was only on facetime and she was on the beach so the connection wasn't great. It was on the coast so it's likely they're one of the shells you mentioned.

I didn't end up buying that heat mat, got another from facebook that's keeping my boys nice and snug in the Melbourne winter. I'm waiting for the COVID craze to pass before i head to amazing amazon, worried to go because i think i might buy the entire store hahahaha.

Definitely got my eye on facebook marketplace, ebay and gumtree for good deals.

Thanks for all your help!

wodesorel wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 05, 2020 9:11 pm

Tetra makes a front opening 75 gallon terrarium, if anyone is interested. Doubtful it's available in Australia, though.

had a look, sadly it's not sold in aus