HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I found a collapsible metal shelf meant for school lockers when cleaning out my basement, and I thought it would make a perfect second level in the crabitat. Is there anything inherently toxic about metal that would harm the crabs, and would covering it in, say, a cocofiber mat solve the issue?
Or is it a bad idea?
Let me hear your thoughts!


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metal in a crabitat is generally not a good idea.. it could/would rust depending on the type of metal and the rust is toxic to them. In a discord i'm on a member used egg crate to create a second level and covered it with burlap -- i think someone here did that as well

Yeah i went ahead and picked up some egg crate, i think I’m going to do that instead with the burlap. Thanks!


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Rust by itself isn't harmful, as iron isn't much trouble to marine invertebrates. Heavy metals can be a big problem though, and unfortunately they can sneak through in paint or in alloys. Our forum owner addressed the metal issue a while back: https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... st#p732071