HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I would post pictures but I don't know how. I purchased two PP from PetSmart. I know, I know, bad place to get them. But there were only three places I could have gotten them and the other two places had them in painted shells. One I would consider small, the other I am not so sure about. He/she is about the size on a nickel, shell and all. Would that be considered micro? Also, I bought a cat food and water dish that is like a two-in-one, and I'm using it as a salt water and fresh water pool. I noticed that the "micro" crab was having a hard time climbing out of it, so I put in some aquarium gravel on the bottom of both sides and then I took some 1/4 inch chicken wire and made two little ladders going from the water to the substrate and now they can both get out fine. Is that setup alright? The gravel was thoroughly rinsed and the water is not that deep. That is the only place I have gravel in the tank. The main substrate is 50 lbs of Quikrete play sand and 1 brick of Eco Earth. It has the perfect "sandcastle" consistency and i have about 4 and 1/2 inches to 5 and 1/2 inches of substrate in the tank. I figured that would be okay because of their size. But I also bought another 50 lb bag of play sand and I am planning to add that when I feel it is necessary.

Hiya! You seem like you have good crabbing instincts! Hopefully i can help you a bit.
First, a nickel sized crab? That sounds so tiny! I'd definitely call it a micro, if not a nano
The two in one dish sounds perfect! I wish i had thought of that Are you dechlorinating both waters? What are you using to salt the SW? You might want to reconsider the gravel and ramps, though i do think both are great ideas, but: is the gravel live? Please consider the ammonia and nitrate levels as impacted by the gravel. You can clean it by boiling the gravel if needed. As to the chicken wire, if it is metallic it could be an annoyance if it starts to rust. Hopefully it is plastic.
Your substrate sounds fine for now. I agree ~5 inches works for a small and micro. It will probably help to hold off adding that other bag of playsand to make it easier when you upgrade
What size tank are you using?
Are you using Tapatalk or coming through the website? Here is some info on posting pics via website: viewtopic.php?t=87783


Crabbers unite!!!

I de chlorinated both the salt and fresh water. I use Instant Ocean salt. The gravel is not live. Just the bagged gravel you can buy in 5 lb bags. And the chicken wire is metallic, but it is not rusted, and I plan on getting plastic to use instead.

Oh, and I have them in a 20 gallon long tank. I may rescue one from Petco tomorrow to save them from whatever fate they may endure.

If you stick to PPs a 20gal should hold well. Is it a 20gal long or tall?


Crabbers unite!!!

I said it was a 20 gallon long.