HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello. I'm trying to find water bowls for my crabs but I don't want to spend $7 on one bowl. What cheaper option could I use? Like glass, ceramic, or any other type of bowl?

Many people siggest usong Tupperware dishes from the dollar store

angelbear wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 10, 2020 7:13 pm

Many people siggest usong Tupperware dishes from the dollar store

Would glass be better?? I feel like it something would happen to plastic overtime if it is in contact with saltwater for a while.

I think several on here use plastic. Just make sure the crab can climb out of it. Usually craft mesh or river rocks or shells and branches or any combination would work.

You want a dish that is deep enough to submerge in but still has a way for the crabs to climb out. Tupperware is popular because it's cheap and zip-tying craft mesh ladders is a simple process.

However, some crabbers are concerned about possible plastic leaching. Glass is inert, but also more expensive. If you do choose glass, you may try siliconing rocks together to make a way in and out, but there's plenty of room for creativity if you want to try a different route.

I use plastic storage containers from the dollar store. I bought four of them so I can double them up and make water changes easy. I plan to eventually upgrade to small glass aquariums and will use a syphon for water changes, so I don't have to physically remove the pools. But for now, they're cheap and effective pools.

A lot of people use plastic containers and haven't had any issues with the salt. I haven't had any issue with salt either as of yet.

Oh ok. I'll probably do the plastic containers. Thanks for the help.

Plastic containers are the easiest way to go. Get at least four containers total. The first container put into the substrate and leave it there. Add a layer of small stones on that one. It will stay in there all the time aside from occasional cleaning.

The top container is the main pool you will add mesh to the sides and pull out to change your waters.

The first container stays in the substrate to help catch spilled water and also acts as a barrier if a crab decides to molt next to the pool. That way you run less of a risk of disturbing a possibly collapsing a molting cave.