HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello!

I am in the process of setting up a new crabitat (for newly adopted crabs, so I need to work fast!) and right now I'm in the process of shopping. Here's a list of what I already have to work with and what I'm planning to buy. I'd really appreciate it if anyone can take a look at my list and let me know if it sounds adequate or if I'm forgetting anything.



What I have:

30g long marineland aquarium (this is a slightly uncommon size: 36 x 13 x 16 inches) This tank is currently painted black on the outer back glass with acrylic gloss enamel paint. Will the heater placed on this glass be an issue? Should I scrape the paint off now? I'd rather not as I like having it as a background.

Glass lid

Basic LED light + timer for day/night simulation (and viewing! )

Water dechlorinator (Prime and Tetra on hand)

Analog thermometers and hydrometer

Resin aquarium decorations for climbing and hiding These have been cleaned with baking soda and vinegar in the past & rinsed extensively, should be safe..?

An assortment of appropriate empty shells

Dishes/containers to use for food and water

(Other miscellaneous aquarium supplies such as airline tubing, suction cups, aquarium sealant, black plastic craft mesh, etc... basically I may have some useful things on hand already. I plant to get crafty with decor and climbing areas.)


Things I have and may possibly use:

Live plants! I have tiny plantlets from a retired betta tank: Anubias, Java fern, and the tiniest amount of moss. If these are crab-safe and I can grow these emersed in the crabitat I would like to do so! I also have some philodendron and pothos vine in the house which I could use but it will depend on space after other necessities are put in the tank.


What I'm planning to buy:

50lb bag of play sand Will I need more than one bag for a 6" depth in my tank?

Ecoearth to mix into substrate

Instant ocean salt mix (will use salt water for mixing the substrate + supply the crabs with a saltwater pool)

Ultratherm Undertank Heater (UTH)- 11"x35" Is this the appropriate size to use on my tank?

A thermostat I'm sure I need one but I really don't know what to get, please help!

Better-suited decor/dish items for food and water

Possibly a fountain or waterfall for the freshwater pool

More shells!


Thanks in advance!

I think you may want another bag.
Yes that is fine for an under tank heater, but put in on the side ubove the sub though.
Don’t get a cheap thermostat.

To add your list:
Humidity gauge
You need a hideout of some sort.
Declorinator, depending on what type of water you have

I tried to go fast! Sorry if it’s too late

HermieBingo wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 05, 2021 8:48 am

I think you may want another bag.
Yes that is fine for an under tank heater, but put in on the side ubove the sub though.
Don’t get a cheap thermostat.

To add your list:
Humidity gauge
You need a hideout of some sort.
Declorinator, depending on what type of water you have

You're fine, thanks! It'll be a few hours before I can go out and get anything. I need to clean the aquarium out before anything goes into it. (I'm planning to use tap water and vinegar for that.) Yes, I was thinking

Yep, I figured the 11" heat mat should have just enough room above the sand level. I was hoping for some thermostat recommendations if anyone has them, otherwise I'll be Googling to see what are reliable brands.

I do have dechlorinator and resin aquarium hides right now, and if they aren't adequate enough for starters I'll supplement with some upside-down plastic containers or LEGO constructs until better-looking ones can be obtained.

I have an analog hydrometer, will that be good for now? I can always order a digital gauge, too.

Also, I found this calculator and punched in my substrate needs using the Sand, Silica option and I probably need 3 50lb bags, so I'm really glad I didn't just plan to buy 1 bag, that would have been a letdown. So I guess I'll need a lot of cocofiber to create a 5:1 mix.

https://www.aqua-calc.com/calculate/gra ... ular-solid

One bag of dry coco fiber, or one brick of coco fiber mixed with one bag of play sand will give you a 5 to 1 ratio, or pretty close. But don't worry if your ratio isn't 5 to 1.....any ratio will do! The 5 to 1 is common because it's easy to maintain, but there isn't a 'wrong' way to do it!

curlysister wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 06, 2021 10:40 pm

One bag of dry coco fiber, or one brick of coco fiber mixed with one bag of play sand will give you a 5 to 1 ratio, or pretty close. But don't worry if your ratio isn't 5 to 1.....any ratio will do! The 5 to 1 is common because it's easy to maintain, but there isn't a 'wrong' way to do it!

Awesome! I ended up going with the bagged coco for ease of use and the fact that it looks nice and finely milled...a nice sand consistency. I get to mix it into the sand later, I'm looking forward to it!



Heater and thermostat arrive tomorrow.

I went ahead and removed the paint on the back of the tank, so that question is taken care of, too. The "back" glass is actually less scratched up than the front was so it will probably become the new front side.

For the plant question, all you mentioned are fine.

The aquatic plants may not do well, even with the high humidity. At 80%, my aquatic plants did not appreciate the crabitat humidity and didn't handle the change. I think if it grew out on its own will it would do better. But honestly, my aquatic plants would only grow when I did a dry start and the humidity was 90%+.

My crabs love to destroy philodendron species, so whatever you include make sure its not expensive. The epipremnum aureum (pothos, not to be confused with actual pothos species) my crabs avoid wreaking, so make good choices.

aussieJJDude wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 09, 2021 5:05 am

For the plant question, all you mentioned are fine.

The aquatic plants may not do well, even with the high humidity. At 80%, my aquatic plants did not appreciate the crabitat humidity and didn't handle the change. I think if it grew out on its own will it would do better. But honestly, my aquatic plants would only grow when I did a dry start and the humidity was 90% +.

My crabs love to destroy philodendron species, so whatever you include make sure its not expensive. The epipremnum aureum (pothos, not to be confused with actual pothos species) my crabs avoid wreaking, so make good choices.

Thanks so much for the detailed reply! My remaining aquarium plants are so small they could live underwater in the freshwater pool... once I find one to my liking. The crabs currently have a doubled-up plastic container which is less than pleasing, aesthetically. But it's doing the job!

Definitely nothing expensive or sentimental about my viney plants, so maybe I'll see about introducing some cuttings from those to see how they fare.

The tank definitely needs some green to break up all the tan and brown, haha.