HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Greetings! We're new here and new to hermies. My daughter is doing lots of research before we get anything, and has several questions:

1. Would they do okay with seasonal location changes? My daughter really wants them in her room, but we keep our bedrooms at about 65 in the winter, and she's worried the heating pad won't be able to keep up with that.

2. We have a partial bag of play sand that has been sitting in our garage for about 18 months. Would that be okay to use or should we purchase new sand?

3. When placing an UTH on the back of the tank, where on the back is that in relation to the surface level?

4. How necessary is a tank light if it will be in a well-lit room with lots of indirect natural light and room lights on most of the time?

5. Is there a good option for a combination thermometer/hydrometer you would recommend?

6. What sort of tool do you use to spot clean their poop?

7. Would Topfin algae wafers be of any use to hermits? We were misinformed and have an entire bag that none of our fish will eat. They seem to have a high protein content. Are there any long chemical-sounding words that I should look for that would be bad for them?

8. Do the crabbies prefer their food/freshwater/saltwater containers to be close together or far apart?

9. We have three small half-coconut shells that we bought with sorbet in them last year. They were rinsed out and have not been used for anything else. Would they work for food, freshwater, and saltwater?

10. We have Topfin water conditioner for our fishtank. Would this work for their water also? It says it neutralizes chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals.

11. We have heard that they need tannins; would darkwater (indian almond leaf extract) or dry IALs be good for them (we have plenty of both)?

12. Logistically, how do you handle dechlorinating their water when they need so little? Is there an number of drops per cup that you use? Do you treat a gallon at a time and use for refills?

13. Do you just use a regular spray bottle (never had chemicals in it) for misting?

Thanks so much for all your help!

Greetings! We're new here and new to hermies. My daughter is doing lots of research before we get anything, and has several questions:

1. Would they do okay with seasonal location changes? My daughter really wants them in her room, but we keep our bedrooms at about 65 in the winter, and she's worried the heating pad won't be able to keep up with that.
Curly - The problem with moving a tank is that it is REALLY heavy. And if there are crabs underground, their tunnels/ caves could collapse when the tank is moved. I have my tank in a room upstairs in an old farm house - a/c doesn't reach upstairs, there is only baseboard heat in that room, and the temp varies greatly between seasons. I have four UTH's, one on each side and two on the back - then I can plug/ unplug as needed according to the temp. And insulating really helps hold in heat as well.

2. We have a partial bag of play sand that has been sitting in our garage for about 18 months. Would that be okay to use or should we purchase new sand?
Curly - You will probably need more than a partial bag, as the substrate should be at least 2-3 times as deep as your largest crab. My worry with an open bag is what may have gotten in there, especially in a garage.

3. When placing an UTH on the back of the tank, where on the back is that in relation to the surface level?
Curly - The UTH should mostly be above the level of the substrate, as we want to heat the air not the sub. Mine do go a bit below, which is fine but it dries out in those areas more.

4. How necessary is a tank light if it will be in a well-lit room with lots of indirect natural light and room lights on most of the time?
Curly - You won't need a light in that room, unless you want it. That's exactly the type of room my tank is in too.

5. Is there a good option for a combination thermometer/hydrometer you would recommend?
Curly - Digital are generally more accurate than analog. AcuRite is a commonly used brand. But with the heat and humidity, they don't last forever, I think 2 years is the most I have gotten.

6. What sort of tool do you use to spot clean their poop?

7. Would Topfin algae wafers be of any use to hermits? We were misinformed and have an entire bag that none of our fish will eat. They seem to have a high protein content. Are there any long chemical-sounding words that I should look for that would be bad for them?
Curly - Check out the 'care sheet' about commercial food, it lists additives that are potentially harmful to crabs.

8. Do the crabbies prefer their food/freshwater/saltwater containers to be close together or far apart?
Curly - Totally does not matter, it is owner preference.

9. We have three small half-coconut shells that we bought with sorbet in them last year. They were rinsed out and have not been used for anything else. Would they work for food, freshwater, and saltwater?

10. We have Topfin water conditioner for our fishtank. Would this work for their water also? It says it neutralizes chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals.
Curly - The other thing that needs neutralized is ammonia. Check out the 'water' care sheet, it lists the common brands and what they remove.

11. We have heard that they need tannins; would darkwater (indian almond leaf extract) or dry IALs be good for them (we have plenty of both)?

12. Logistically, how do you handle dechlorinating their water when they need so little? Is there an number of drops per cup that you use? Do you treat a gallon at a time and use for refills?
Curly - You can't really 'overdose' it, so just a couple of drops in a gallon, then like you said use it for refills. You will use the dechlor water as is for fresh water, then add marine salt for their salt water.

13. Do you just use a regular spray bottle (never had chemicals in it) for misting?
Curly - Yep, that works just fine. Some people need to mist more than others, it will depend on the tank, your conditions etc.

Thanks so much for all your help!
Curly - If you haven't done so yet, be sure to check out the 'care sheets'. Start with the 'basics' and then go from there, you will find tons of info!

thanks so much Curly!