HCA: Hermit Crab Association

What products ARE recommended by the HCA?? IS there a list of common and recommended tank Decor or common building supplies etc anywhere on this site like the food lists? ( I think there is a link for substrate materials with pictures if there's not it could go here)
Call it decoration and building materials approved by the HCA. One of the most common posts are people asking if a substance is okay for the tank. HCA approved products of course would be for the ultimate longevity and health of your animal companion.This list could also contain guidelines too. Things to look out for. A list of metals preservatives oils or manufacturing practices that make some materials unsafe. I imagine half of the function of this list is building awareness. It would help make people aware of what makes things unsafe so that they can determine in their own mind if they feel comfortable using something or not. It's very frustrating as a new crabber to hear so many NOs.
So lets be pro active with some pre approved YESs.
Now watch as somebody tells me this already exists.

The HCA does not endorse any product. It never has.

Members write reviews and share what works for them.

Please never release a crab that has been purchased. They come from different areas and islands (though mostly Haiti) and are often exposed to foreign crab species during their warehousing. Releasing these crabs threatens native hermits with exotic diseases and parasites they would have no immunity to.

It's very difficult to give a blanket statement of what absolutely 100% works or is safe, which is why HCA has never endorsed a specific product.

Last year members of a few crabbing groups had Eco Earth bricks that had plastic or staple pieces in them. Does that mean that Eco Earth is unsafe? Not at all. Just means that people should give their EE a thorough once over before adding sand or putting it in the tank.

Many, many people maintain that the half logs are unsafe, while other crabbers have used them to no ill effect for decades.

Different regions will affect how humidity works in a tank. I have over 80 percent humidity consistently without the use of bubblers. Many crabbers can't keep humidity up without them, and for others, bubblers have actually caused humidity to drop.

There's no one size fits all, these products are proven/guaranteed safe list. Just what foods/products will for sure kill them (that we're still learning about), and which won't, which are already in the guides here.

wodesorel wrote:The HCA does not endorse any product. It never has.

Members write reviews and share what works for them.

Please never release a crab that has been purchased. They come from different areas and islands (though mostly Haiti) and are often exposed to foreign crab species during their warehousing. Releasing these crabs threatens native hermits with exotic diseases and parasites they would have no immunity to.

May i just say i do regard the hca as the best and most discerning minds in crabbydom. And thats because the diligent admin are extremely experienced and knowledgable in many more ways than 1.

I wasnt actually suggesting to release crabbies. It was a half cocked notion.

Points very well taken. I just think a quality supply list for ones own consideration might be helpful just an idea. I think the hca DESERVES kickbacks from ultratherm btw.