HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Haha, no they don't dig. If they did I would be worried. I have heard of crabs ripping through, so I would recommend using the needlepoint canvas. You can get it at craft stores or online if you don't already have it.

Right, I didn't think so lol, but I don't know much about frogs

Yeah I guess I should get some canvas. Trying to avoid it cuz apparently it's not something people use in Sweden, so it's hard to find here

Any similar material that is more resistant to their claws yet allows water to drain through should work (and of course, make sure it's crab safe).
I don't have any on mine and there are a few places substrate has leaked through but it's not like it's all pouring out. Eventually of course the weed block will tear more and need to be completely replaced. But I think that will hold true even if the crabs can't get to it.

So, the last couple of days I've been busy putting in all the substrate (that was some tough work!) and started decorating. I will probably rearrange quite a lot before I put the hermits in lol...

The UTH I bought was kind of unneccesary, it's freaking hot in there! 86F under the lights, 83F by the side. I didn't think the lights would be very hot, as they're aquarium lights. I'll look into some other lights in the future anyways, cause these are just too blueish. I guess I'll just turn off the UTH for now lol.

On saturday Im going to a reptile fair, and I hope to find some hermit crabs there. Otherwise I will have to order from a pet store, and in that case I will get C. Brevimanus

The only thing left to do now is put some plants in, another water dish and rearrange like a hundred times. I hope I have'nt forgot anything...

YYWW wrote:I think 4 will be ok just make sure you have plenty of hiding and climbing space. I think if you have stuff stick into the sub, like sticks and rods, you increase desireable digging places because crabs like to dig by structures like trees and walls. I like to give my Es lots of things to hide behind underground to prevent any "misunderstandings."

YYWW--thanks for this tip about sticking things into the substrate. I was thinking of doing this to support a second level, but I was afraid the crabs wouldn't like stuff in their way. I know that anything wooden has the potential to rot, so I'll try to figure out something plastic or PVC. Thanks again!

happy crabbing!


Crabbers unite!!!

There is a lot of discussion in this post about a false bottom in terrarium . What is the purpose of a false bottom?

AcerCrab wrote:There is a lot of discussion in this post about a false bottom in terrarium . What is the purpose of a false bottom?

To prevent substrate flooding which can lead to bacterial blooms and cause serious issues for molting crabs. They're not a necessity and it's still a new idea in the world of crabbing. They can provide peace of mind, especially for crabbers who use foggers/humidifiers or have built in pools.

Thanks, having read about people having floods and leaking pools I wondered if that was what the false bottom was used for.