HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Finally was able to get new containers for real pools and the shower caddy for the moss pit as well as a bin for the shell shop.

Any suggestions or critiques are appreciated. Three crabs live in this. All PPs. One mediumish and the other two are smalls.

Getting a shipment of 30 turbo shells tomorrow! So dont mind the sparse shell shop

Thinking I should add more substrate.. But this tank is so shallow I'm not sure. Weve had successful molts from all three with the sub as it is but still..


They get fed food from HugsForHermits! such good stuff. I highly recommend it. And ill toss in a small sliver of chicken unseasoned every few days as well.

Temp at 80 via analog thermometer. Looking at getting a digital one at work. 98% humidity via digital hydrometer. Whew! I need to maybe open up some of the top (screen with plastic wrap)

I am also using a 20g long, at the moment. I am running about 5-6" on the "deep" end but only about 4" at the other where I tried to leave a little room for climbing things. It's less than I'd like, but you're right, there isn't much room for more. I figure I am only getting away with it because my crabs are small and it was a backup tank for emergencies.

To make up for the lack of vertical space I screwed a plank of cork bark to my lid so they could climb upside down. They seem happy with the compromise. Sometimes I go in to look at them and they're all hanging around on the "ceiling".

If I were planning to use a 20g long for long, I'd make a hood for it out of plexiglass or a safe plywood (can seal the inside with plasti-dip to cut down on molding), or even just wire-frame wrapped in plastic, rather than a regular lid. Then things wouldn't be so "squashed" and there could still be more substrate.

Looks very good! Are the ladders painted? If so, I might consider sanding them down to get it off. If the crabs eat the paint it might hurt them. I would double the amount of sand - or maybe mix it with Eco Earth (coconut fiber). 6-8 inches for your crabs seems right. I can't tell for sure but it looks like you have 3-4 inches? And, maybe a cholla branch or grapevine branch for them to climb on when/if you are able. I need to upgrade to a 20 g myself! I bet your crew will be happy with all that space to explore!

A cheap and fun addition is fish net. You can find it in plastic packs at Michael's and Hobby Lobby -- a 3'x5' piece runs $5-6 and goes a looooong way! Crabbies just love it for climbing, snoozing, etc, and it's a great way to create hammocks or hanging shell shops, too.

Lburns wrote:Looks very good! Are the ladders painted? If so, I might consider sanding them down to get it off. If the crabs eat the paint it might hurt them. I would double the amount of sand - or maybe mix it with Eco Earth (coconut fiber). 6-8 inches for your crabs seems right. I can't tell for sure but it looks like you have 3-4 inches? And, maybe a cholla branch or grapevine branch for them to climb on when/if you are able. I need to upgrade to a 20 g myself! I bet your crew will be happy with all that space to explore!

I think I will toss in a few more inches once my only molter comes up. Should be soon. Whats in there now is a 50/50 mix of eco earth and aragonite sand. You're right about the ladders. I was pondering that myself. Ill probably make it a little project tonight to do that. They were 90 cents a piece at work. Woot woot clearance items!

Crabinski wrote:A cheap and fun addition is fish net. You can find it in plastic packs at Michael's and Hobby Lobby -- a 3'x5' piece runs $5-6 and goes a looooong way! Crabbies just love it for climbing, snoozing, etc, and it's a great way to create hammocks or hanging shell shops, too.

Ahh man I should've gone to hobby lobby while I was out today. Knew I was forgetting something. Ill def look for some while I'm out tomorrow. Great idea!

You can safely add more substrate while your molter is down as long as you do it a handful at a time and don't pack it. Waiting is fine too, though, since it makes it easier!

Your tank looks good. I'm sure if you get some fishnet your crabs will love you even more!