HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi again. I am a relative newbie. Daughter came home last year with 3 crabs in painted shells from NC. Thanks to this site, I set up a proper crabitat and they immediately switched to natural shells. I plan on cleaning them today. What is meant by a deep clean? I plan on taking the top layer of sand off and replacing it with a coconut fiber and sand mix. Does this sound ok? I started with 6 inches of sand but it has settled to 4.5 inches. I heard a mix of sand and coconut fiber is good. 4 or 5 to 1? Also, now that they changed shells, can I move the unused shells? I have about 10 in the tank. I keep hearing people talk about a shell shop. What is this? I would like to also make them a moss pit. Any advice? I have become obsessed with these guys. Thanks. Colleen

Keep the shells in the tank even if not being used. A shell shop is a container that you keep the shells in instead of loose on the sand. They can toss out of the way the ones they need to in order to get the ones they want. Here is mine. I have 2.

A deep clean us taking everything out, sand and all. It doesn't need to be done unless you have a problem unless you want to.





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Thanks. I'll do that with my shells. Is that a live plant? How can I keep.a plant in the tank? Are the roots in the substrate?

Over time your sub develops beneficial bacteria that helps to break down waste. Once every few months you might want to turn it over a little if you dont have crabs under or just be very careful. This helps aerate it. If you have a bacterial bloom (rotten egg smelling sub turning black) you will want to deep clean.

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I don't use real plants. I couldn't keep a plant alive if my life depended on it.

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