HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So I have a 15 gallon tote with 6 crabs in it. Obviously, that's overcrowded. I had 5 crabs not knowing the size till I calculated it (stupid thing to do) then someone gave me a crab. I was wondering if it is possible for me to get another tote and flip it and place it on the top so I can give them more climbing and floor space. Does anyone know how I would be able to do that? I've been wanting to upgrade the tank but I'm not able to as I don't have any room so that would be the best thing I could do until I upgraded.

Essentially you would just be giving them a topper, which doesn't really give you more room, except to climb. Do you have the room to go to a 30g tote?


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Usually the size/crab rule is determined on footprint of the tote/tank. For molting room.

JulesRolyCrab wrote:Usually the size/crab rule is determined on footprint of the tote/tank. For molting room.

I understand that, I would be able to add more substrate though so that might help a little (right?) because as of right now I can't get a bigger tank.

LadyMorrgian wrote:Essentially you would just be giving them a topper, which doesn't really give you more room, except to climb. Do you have the room to go to a 30g tote?

I'd like to give them more room to climb and add some more sub so they can have more room to molt(if it does that.) I could try to add a second level too if that would help on it.

You want to go by the footprint (length x width) of the tank/tote when figuring out if you have enough molting space for the number/size of crabs. Adding substrate depth is great (and definitely necessary for larger crabs!) for added protection - ensures crabs that are just digging around for fun don't disturb molters and that tunnels hold shape - but it's the footprint that counts. Most crabs will dig down as far as they can to molt, they don't stack up on top of each other. Am I making sense?

And of course adding extra climbing space is a great thing, but again it's that molting space that's most important.

I see, do you ink it would help two make add more climbing room and a second level until I am able to get a bigger crabitat? If so, do you know what would be a sturdy way to attach it?

What species? What is the length and width? Adding height may help some but it would still be a temporary situation. Upgrading to a larger tote/tank would be best, as soon as that's an option for you.

Maybe heavy duty Velcro?

The species is pp, length is about 24" width is about 13"

The only way I could see a second level even remotely affecting the molting room footprint is if it was also filled 6+ inches of substrate, and honestly, that's not a feasible idea. I tried when I was using totes, did not work.

Your best option is to upgrade the tote.

A second option is to set up a separate tote and split the colony.


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^^^
If you're getting another tote anyway, this might be the best option for now.

LadyMorrgian wrote:
Your best option is to upgrade the tote.

A second option is to set up a separate tote and split the colony.

Agreed. Don't know why the second never occurred to me. Duh!

But honestly, by the time you pay for a 2nd tote, 2nd heat source, etc .... It may just make more sense to just go ahead and buy the larger tote. ?

Ok thanks all. I will try and see if I can use my 10 gallon outside then split them. Right now 3 are underground so for now I'm good.

Do you plan to keep the 10g outside? How do you plan on keeping the temp and humidity stable?


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Here's a previous thread about someone making more height with totes, just as an FYI

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 6&t=104186