HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I know tank are supposed to be huge, but a couple months ago my parents gave me this little tank from walmart. I'm wondering if it's even okay for Isolation? I doubt it but I thought I better ask.

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As an ISO tank if you were placing it in the main tank to keep temps and humidity at safe levels, yes.
For any other reason, no.

Are you sure that isn't a salad spinner? Doesn't look like something made for pets at all.

rothers27 wrote:Are you sure that isn't a salad spinner? Doesn't look like something made for pets at all.

Lol no, it's not a salad spinner but now I think about it, it does look like one...

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soilentgringa wrote:As an ISO tank if you were placing it in the main tank to keep temps and humidity at safe levels, yes.
For any other reason, no.

Like I stick it in my main tank?

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How large is the main tank? When I ISO a crab for any reason, I place it in a small critter keeper inside on of my large habitats.

You'd have to wrap that thing in plastic and find a safe way to warm it without overheating the crab if you aren't placing it in the main tank.

I'm not sure how large your tank is though?

My tank is 33g it's not set up yet.

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Hermie_Beginner wrote:My tank is 33g it's not set up yet.

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Keep in mind when you're getting hermits, how many a tank can support is based on how much molting space they have. Exoterra tanks often need to be modified with a piece of plexiglass across the front to hold in deeper substrate to allow for normal sized hermits. Substrate needs to be at least 6 inches deep, or three to four times deeper than your biggest crab stands tall - whichever is more. If that's the 24x18x18 Exo-terra then it can only support a bit more crabs than a 20 gallon long.

Not to hijack this thread, but I'm curious about people putting their crabs' iso tanks into the main tank. Wouldn't that still run a risk of transferring parasites if present?

jclee wrote:Not to hijack this thread, but I'm curious about people putting their crabs' iso tanks into the main tank. Wouldn't that still run a risk of transferring parasites if present?

Usually an ISO tank that goes inside the main tank is for injured crabs, for example one that was attacked while molting. Stuff like that.


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The only parasite known to affect crabs (that can actually be treated) are mites, and if those are present a new crab needs to be kept far apart for treatment. If one already in a colony presents with them, then the entire enclosure needs treated.

Mites are very rare. There has been almost no threads about them since exotic species became harder to come by. Es and PPs rarely ever have them.

wodesorel wrote:Keep in mind when you're getting hermits, how many a tank can support is based on how much molting space they have. Exoterra tanks often need to be modified with a piece of plexiglass across the front to hold in deeper substrate to allow for normal sized hermits. Substrate needs to be at least 6 inches deep, or three to four times deeper than your biggest crab stands tall - whichever is more. If that's the 24x18x18 Exo-terra then it can only support a bit more crabs than a 20 gallon long.

Yes it's the 24x18x18

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I just saw "Terrarium Top - Glass Inserts For Exo Terra® Terrariums" for sale through NE herp supplies. (About half way down the page here - http://www.neherpetoculture.com/enclosures )

If you don't have somewhere nearby to custom size a glass/plexiglass panel, you might be able to use one of these sized panels to raise the base and add deeper substrate.