HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I've been commuting across the city twice a week to hang out with the partner's Little Sister's new hermits.

I bring them treats, shells, oak leaves, flower petals, meat. (I don't even EAT meat.) The Mother requested I not put any kind of poop in the tank. (She is No-Fun.)

It takes me over an hour to get there. It is plain ridiculous. I am obsessed, clearly.

I need to get my own crabs.
(Which is silly: no one NEEDS crabs. Why do I need crabs?) :roll:

Now I'm planning to set up a tank. Size-wise, I'm limited by budget, and roomie's injunction that I (please, pretty please) not use plastic tubs (plastic crates are SO ugly, Emily, I really don't want them in the living room. What about that nice tank over there, when its empty... why can't the crabs go in the fish tank? Are you still going to keep the fish, too!? Oh, I see... fine, but no ugly tubs: not in the living room. And no lizards in the living room either, or Jessica won't visit ever. And no breeding maggots or bugs ever. That is deffinately still a rule.)
My life is very hard, as you see.

I'm considering a 37 gallon or larger... but unless I find a wow-deal, it's probably 37, due to budget-yness. I have to consider the nine or so inches of substrate as a cost too.
Obviously bigger is better, but what have experienced practitioners found to be the lower limit for long-term crabbing? (to avoid crowding, prevent stress, and generally provide an okay-ish tat?)

Are there any considerations when setting up a long-term-ish hermit tank that more experienced people would suggest? Practises that aren't in the FAQs, but are still a good idea?

So far:
I'm leaning away from putting in a false bottom. But I could be swayed if given good reason.
I'm taking on the fool's errand of putting in some live plants. I'll let eveyone one how the carnage goes.
I'm planning a second level that will comprise about 1/3 - half of the surface area; lots of net, a moss pit, and a cubby for rotating treats.

I have no earthly idea where I'll get my crabs yet... don't think I want to risk crowding with more than four in a 37 gallon. And I think I'll see if I can adopt. (?)
Other than substrate depth and lid-closure-strength, are there any big-crab potentialities one should consider when setting up, for once the crabs have grown up a bit?

I'm trying to think of everything. I've ordered an air pump for bubblers; I have moss from the lizard; I'll need more shells, EE; I've got excess mopani from my fish tanks...

WAlso, were can yo order an Ultratherm in Canada? Amazon doesn't seem to carry them, only Zoo-Med. I don't think I've ever noticed the brand anywhere.

As a first-timer, I'd really appreciate any advice, thoughts, anecdotes, warnings... I'm honestly a bit amazed that I feel compelled to do this at all... but I just really, really like watching hermit crabs, as it turns out.

Thanks in advance for any input!!

Wait for the next $1.00/gallon tank sale at Petco and pick up a 40 gallon breeder for $40.00! If you decide now what size tank you are going to get and then stick to that size, you can start buying other supplies such as a hinged glass lid, stand, sand, eco earth, etc while waiting for the tank to go on sale.

That's what I would do. It does commit you to certain sizes (what ever that size lid and stand will fit), but you usually can't beat the $1/gal sale.

Breeders aren't as tall... I wanna go deep, substrate-wise & still have room for an okay second story.
Like, a 40 B is only 16" high, but a 37 H(igh) is 22". I'm also considering a 55 gal, though that already starts to be a pain in my wallet with all other expenditures. Also, I've never noticed a $/gallon sale in Toronto... not sure if it's a thing here.

Ok for sure try craigslist if thats available to you!
One thing that will be necessary for you being in a cold weather area is a heat pad! These are the most expensive buys in crabbing in my opinion (this doesnt include the spoiling :p). So you want to buy the right one on the first go around. Www.reptilebasics.com and the bean farm sells ultratherms. These can be insulated which provides more heat! If you have a joanns fabric up there they sell suitable shells cheap (green turbos). Play sand home depot 3$. Hope the penny pincher tips helped

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The dollar per gallon sale runs in most us cities, but its not usually something they advertise, sometimes if you call they will tell you when it is running. They offer up to the 55 gallon with that deal. The reason breeders are nice is because they offer a greater width, and if you plan on this being your long-time tank without upgrading, you'll want room for when your crabs get bigger! Deep sub is important too, so ultimately you have to choose a bit regardless of tank size, deep sub, or climbing room. My biggest long term tip is to stabilize the humidity without having to spritz often, I think one of the biggest mistake people make, myself included in the start is they over-mist. Also, install corner guards, that's something I truly wish I had done before I put the crabs in. They make it easier to hang and anchor things in the tank. If you do a quick forum search you should see what I mean by them.

If you don't want a 40B, that's fine and dandy. It was just an example. I've never seen the $1/gallon sales advertised, but here in Texas they have them about once per season and they last about 10 days.

You can certainly go the route of a used tank--lots of people do. I personally will not put my crabs in a tank that has previously housed fresh water fish. There are chemicals commonly used in FW tanks that are harmful to SW tank inhabitants, so I'm not going to take that chance with my colony. New stuff only for them.

Thank you both for the tips! !!!!

And thank Mool, for the bit about fw fish Chem. .. I had no idea! I know nothing of sw fish beyond basic difference of salt excretion for sw/fw fish species.

Do you know if I look through the archives, is there info about potentially bad fish Chem in there? Any useful search terms?

If you want something deep but also wide, might I suggest a bow front tank? I have a 36 gallon in that style, and I've had it for over 3 years now. I love it! It has plenty of depth for deep substrate, and to be able to have second levels (I have two big caddies, driftwood bridges, and a hanging hide). Plus with the bowed front, it's got more width to it. It's great for viewing, too. That might be an option, and with the $1 a gallon sale it would be cheap (I think even though it's a different style it's below 55 so it should apply to the sale?). If you do end up going with a 55 gallon like you mentioned, just know that they are pretty narrow for their size (I think only 12"?). Most of the size is vertical depth. I prefer something wider myself, but it's all a personal preference. Hope you find something you like! Crabbing is addicting

I've been very pleased with my 29g. Space is an issue for me but I wanted height to allow sufficient climbing room above a good depth substrate for my 4 PPs. A 29g is basically a taller 20L: 30"Lx12"Wx18"H. I have a 7-8" substrate and use an 11x23 Ultratherm, leaving a cooler area on one end (moss pit is at that end). BeanFarm sells directly from their website and ships to Canada; they also sell through Amazon so shipping to Canada shouldn't be a problem.

Others have mentioned "craigslist" which is a US person-to-person marketplace but I know Canada has their own version. These sites are an excellent source for tanks (or terrariums and these usually come with lids).

Edit: I neglected to mention checking out the HCA Shopping Resources page in the Navigator block on the Portal and Forum pages. The Shopping Resources indicate which well-known vendors ship to Canada.

I know this isn't exactly a thing you can "buy" but a practice I use with my hermits is feeding them about the same time every night. I've been feeding them fresh food at about 8:00 every night because that's when they seem to become active, and for the past few days I've been noticing that one of my crabs have become active right before then, and then when I put the food dish in he practically came running to the dish. I'm not sure if this idea appeals to you or anyone else, but I enjoy it.

Thanks, everyone, this is all very helpful! So much appreciation right now!

Copper is commonly used to treat ick, snails, fungus, algae and other freshwater tank maladies. Copper seeps into everything (including the silicone aquarium seal) and is difficult to remove. A tank that has had copper in it can never be safely used as a reef tank as the copper will leach out of the seals and into the tank and kill the live rock, algae, invertebrates and some fish.

The way to test is to fill up a used tank (assuming it holds water); let it sit for 48 hours and then use a copper test kit to check the levels. Some reef keepers say any copper is bad, others are willing to risk it for large (200 + gallon) tanks at a good price because they are hard to come by.

The "treatment" is to fill the tank completely to the top with water with a heavy bleach concentration (don't know the ratio); let that sit for a while then empty and dry the tank and give it a muratic acid bath followed by rinsing and refilling with fresh water and retesting for copper. Reef keepers also suggest keeping metal "magnets" in the tank and continuously testing for the copper as it will leach for the lifetime of the tank.

Even in fresh water tanks the difference between therapeutic and deadly levels of copper is very small. Basically when copper is used it poisons the entire tank but the fish are less poisoned and therefore survive.

All of the above is the reason I don't risk using used tanks for my crabs!!

Of course - because I know copper is bad for the snails I keep, so I've never used it in my own tanks... but crabs & leeching... of course!

THIS, I explained to my boyfriend, is why I need a crab forum. There are logical considerations I will never come by on my lonesome.
Thanks!

I hope ultratherms aren't over-hyped.... because I just picked up 2. (One big 'un & a spare little one, because, hey, if I'm paying to ship...
OH MY GOG, IT COSTS WHAT TO SHIP?!)

Anywho - thanks for the Bean Farm tip. I do feel good about buying something that can be safely insulated, and I live in an historic building, an, like, other people live here too... so I have to be responsible, fire-safety-wise.

And also, wanted to mention specific thanks for the idea about regular feeding times... that def. appeals to me!

This is a good community. Thanks again for the helps!

Also, corner guards sound pretty hype... I will do that fer SURE.