HCA: Hermit Crab Association

It's been well over a year since I did anything major with the crabitat. I have algae growing in most places along the sides, and I'm feeling like a deep clean and re-do is due. Also, I used to have 6 crabs, but now only 3 are out on a regular basis -- I literally can't remember when I last saw any of the other 3, but I know it's been longer than 6 months - more like 10. So, how do I go about this? First, I don't really have a place to put the crabs where I'm working on the tat -- where do other people put there crabs temporarily?

Second, I'm thinking I should just empty everything out, toss the sand, wash/clean/dry everything and re-set up. Suggestions? What's your procedure for cleaning out and starting again fresh?

If your substrate is healthy, which it sounds like-green algae means your sub is getting oxygen and isn't harmful to the crabs at all- it is not necessary to remove it. Beneficial bacteria build up and aid in breaking down waste.

You can carefully churn the sub to aerate it, but no need to dump.

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I got four tuppy containers . I always have one pre filed with sub and water dishes. When i find a crab i added it and food. Then made a hide. That way i can put the small container in my tank. I just watch my gauges while i clean and thats worked for me.

Just out of curiosity since my crabs seem to take turns molting and are not all out at once, how do u do this if any are buried???


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I had two underground at that time as well. Im sorry i should have explained better. Your going to want to start at one side of the tank using a large spoon [i got a pack of four plastic serving spoons at the dollar store to use. Worked great] and spoon layer by shallow layer out working in rows. If you find a crab or uncover one just cover him back up loosely. Grab your iso-tuppy put a few spoons of the old sub in then using your spoon scoop under the crab picking him and some sub up. Place him gently in the iso tuppy. Then add another layer or two of the old sub . Next i made sure to pay extra attention to the area i got the buried crab from. You dont want to accidentally toss an exo or gods forbid a soft crab. [Aslo make sure the spoon is bigger than your largest crab]

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Some pictures of when i did ny cleaning. The washcloths were dunked in trested fw and wrung out. Just made me feel better about the humidity since i was cleaning with the top open and when I was done i left it over the side like a bridge so my crabs could climb out. [They were fairly new and still a little skitish so i was still trying to stay hands off and let everyone continue destressing]

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Just Jay wrote:



Some pictures of when i did ny cleaning. The washcloths were dunked in trested fw and wrung out. Just made me feel better about the humidity since i was cleaning with the top open and when I was done i left it over the side like a bridge so my crabs could climb out. [They were fairly new and still a little skitish so i was still trying to stay hands off and let everyone continue destressing]

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I bet that took you hours with a spoon. How big was that tank

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You already know. 20g long. But i couldn't be 100% where my two crabs underground where. So i just went with safe over sorry.

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If you have a better idea of where they are your safe and once i got bith up i just scooped freely with a dust pan id gotten fron the dollar store as well. So it was like a mini one.

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I swear the members of hca are the most creative people I have ever known(although I technically don't "know" any of you) I would never have thought of a dust pan but if I ever need to remove sub, I will be using one!

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Hahaha thanks. I like to check the dollsr store out bc ive found everything from soap caddys to suction cups. So when i saw a mini dust oan that could fit in my tank? Why not see if it makes life easier! Lol.

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Great!! Thank u Just Jay


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Unless absolutely necessary you really should not dig up your crabs.


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Never put sub back on top of a crab once disturbed. The sand is loose and no longer compacted to hold their cave/tunnel and can collapse on them.



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Other members recommend that, same as if yu had to add sub while a crab was under. You do it loosely and make sure it is moist. Obviously you shouldn't ever disturb a crab underground but if you have to this is what worked for me and my four crabs.

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