HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hopeful new owner here. We've made the decision, but still need to make all the arrangements and such. I have a 20 gallon tank we had fish in before they all passed. I fully intend on using the same tank for some little crabbies, but the back of the tank has some dried on yucky algae stains from the fish. I have scrubbed and scraped with vinegar, hot water, and old cards, and there's still some on there. Is there anything else I could try? Would it be harmful to leave it? I'm sure this is the first of many questions.

Welcome to the wonderful world of crabbing! You can use bleach, as long as you rinse well and let it completely dry before continuing, however, i cannot guarantee its effectiveness. I do not believe it is harmful. Algae can grow in the tank harmlessly, so algae stains should be equally as harmless.
Keep the questions coming, we are a nice bunch who love to help!


Crabbers unite!!!

Thanks for the response. I'm trying hard to make sure we do this right, as it's my daughter's bday present come March (I say that knowing it's my responsibility lol).

Would you say a glass lid is better than a plastic lid? We have low humidity in the house. How many crabbies would you suggest for a 20 gallon? I'm thinking 3? I'm staying up way too late reading post after post, and already trying to prepare everything and we can't even get them until March, possibly later!

Does anyone have experience with the generic aquarium scum removing sprays? Or are those toxic?


Hermit mommy of 10 PP babies: Octavius Flemming, Poseidon, Junior, Matty Pumpkin, Turbo, Aries, Kaylee Frye, Pepper, Flower and Adrian Shephard.

casssch wrote:Thanks for the response. I'm trying hard to make sure we do this right, as it's my daughter's bday present come March (I say that knowing it's my responsibility lol).

Would you say a glass lid is better than a plastic lid? We have low humidity in the house. How many crabbies would you suggest for a 20 gallon? I'm thinking 3? I'm staying up way too late reading post after post, and already trying to prepare everything and we can't even get them until March, possibly later!

3 micro/teenie-small or even medium are fine in a 20 gallon breeder or a tall (30" long or 24") as long as you have 6/7 (for bigger tanks 10/12 or sometimes 18) inches of substrate. Your sub should be 5:1 parts playsand to Eco earth so they have proper molting space especially for mediums who are bigger and can get around pretty fast. A metal mesh lid with a cover to keep in humidity is ideal because although humidity IS important so it fresh air
Bring on the questions, that's why we're here!


Hermit mommy of 10 PP babies: Octavius Flemming, Poseidon, Junior, Matty Pumpkin, Turbo, Aries, Kaylee Frye, Pepper, Flower and Adrian Shephard.

Each crabber has different preferences and circumstances, so there are many different configurations possible having to do with the lid. Unfortunately the only way to find out what's best for you is to try a bunch of stuff $$
I had a mesh lid initially, but switched to glass, ultimately. I use an air pump to make my pools bubbly, so i was supplying fresh air that way.


Crabbers unite!!!

The reason I stopped considering the mesh lid is because I have naughty cats. I think the mess would just invite trouble with them. If I had to cover it to keep the humidity up, they would likely uncover, etc. Although the one I found was half the cost of the glass lid, maybe I should give it a try lol. I believe the tank is a 20 gallon tall, I planned on doing 8+ inches for substrate and using some of our existing fish decor for decoration. The only thing I don't have figured out yet is my water pools. Well, those and the crabs - good thing I have a month or so lol

One if my favorite threads of all, "Post Your Pools" viewtopic.php?t=99390


Crabbers unite!!!

I'm not sure which brand aquarium you have but Petsmart has some nice Aqueon Versa 20 gal (24") glass kids for $20. If you belong to their rewards system there are coupons that come out from time to time.

For water pools I use dollar store bins with canvas ramps. I think they were 4/$1. I have mine on top of the sub. Here's a top view of my 'tat. The pools are the blue things. I also have bubblers set up in the pools to help with humidity.





Crabby since 8/13/14
Es Buzz, Bullseye and Bo Peep
PPs Rex, Mick, Jessie and Woody
(Jessie and Bo Peep coming March)

Thanks for the link. Some of those pools are really neat!

I believe the tank we have is a tetra? Got it from Wal-Mart. I did find a glass lid on Amazon around $20, the wire mesh is $10. Neither really breaks the bank. I'll have to check out what our dollar store has for bins and bowls.

I use heavy gauge plexy with holes drilled on the end for air. It was relatively inexpensive because I bought the plexi from a hardware store as a sheet and had it cut to fit my tank. It does warp a bit though, especially if you use a heat lamp.

Just a word of caution on lids, make sure the lid you're buying is the one meant for your tank (Aqueon, marineland, aga etc) or double check that the actual dimensions actually match those of your tank. Different manufacturers have slightly different measurements for the same "size" tank.


Crabby since 8/13/14
Es Buzz, Bullseye and Bo Peep
PPs Rex, Mick, Jessie and Woody
(Jessie and Bo Peep coming March)

Hot water and bleach, leave to soak and then scrape carefully with a razor blade making sure to avoid the silicone. You can do the same with straight white vinegar and leave it sit 12-24 hours making sure it stays wet if it's something really nasty that's stuck on there. You can put the tank on each side so each pane of glass gets soaked individually so you don't waste as much vinegar and the entire piece of glass gets soaked evenly. I've rescued a bunch of tanks this way. Unfortunately if the damage is to the glass itself (algae and other aquarium water effects can physically etch the glass) then you're stuck as it will not come off.

casssch wrote:Thanks for the link. Some of those pools are really neat!

I believe the tank we have is a tetra? Got it from Wal-Mart. I did find a glass lid on Amazon around $20, the wire mesh is $10. Neither really breaks the bank. I'll have to check out what our dollar store has for bins and bowls.

TETRA brand lids are manufactured by MARINELAND and need glass lids made for Marineland. AQUEON brand will not fit correctly. The best deal is on the DrsFoster&Smith website. I have a 29g (same footprint as a 20L) and bought a perfect fit hinged glass canopy for under $30 with shipping. Here's the link:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/fish-supp ... ps/c/3578/

I seen a few people using hydrogen peroxide to get rid of algae from there fish tanks. Often they peroxide when the tank is running - no need to "shut down" the tank, shrimp, plant and fish safe. Maybe this might work for you? All needed is a few squirts where the algae is, left it be and after a day or two, scrubb it off?