HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I have a 75g set up I've done as natural as possible, live plants lots of wood, moss. Should I brake the natural habitat and get a hamster wheel? Do the little guys really like it? Thanks!

Definately! In the wild they walk miles every day. So a hamster wheel helps them get exercise. It takes them a while to figure it out but once they do they hardly come off. I've had crabs walking almost non stop for over 24hrs.

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You can always blend it in with some fake plants in front of it to help hide it if you find it much of an eye sore?

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We have wheels in all of our tanks. There is rarely a time I do not have at least one guy in a wheel in my 75G. I actually added a second larger wheel in there tank so they had more room and more could use them at once.

I will have to upload the video I took of 4-5 purples trying to all go at once in the wheel, and riding the outside and inside! They are pretty comical on it!

They may not use it right away, It may take them a month to find it. Once they do depending on how many crabs you have they are almost always in it!

Awesome pictures and great to know, thanks!

What is the name of the plastic that everyone is using for the inside of their wheels and other things? I am going to get a hamster wheel and I want to line it. I know one of my three crabs will love it.

JosephFireborn wrote:What is the name of the plastic that everyone is using for the inside of their wheels and other things? I am going to get a hamster wheel and I want to line it. I know one of my three crabs will love it.

Most call it plastic needlepoint canvas (craft mesh or canvas mesh)...

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aussieJJDude wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 22, 2019 4:48 pm

Most call it plastic needlepoint canvas (craft mesh or canvas mesh)...

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Thanks so much.

I was moving my hermit crab cage that was like a 40gal and I got disoriented and fell and the tank shattered against the door, but only one side so the crabbos are fine. I moved them into a smaller tank while I went shopping. Came home with a massive 38x18x24 tank and now it just feels too empty and I want to build more for them to do.

Well they will love having a wheel. My crabs are on mine all the time.

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How large are you hamster wheels?

We use 5.5" for our smaller crabs and 10" wheels for our larger crabs. We consider our larger crabs with shell opening bigger than 1". The smaller crabs can spin the 5.5 wheels easier. They all still go in either wheels but they do use both sizes.

Motörcrab wrote:We have wheels in all of our tanks. There is rarely a time I do not have at least one guy in a wheel in my 75G. I actually added a second larger wheel in there tank so they had more room and more could use them at once.

I will have to upload the video I took of 4-5 purples trying to all go at once in the wheel, and riding the outside and inside! They are pretty comical on it!

They may not use it right away, It may take them a month to find it. Once they do depending on how many crabs you have they are almost always in it!

Hey motorcrab can you post a pic of your thermomer/hygrometer set up?

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Here is my Acurite holder in my 75. I just zip tie my heat probe for my thermostat to the side.



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I recommend hamsters wheels in all crabitats that are big enough for one, the crabs really do appreciate walking on it! I find at least one on mine every single day, and when more than one walks on their together it's quite a sight to watch!

I have two wheels in each of my crabitats. I highly recommend them! I prefer the kaytee silent spinners. Craft mesh can be purchased in individual sheets at Michael's. Walmart sells it too, but you have to purchase it in a variety pack. I'm sure JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby sell it as well, but I'm not sure if individually or in a variety pack. I personally purchase the medium sized wheels. With this size I have hermits of all sizes that can use them. I recently acquired a Ruggie that is pretty small, and it can turn the large wheel.