HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I’ve seen TONS of awesome posts about filtered pools and my lack of knowledge is what’s promoting this question:

Is it possible to have a small simple bubble pool with a small filtration system? I would LOVE to upgrade and incorporate a bio active function LATER but for now I’m pondering a less complicated self cleaning method.

They currently have half gallon pools, bubbled, changed weekly. (Or added to in the middle of week if evaporation is high).

(I maintain a chlorinated pool so water checking and balancing wouldn’t be too new a concept for me)

I imagine there are mini filter systems I can try out to avoid heavy weekly water changes?

Simply check levels and correct as needed?

Anyone have any experience with this?

(I will watch the bio active discussion floating around here for a greater concept goal down the line).

Thanks for your input!


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Good question.

Long story short (at work on break, so short reply... will give a more detailed one once finished) you can get mini filters. For example, the airpumps your using, swap out the stones for small sponge filters (you can get sponge filters for bowls, which suit this application well) or box filter thats air driven. After a couple of weeks, you'll find the bacterial colonies have built up enough that partial water changes is all thata required.


(Ideal water parameters: 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite and <40 ppm nitrate (many strive for less than 20ppm nitrate)


Fish forums are a good read, especially the cycling process so you and understand whats occuring and what to expect!

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This thread may help you out. This is from when I was building my bioactive pools. aussiedude helped me understand quite a bit with the basics of checking the water and getting them cycled. We covered a lot of ground with testing, and cycling. I'm pretty sure you could use the info as a guideline and tweak things for your application.
http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 9&t=120667

Courtney Iris Karr, otherwise known as the Cholla Queen, also made this presentation about creating a bioactive crabitat for last years Crab Con. I don't think she is a member here but she has done a lot of extensive experimenting with her crabs environment. This is the video that made me want to change up my pools to be bioactive.
https://youtu.be/4ZvBcrxy8Ic

Yes, Moto - thank you! I read that thread 3 times! Very helpful.

It’s def overwhelming for someone with a black thumb lol

I’m inquiring because I noticed crab poopies in the FW and was shocked but not since. My gut is it has to do with comfort: temp, maybe gas levels or something.

Plus it would be great to not have to disassemble that whole area every week ... (ordering the siphon btw thanks to Aussie!!!)


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aussieJJDude wrote:Good question.

Long story short (at work on break, so short reply... will give a more detailed one once finished) you can get mini filters. For example, the airpumps your using, swap out the stones for small sponge filters (you can get sponge filters for bowls, which suit this application well) or box filter thats air driven. After a couple of weeks, you'll find the bacterial colonies have built up enough that partial water changes is all thata required.


(Ideal water parameters: 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite and <40 ppm nitrate (many strive for less than 20ppm nitrate)


Fish forums are a good read, especially the cycling process so you and understand whats occuring and what to expect!

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Fantastic! And thank you for the parameters.

I’ve seen the mini ones (for bettas I think?) I’m glad there is a way to offer a more natural water source without going full blown bio right away.

Although mini shrimp sound so fun!

I’m going to do more research this weekend since I’ve never had a fish tank.

Thanks Aussie!!!


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I have been experimenting with bio-stones in my unfiltered pools. I'm hoping by not cleaning the stones they will get loaded with good bacteria and would allow doing water changes once every 10-12 days.

Motörcrab wrote:I have been experimenting with bio-stones in my unfiltered pools. I'm hoping by not cleaning the stones they will get loaded with good bacteria and would allow doing water changes once every 10-12 days.

Bio stones.... thanks. I’ll research that ...


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