HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I just went and picked up the 20 gallon tank. Instead of using a 10 gallon for topper ( it would not work to use the 10 gall for a topper) we bought a small 2.5 gallon to use as a topper. We also bought some fake plants and hides. Since all the fake plants are plastic do we need to clean them? How would we?

I was wondering, we bought some chicken wire for a couple things ( it was all we could find) is that safe? We wanted to use it for a climb wall in the back and also for the water dishes. Would that work? Will it rust or mold? Has anyone ever used it before? If it does rust can a just replace it once in a while?

I am sooooo excited to set this up but one of my hermit crabs is molting and I need some eco earth from that 10 gallon so I have to wait!


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Plastic you could soak in hot water and let it sit I think. I don’t know how reliable of a source Lori’s Hartland is, but she said that you can dip it in boiling water for a few seconds at a time. So you would dip it in and then take it out to rest, and then repeat this process until the entire surface is covered.


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Chicken wire will rust. You could replace it, but the more you're in the tank, the higher the chance of stressing out the crabs. Plus, what about the molters that may be down? I personally wouldn't use wire or metal of any kind. Crabs pick and eat just about anything and I wouldn't put my crabs health at risk. I use plastic eggs crate light diffuser for background and climbing structures.

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Thanks
I also had to use this glue for the new hide because my sister literally broke it in the first 5 min it smells sooo strong and is heavy duty do you think it is ok?



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They are not really touching if and it is only a little


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The wire is iron coated in zinc. I would keep it out of the water dishes to prevent leaching into their drinking water.

The crafting glue is made of tetrachloroethylene, which I would not use in an animal enclosure. Silicone or superglue would be more appropriate.


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Thanks


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For the plastic plants, you can just soak them in warm dechlorinated water, that's what I do. I wouldn't recommend chicken wire because replacing it can be a pain (plus rust is very dangerous for them). Try egg crate, it's about 16 dollars for a large sheet, you can get it at Lowe's home improvement or Home Depot. To cut it, a pair of heavy duty clamps or tweezer should do it (but wear glasses or something because small pieces can fly everywhere).

Rust (iron oxide) is unsightly but not necessarily dangerous. Invertebrate communities (including crustaceans) are common in rusted sunken ships.


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When I need to clean plastic items, I swish them in a vinegar and water mix, then rinse in dechlor water. Boiling plastic can cause it to degrade.

Thank you all for the help!
Anything that you guys use for your hermit crabs to climb on I’m trying to find vines fake plants Wood pieces etc.


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Cholla Wood is good


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Where do you get it from usually?


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You can really get it from anywhere. Hermit crab patch is pretty good, I also believe the crab street journal provides them


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OK thanks I’ll check that out


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