HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So my craft mesh finally came in and I just got some supplies for the crabitat at the dollar tree, they've got some good stuff(I think). Got 4 Tupperware to make the stacked water pools for ease of cleaning, as well as a 3 pack of little square bins to make hides out of, and a little plastic tote thing I'm going to rig into a second level so they can do some climbing till I get wood and a real second level made up, as well as some jute twine. I've put some pictures of the items, pretty sure the plastic stuff isn't an issue but what about the jute Twine?

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The jute may be a problem. Pretty sure it needs to be natural jute. Most jute is treated with some sort of oil. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

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That's kind of what I was thinking with the coating on the jute. I'll just not use it to be on the safe side probably

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So I've got the climbing box almost all rigged with craft mesh, just need to run for some more zip ties. I will be ordering some crab safe jute cord to add more grip as well. Think my crabs will be able to use it and have fun on it? And I've got 2 water dishes rigged up with ramps, which also need the zip ties. Any suggestions before i set them in the crabitat?

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I like that home made hide with the craft mesh! I used a similar dollar store container, and glued shells to the sides for them to climb. But the shells are slowly coming off. I think I will re-do it with craft mesh!

Thanks, I'm happy with it I was wondering if I boiled some of this aquarium gravel I have if I could put it at the bottom of the base water bowl so the actual bowl full of water doesn't get stuck and make me have to pull the whole thing out of the footprint

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Wlfwo wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 09, 2021 8:29 pm

The jute may be a problem. Pretty sure it needs to be natural jute. Most jute is treated with some sort of oil. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

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Technically all jute is "natural" since it is derived from plants. The term natural is not regulated in the US like in other countries, at least with foods. I'm assuming an inexpensive twine would not be regulated either. We offer jute bridges in our shop. I have spent hours researching different jutes. Reading reviews just about all of them complain about the petroleum smell, even ones that claim to be free of chemicals. None that we have found specifically state they are chemical free or organic. At Wal Mart jute in the tool section smells really bad compared to the stuff in the crafting section. That doesn't smell nearly as bad. One roll can smell worse than another too.

We actually have a disclaimer in the description of our ladders about the jute. You can purchase organic coconut fiber and organic hemp that is free of chemicals. The organic twines are double or triple the price of jute. I would love to phase out the jute all together, but the organics do not sell due the price difference!

Motörcrab wrote: Technically all jute is "natural" since it is derived from plants. The term natural is not regulated in the US like in other countries, at least with foods. I'm assuming an inexpensive twine would not be regulated either. We offer jute bridges in our shop. I have spent hours researching different jutes. Reading reviews just about all of them complain about the petroleum smell, even ones that claim to be free of chemicals. None that we have found specifically state they are chemical free or organic. At Wal Mart jute in the tool section smells really bad compared to the stuff in the crafting section. That doesn't smell nearly as bad. One roll can smell worse than another too.

We actually have a disclaimer in the description of our ladders about the jute. You can purchase organic coconut fiber and organic hemp that is free of chemicals. The organic twines are double or triple the price of jute. I would love to phase out the jute all together, but the organics do not sell due the price difference!

Thank you motorcrab, I will spend the extra money then and find some hemp twine.

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I've bought some amazing things from the dollar tree for my crabitat. My favorite is a clear plastic globe with an opening that my hermies climb into and sit in. It reminds me of a McDonald's playland lookout.

Finally got the pools and a climbing cave set up, how's it looking so far? I did have to use like 6 zip ties to secure each side, those won't bother anything right?

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Coming along very nicely! The zip ties are great, they are what most crabbers use for attaching things!

That little hide is adorable! I’m loving the setup progress!


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I glued those flat marbles to the bottom pool so that the top pool sticks up a bit.

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Thanks guys. I think this will likely be it for now. The new stimulus changes that though, the crabs will have a 200 or so dollar budget I think. Super excited for the future.

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Gotta love the Dollar Tree! Lol. It looks great! Maybe you can get some greenery with their new budget! I like to take it and put it on top of/around their hides to give more of a natural habitat vibe! My tank looks like a jungle already and you still have me wanting to go to Dollar Tree to see what I can find and add...it never ends!


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