HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Yo yo yo, in all my time here at the HCA, I've noticed a distinct lack of tote crabitats. A lot of people, especially newbies, seem to think that crabs HAVE to be kept in a tank, at least that's what I noticed However, that is not the case. Totes are the perfect solution for people who cannot afford upgrades for their teeny tiny 10 gallons or are students (like me!) who have to either move their crabs from residence to home or just can't afford that gleaming 100g you saw on kijiji. Plus they are used extensively in the reptile hobby and my larger crestie, Treeko, is kept in a tote too. So without further ado, here is my "clean" HCA tutorial as I set up my second tote, bringing me up to about 80G. 8D Watch out for it on tumblr where I base it off the waffle ice cream sandwich tutorial. ;D

STEP ONE: GET THAT BEAUTIFUL CLEAR TOTE AND DRILL SO MANY HOLES IN IT, YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE LOOKING FOR LIQUID GOLD. OR YOU DID WHAT I DID WITH THE OTHER TOTES AND TURN GHETTO WITH THE LIGHTER AND THE SCREWDRIVER. KIDDIES, HAVE YOUR PARENTS DO THAT.


STEP TWO: ADD AND SOAK EE CUZ THAT STUFF BE GREEDY FO' WATER. SHOULD'VE BEEN A SEPARATE PIC BUT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LEAVE THE NON-CRAB PEOPLE TO DO STUFF FOR YOU.

STEP THREE: ADD YOUR BODYWEIGHT IN SAND.


STEP FOUR: BUILD SAND TURTLE.


STEP FIVE: ADD ALL YOUR OTHER STUFF CUZ THIS IS WHERE I GOT LAZY AND SAID SCREW IT. STICK ON YOUR UTH AND ADD CRABS.

Awwwwwwwe yeeeeeee.
The only cons about this are the lack of LARGE sizes and you don't get as much climbing height. Mine can still climb so they're not squished up against the lid but I think the pros make it worth it. 8D

haha cute read! Could you stick a tote upside down on top of your tote and cut out the top for access? You might get more climbing room, and it wouldn't have to be the same height, you could get one with the same size around but just shorter.

You probably could, I've never had the time to figure out how to make a good fitting lid for it though. If anyone wants to try that out and it works, lemme know!

Can I give my sand turtle a lion's tail, or would that disrupt the process?

ok so if you get a second one to add height that means you would cut the bottom off for access. Well if you cut it just right you can modify it some and use it as a lid for the tote... Maybe that could work??

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aww, will sand tortiose work instead of a turtle?

can't totes just stack on top of each other??? Then cut off the bottom and cut off most of the lid - but needs a lip for support and then it is a super high tote..

Amethyst wrote:Can I give my sand turtle a lion's tail, or would that disrupt the process?

Only if you give it a second head, otherwise yes, it will disrupt the process. Another alternative is the sand tortoise, as Chelsea mentioned

In theory, I do believe the two totes on top of each other would work, however I don't have any desire to try it out right now. Being poor, I don't wish to experiment because although cheap, I don't have the money to throw away on a tote in case I screw up. If anyone else wants to do it, then by all means go ahead. This is just the basic tutorial to combat those who think that setting up a tote is more work than setting up a tank. ^.^

Bumping this for when I set up my new tub enclosure!

I forgot the sand turtle, my babies I failed yoooooooooooooou!

I actually have my ruggies/PP tank as a storage box and am planning on adding a second identical one when they get bigger to give more height *if* I can work out the logistics of it. I have enough trouble getting into the viola tank since it is high up and you have to each down in.

It's.... so....awesome O3o
I think the tote thing would only work if their lid was the same dimensions as their footprint, since most are made to stack inside of eachother and have a smaller footprint than their lid. However a connecting tube might be a very easy thing to do since it's all plastic

Omigod MLS, you horrible person! D: You're gonna have to start from scratch! The sand turtle is ESSENTIAL, gosh darn it!

A connecting tube would be cool too, seal that sucker in place with aquarium silicone and be like, "Whuddup guys, today you're all hamsters."

Great job! I used a huge tote for a while last summer. I added screening and well....they escaped a lot! If I ever do it again I'll drill a bunch of holes like you have. I also use a tote for one of my cresties, Calcifer.

Kuza, awesome idea using another tote flipped over on top to add height!

I now know what to do with my old tote in my room! MORE CRABBIES!!!

What a cute read Like the creativity.