I'm considering saltwater crabs.

[Drake X. Bit]

I've owned a few land Hermies for a few years now, and I'm considering getting a 20 gallon tank and starting a saltwater crabitat. I've heard of community tanks with multiple different animals, and I have a few other questions.

When I started a few years ago, I got crabs that were already pretty big. I want to watch these crabs grow and mature. I already have a good amount of shells, I was curious where I could find young saltwater crabs, or saltwater crabs in general.

What other animals are good to keep with saltwater crabs? I was thinking some small things, like snails, or possibly another crustacean.

Where can I find some information on the various species of saltwater Hermies. I live in Arizona, and it's generally hot all the time, and dry. Would this effect what Hermy would be best for me?

Is there anything I should know that differs from Saltwater Hermies and Land Hermits, other than the very obvious?

I'd be very thankful for any support.

[NLindsey921]

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=51386
Found this on hermitcrabassociation under other types of crabs or whatever that page is called. Hope it helps.

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[agentcrabby]

I have saltwater tanks for.many years.

They are a HUGE commitment. Water changes, cleaning, lighting and maintenance are at least 5 hours per week, if you want a beautiful and healthy tank. They also can be quite costly due to the lighting and filtration expenses.

Don't want to dissuade you, but just so you know going in... Good.luck

Sent from The South Florida Kingdom of Hermies

[Drake X. Bit]

I've noticed that there is a large amount of information online for land crab care, but Saltwater Hermies have little to no information on how to care for them.

[aussieJJDude]

Most of the time, saltwater hermies are a beneficial part of the cleanup crew, especially in reef tanks. A Healthy SW system requires a bit of money to set up, and a further amount ($$$$ not $) to keep it running. For example, things like an RODI unit aren't cheap, nor are they effective - most of the product is "waste water", very little actually becomes pure water.
the only thing I would suggest is get live rock, and loads of it!

(Researching reef tanks or saltwater tanks will come up with your much needed answers, the only thing that differs IMO is that salt hermies are territorial, not eat the variety of food that we usually offer to our hermies, often smaller in size & don't require a stable humidity source...)

[LadyJinglyJones]

And I just wanted to reaffirm the thing about RODI wastewater - I wanted to keep amazonian fw plants that need super soft water, though my tap water is basically liquid rock, so I got a reverse osmosis unit & additives. Wasn't cheap. But after about six months, the time it took to generate the RO water + the amount of waste water it generated (and I tried to use the wastewater, so it wasn't all just draining down the sink - for gardening, especially) was just too much... it was three or four times the amount of water that was making it into the tank, and I just couldn't conscience that - not to mention waiting for it to be ready every week. Also, I purchased a cheaper unit and exuberant leaks would spring, soaking everything, if the water pressure was too high. If you do get an RODI, Do Not Buy A Cheap One. Serious. No matter how temptingly they are priced.

I gradually transitioned my tank back to a harder water environment, and sniffled as my (not inexpensive) collection of beautiful amazonian plants dissolved into yellow guck that I had to net out.

So ends my tragic tale.

[soilentgringa]

I've had a thin stripe crab for several months, and two dwarf red legged crabs were put into the tank with him, and he ate them.

Depending on the species, saltwater crabs can be aggressive and will eat other animals in the tank.

The DFWMAS (DFW Marine Aquarium Society) forum has been pretty informational. They were helpful when I took in the marine crab as a rescue.

[PinchersAndShells]

I've had a thin stripe crab for several months, and two dwarf red legged crabs were put into the tank with him, and he ate them.

Depending on the species, saltwater crabs can be aggressive and will eat other animals in the tank.

The DFWMAS (DFW Marine Aquarium Society) forum has been pretty informational. They were helpful when I took in the marine crab as a rescue.

Not to throw this off topic, but I'm curious, can we see what the setup for the crab looks like?

[Drake X. Bit]

I've had a thin stripe crab for several months, and two dwarf red legged crabs were put into the tank with him, and he ate them.

Depending on the species, saltwater crabs can be aggressive and will eat other animals in the tank.

The DFWMAS (DFW Marine Aquarium Society) forum has been pretty informational. They were helpful when I took in the marine crab as a rescue.

Not to throw this off topic, but I'm curious, can we see what the setup for the crab looks like?

I'm also very curious. I've heard of tanks with many different marine species, but I'm very interested in a just hermit tank. I fear mixing species could just be too much work for me. A great setup pic would look great!

[soilentgringa]

I'm actually packing up my apartment to move, so there won't be a pic of the permanent tank he is going into until sometime later this summer.

Right now he is in a small temporary tank because I was going to take him to someone with an established marine setup, who had also rescued a thin stripe that didn't make it.

So anyway, he is in a five gallon fish tank with live sand and live rock, a heater, an air pump, several shells, and a bajillion brine shrimp because my son put two huge pinches of brine shrimp eggs in there and now they live on the live rock as well.

The 20 gallon tank he is going in after I move will have the actual power heads that move the water instead of a pump, but for the small tank, the pump moves the water enough.

I'm the adoption coordinator here and someone in my city messaged the HCA FB page and asked about it. They had it in calcium sand; they'd brought the shell home from Galveston.

They're escape artists as well. I had to take the aquarium hood off the little tank because he kept getting out through the spaces cut out of the lid for tubing, etc. So there is a glass lid and an LED light fixture over that, that sits a little cockeyed because of the tubes, and there is also always salt buildup on everything as well.

It's important to start out with RO (reverse osmosis) water. I bought mine from the machine at Walmart.

I'll try and get some pictures after I get everything cleaned up in that area; it's actually a bit embarrassing right now!