want some input from those with successful marine tanks

annopia · Post by **annopia** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 5:46 pm

I've read the MHC care guide in this section and have researched online (and gotten books on marine aquariums) but no place really seems to focus on simply having marine hermit crabs. If I wanted to have live coral or special fish in there, I would be overwhelmed with info, but as it is I'm a bit confused. I plan on using live rock and dead (for lack of a better world) coral, and plan on having a couple scarlet hermits, a couple tricolor, and some of the striped ones. I haven't really seen any info on how the species interact, so I assume they mix well like land hermits. I'm planning on setting up this tank in the fall, and I would really appreciate help from those who have been through it before. What things are absolutely needed? optional? bad? Hopefully a few of you are willing to share your experience...

Caroline

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 2:10 pm

sure i'll tell you what I know but its all pretty basic info. I have had marine hermies all my life and my parents owned them before I was born. Marine hermies love to climb on any thing that is within their reach, coral, rocks, silicone that holds the tank together, aquarium tubing, and even each other. it is perfectly safe to mix species as I always have and never had a problem with doing so. avoid metal, I dont know exactly why but it has always been a rule to not use metal in aquariums. if you plan on using plants I recommend using the finest grass you can find but dont be surprised if it is shredded and eaten. rocks and coral are the best for climbing and exercise. frozen fish and shrimp are ideal food as that is what they eat in the wild, just be sure to remove it after the crabs no longer express interest in the food so that it does not harbor bacteria and give off poisonous toxins that are harmful to the crabs. I also recommend using florescent aquarium lights.