HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hello all!!

I am new to the crabby world! I recently bought a used 110 gallon tank for $50!!! It’s still a work in progress

So far I’ve transferred 5 of my 8 crabs to the new digs and I’m still waiting on the final 3 to make their appearance above ground (they are hiding out in the old 20 gallon tank)
Any ideas on things I should add or change? Thank you




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh wow, what a good deal for a tank! I bet your crabbies are going to have a good time in there.
I'm curious about the lights. Are they hanging inside the tank? If so, I would think the high humidity might short them out quickly. Also, if one or both is giving off heat, I would worry about the hermies being able to climb onto the lamp and burn it's little legs. Those domes can get pretty hot (I use one for my tortoise). So you might want to keep them out of the tank above a lid if you can. Also, heat lamps can zap humidity quickly, so you'll want to keep an eye on that.
I can't tell from the pics, but is there an easy way in and out of the pool aquariums? You'll want to put some kind of mesh, egg crate, Cholla wood, ramp, etc in the pools that makes it easy to climb out so they don't get stuck in there.
I'm also not sure from the pics, but do you have a lid to make sure the crabbies don't escape? (Also to keep humidity in).
Great job and I hope the other guys come up soon so you can transfer them in!

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

Thank you!!

I do have plexiglass lids keeping it covered. So I should keep the heat lamps outside the tank? I was having issues keeping the temp up because I keep my house fairly chilly, and the tank is so large. I moved one of the lamps closer to the pools to warm up the water and add humidity. I think the lamps are un-reachable by the crabs. How would I keep it warm enough?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I swapped out the pools after this pic but it shows how I keep it covered.

Have you consider an UTH (under tank heater)? For crabs, they are always mounted on the back or side, just above the substrate line. There are types that can be insulated over as well. They create heat but don't zap humidity.

Candicesmith23 wrote:Thank you!!

I do have plexiglass lids keeping it covered. So I should keep the heat lamps outside the tank? I was having issues keeping the temp up because I keep my house fairly chilly, and the tank is so large. I moved one of the lamps closer to the pools to warm up the water and add humidity. I think the lamps are un-reachable by the crabs. How would I keep it warm enough?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You would be surprised at how well crabs can climb to reach things. I would definitely keep the day light out of the tank if you can. And like Curly said, you can get an uth to warm up the tank (or more than one since your tank is so large). I'm lucky, my house stays between 75-78 so I don't need a heater for them.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

Ohhhh ok! I wasn’t sure if those mat heaters would be worth it. I will definitely get a couple instead of those heat lamps. Thank you guys for the help. I’m really hoping to keep these guys happy for many years to come.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Candicesmith23 wrote:Ohhhh ok! I wasn’t sure if those mat heaters would be worth it. I will definitely get a couple instead of those heat lamps. Thank you guys for the help. I’m really hoping to keep these guys happy for many years to come.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You're welcome! Since I don't use an uth, I'm not sure what brands are better (I think a lot of people say the Zoo Med brand doesn't work well though). But there might be some info in the care sheets, or other members could tell you what they use. Have a great night!

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

Many use the Ultratherm. Can be purchased at beanfarm.com or reptilebasic.com. it can be insulated. You would need a size that covers the entire back, from the top of the substrate to top of tank. Do you have a therm/hygrometer? Digital are best.

Hermiesguardian wrote:Many use the Ultratherm. Can be purchased at beanfarm.com or reptilebasic.com. it can be insulated. You would need a size that covers the entire back, from the top of the substrate to top of tank. Do you have a therm/hygrometer? Digital are best.

I do. It’s analog though. I move it from one side to the other to make sure the entire tank has the right temp and humidity levels. Thank you for those sites. All this is pretty new to me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk