HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Recently realized that my thriving crabs had outgrown their crabitat and needed an upgrade. Just finished the new penthouse! 45 gal space, better substrate control, better positioned humidity control and now with both night heat and day uvb bulbs, and a second live (crab-safe) plant, both of which seem to be doing fine in glass bottles protected from digging crabs. Next up, live, crab-safe moss for an "aged" look along rocks and wood... anyone have luck growing live moss? Oh, and say hi to Sheldon, Claude and Gary...

Wow! That's a huge tank. It looks great. I'd recommend putting a lid on it though. Crabs can climb well and escape.

Autumn, that was the first thing I thought of as well - what if someone makes a run for it??!! LOL!
Looks great! Are those live plants?

Thanks! I'm trying without a cover for now... like the look. I built it to accommodate a standard cover though. They do climb! My last tank was unique and ended up with a broken piece that allowed one to figure out how to get out and onto the hardwood, but it's a closed space so he couldn't go anywhere. I let him roam a little before putting him back. This one so far so good - no climbing... yet... and yes, live plants. Pothos and Creeping Fig - both root systems are in bottles drilled with a small drain hole - plants like it and crabs can't get to them. They've done a number on the fig when they get on it so it's out of reach at the moment. So far they've left the pothos alone. Next up is live moss... noticed a thread for that in the DIY section...

Best!

Looks great! I thought the same about the lid though. If any of the crabs climb out, you'll never know of they dug down or escaped. Also, how will you keep the crabitat humid enough with no lid? You did such a nice job on the tank, it would be a shame if the crabs escaped and died.

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Totally understand... not to worry! The humidifier blows in through a hole I cut in the glass. Variable moisture settings - stays right around 72%! No climbing yet - except for the pothos they can't climb the glass - I'll move that plant more strategically. If I have to resort to a lid I will... Watching carefully. Thanks!

Beautiful tank! I also would be concerned about the humidity being consistent for them. You don't want to damage their gills. Glass lid would definitely be beneficial in making the humidity stay consistent and helping them in not escaping. They can crawl up the corners of the tank. Hermies are escape artists.