I'm new to hermit crabs, and I've been reading non-stop about them since me and my partner decided we wanted to get a small pet. We've saved up money and tomorrow is pay day, and we're going out and getting everything we need!
I would love people's opinions and experiences on a few things.. just so I know what to expect and hopefully don't fuss too much about them in the beginning. (Though I am going to fuss...)
Our plans are to get a 20gal Long tank to start, with 4 crabs. There's one in particular that is medium to large sized that I am definitely going to get. We would like to get him, and 2 med to med-small, and one smaller. Sort of a graduating size of crabs. (Is this a good starting number? I realize I will likely upgrade in the future.)
Substrate plans are a mixture of Play Sand and EcoEarth. (Ratio preferences? Opinions on mixing?)
I'll get Instant Ocean for SW, and hopefully Aqueon brand for FW conditioner. We live on a well system in our house, but I believe our water is still chlorinated--I would rather be safe than sorry, so I am getting water conditioner just in case!
Food is the big thing I'd love opinions on. I'd like to get at least 2 retail foods for them as a 'staple' diet.. and I'll work in fresh fruits and vegetables and meats and seeds and the like with it. But just something to have around all the time that wont rot or attract bugs would be great! I know they enjoy shrimp and meal worms and bloodworms--I'd love to get a mealworm or a shrimp dry food for them to mix in with the fresh stuff. Any suggestions here? (I live near a Petco and a local pet store that offers very similar variety of retail things.)
I'm going to be buying extra shells from walmart, and cleaning them thoroughly before offering them to the little guys. I'm also gonna pick up a net for decoration and climbing. Once we've got them stable and happy I plan on buying up a ton of shells from the ever popular Naples Sea Shells online. I love their stuff!
Everything else will come from that local pet store, mostly. Decor, climbing, a UTH, thermometer and hygrometer etc.
In the future, I plan on doing/getting the following:
A heat lamp--provided it's necessary. (I live in Alaska, and it gets very cold in the winter as you might imagine. Any other cold-environment people--could you tell me what you do for heating/humidity?)
More decor, Always!
Maybe an overhead lamp for viewing, but it's not necessary.
Make tide pools and corner shacks and an upper level climbing place!
Get a bubbler (air tank I suppose?) for the tide pools to keep up humidity.
Wow that's a lot of information hahah! I'm so sorry!
I will likely post a ton of pictures once we get everything and set it up.
I'd love people's advice! Thanks so much in advance
Sounds like you've been doing your research! This is a great place to be with sooooo many experienced crabbers and their wealth of knowledge! A few things I might suggest. You may want to consider setting up your tank first before bringing home the new hermies just so everything is good and ready for them including your heat and humidity. ( not sure if you were planning that already but just a mention ). Ratio of plays sand to EE would be 5 parts play sand to 1 part EE, sand castle consistency. Also, you want to make the depth of your sub at least 3x the height of your largest hermie - lessens the chances of hermie homicide during molts 
Bubble pools are great - would recommend a T-connector and air valve controller so you can control the amount of bubbling, along with the air stones if course. Moss is always good to help humidity. The instant ocean and dechlorinators you chose sound good. We have been through a gamut of different UTHs ( under tank heaters) and I would strongly recommend putting in a little extra money and getting an ultratherm. Measure the backside length of your tank and get the ultratherm that fits the length. You can insulate on top of it if needed for extra heat. For lighting we purchased a marine land brand light from Drs. Foster and Smith that has LED lights, plant lights, and night light. For food, our guys usually eat scraps of what we are eating, unseasoned of course, such as beef, chicken, shrimp, fruits and veggies. Occasionally they will get foods from Hermies Kitchen, Crabotanicals, and The Hermit Crab Patch. 4 hermies, I would say would be the max for a 20 g tank. 
Would love to see your tank set up and pics of your new hermies!
