A used fish tank?
A used fish tank?
Hi folks. My kids are on my back for some pet hermit crabs as a friend at school has got some and apparently it’s the new thing. I had no idea that they could be kept as pets and thought they had got their wires crossed at first, but then I did a Google search and low and behold I found a bunch of hermit crab related websites including this website. You learn something new everyday as they say. So, I’m not going to get any peace until I’ve looked into this and started the ball rolling. I’ve found a couple of websites that sell hermit crabs and related accessories but I guess the biggest and most expensive purchase will be the tank. I’ve decided to keep startup costs down by buying second hand and I’ve been looking around for used fish tanks for sale online. My question is whether a fish tank is suitable. I can’t think of a reason why not but then I’m totally new to this. Could anybody with a bit more experience weigh in here? Thanks in advance for any pointers.
Last edited by Muddy on Wed Sep 28, 2016 10:11 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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LadyJinglyJones
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Re: A used fish tank?
Lots of people use second hand fish tanks. I did.
When it comes to care, hermits are more work than they may appear - they do need a variety of different foods, changed regularly (studies have demonstrated they loose interest in a food after - if memory serves- about six an 24 hours of smelling/ having eaten it. Crabs are weird.)They need meaty protein, which can be stinky when you're spot-cleaning the tank.
Also, heat pads, or under tank heaters ( placed on the side, not underbeath the tank ) can be pricey, and you deffinately need a decent hygrometer/thermometer.... pet shop ones are cute, but cost more than what you'd get at a home depot.
Minimum of 6 inches of sand/ mixed with pets tore coconut fiber, like eco earth... all dampened to sandcastle consistency.
You also want to avoid 'hermit crab' branded stuff - it's usually not very good. Use fish dechlorinator that removes not only chlorine, but chloramines & heavy metals. Prime is the brand du jour. There are others. For salt, grab saltwater aquarium salt - round here we're all on the 'Instant Ocean' brand wagon.
Check out the care sheets an faqs for the various forums.... there's a LOT of info here.
When it comes to care, hermits are more work than they may appear - they do need a variety of different foods, changed regularly (studies have demonstrated they loose interest in a food after - if memory serves- about six an 24 hours of smelling/ having eaten it. Crabs are weird.)They need meaty protein, which can be stinky when you're spot-cleaning the tank.
Also, heat pads, or under tank heaters ( placed on the side, not underbeath the tank ) can be pricey, and you deffinately need a decent hygrometer/thermometer.... pet shop ones are cute, but cost more than what you'd get at a home depot.
Minimum of 6 inches of sand/ mixed with pets tore coconut fiber, like eco earth... all dampened to sandcastle consistency.
You also want to avoid 'hermit crab' branded stuff - it's usually not very good. Use fish dechlorinator that removes not only chlorine, but chloramines & heavy metals. Prime is the brand du jour. There are others. For salt, grab saltwater aquarium salt - round here we're all on the 'Instant Ocean' brand wagon.
Check out the care sheets an faqs for the various forums.... there's a LOT of info here.
"Gaze upon the rolling deep..."
Quince the fat tailed gecko; Amazonian minnows; and now Harry & Luis, Bede & Aster, Chandra & Jace, Pax, & Piccolo, my adopted PPs.
RIP Vegita :(
Quince the fat tailed gecko; Amazonian minnows; and now Harry & Luis, Bede & Aster, Chandra & Jace, Pax, & Piccolo, my adopted PPs.
RIP Vegita :(
Re: A used fish tank?
There's a dollar per gallon sale going on at petco right now. The ranks from 10 gallon to 55 gallons are alll included. But a used tank would work just fine! I suggest getting the largest tank you can afford if you don't plan on upgrading soon, so you have plenty of room, as they grow quickly in the correct setting. urge you to look into adoption via Craigslist, as well as our adoption listings, as there may be crabs that need homes near you. I will link our basic care guide that you'll want to read through.http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=92457
Also. Kudos mom for doing your research before making a purchase! Some tips I'll give, when you purchase a uth to mount on the side of your tank I would invest in an ultratherm the length of the back of your tank. They are cheaper, more energy efficient and removable remountable, are considered one of the best uths on the market, and can safely be insulated during colder months to keep the tank up to temp. I also suggest making sure the salt you buy is marine grade for salt water aquariums. I hope this helps!! Good luck!
Sent from my VS880PP using Tapatalk
Also. Kudos mom for doing your research before making a purchase! Some tips I'll give, when you purchase a uth to mount on the side of your tank I would invest in an ultratherm the length of the back of your tank. They are cheaper, more energy efficient and removable remountable, are considered one of the best uths on the market, and can safely be insulated during colder months to keep the tank up to temp. I also suggest making sure the salt you buy is marine grade for salt water aquariums. I hope this helps!! Good luck!
Sent from my VS880PP using Tapatalk
Re: A used fish tank?
I'm not a fan of used tanks because there's a chance that if the tank was for freshwater fish, it contains chemicals in the seals that can possibly be toxic to crabs. A common cure for several very common fishy ailments uses copper, which seeps into the aquarium sealant and then leaches back out over the lifetime of the tank.
Using used tanks for reef tanks is a huge no no. Hermit crabs are hugely sensitive to copper.
To be sure there has never been any copper in your used tank, you can fill it was water and let it age for a few days then test the water using a copper test kit. If no copper registers, you're good to go. If copper does register you can scrub the tank with muractic acid, rinse that and then scrub it with bleach and rinse that----then test again for copper. If copper remains, don't use the tank. If no copper appears--you are good to go.
SO, in addition to the cost of the used tank you can add a copper test kit, bleach, and muratic acid to the price and see if it's still below the $1.00/gallon sale going on right now at Petco and Pet Supplies Plus.
Hint: most used tanks go for $1.00/gallon but sometimes they come with extras such as lids.
Using used tanks for reef tanks is a huge no no. Hermit crabs are hugely sensitive to copper.
To be sure there has never been any copper in your used tank, you can fill it was water and let it age for a few days then test the water using a copper test kit. If no copper registers, you're good to go. If copper does register you can scrub the tank with muractic acid, rinse that and then scrub it with bleach and rinse that----then test again for copper. If copper remains, don't use the tank. If no copper appears--you are good to go.
SO, in addition to the cost of the used tank you can add a copper test kit, bleach, and muratic acid to the price and see if it's still below the $1.00/gallon sale going on right now at Petco and Pet Supplies Plus.
Hint: most used tanks go for $1.00/gallon but sometimes they come with extras such as lids.
Re: A used fish tank?
Thanks for all the tips and advice folks. Lots to think about and consider there. I'll let you know how I get on. Cheers.