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ChristianCuber /r/hermitcrabs
2 points
1970-01-19 07:10:07.465 +0000 UTC

There isn't any easy all-in-one solution. its easy to setup an enclosure, but it's going to probably cost more than you originally thought. These creatures are sold and marketed as simple, easy, cheap throw away pets as if they were 'seamonkeys'. they are not. They have quite a few requirements to ensure a long life - and long it can be. The oldest crab currently in captivity is 44 years old last I checked and we humans really don't know what the life expectancy is.

It would be good to do some research on this before jumping in if you want to do it right and not set them up for a year of suffering and suffocation as they slowly die.

Some key attributes to a solid enclosure are listed below:

  • at least 80 degrees at all times
  • At least 80% humidity at all times (so they can breath - they don't have lungs and they don't breath air. They have modified gills that pull oxygen
  • Available Fresh water pool deep enough for your biggest crab to fully submerge.
  • Available Salt water pool deep enough for your biggest to fully submerge.
  • AT LEAST 6 inches of substrate - can be anything from 100% dry play sand to a 5:1 ratio mix with cocofiber. Do not use 100% cocofiber. Also keep in mind that dry sand will eventually saturate in a humid environment to the perfect consistency.
  • Tank has to be sealed to retain the humidity and heat. Consider a glass lid for your enclosure.
  • To heat you want to place a UTH on the upper back - outside of the tank. It is also suggested to insulate that by covering it with Reflectix (can be picked up at any hardware store or amazon)
  • Shells, You want to have a good variety and selection of natural shells. I will provide links to some reputable vendors. If you have Purple Pincers, you want to specifically look for "turbo" shells. the snakeskin turbo and Mexican turbos seem to be the most popular in my tank.
  • Lastly is the diet. They are scavengers so they eat a wide variety of foods, but you should be aware of their requirements to make sure you always have certain staples for them and also to be aware of what is toxic to them. Here is a great resource for all things hermit diet: Kilimanjaro's Hermits: Kilimanjaro's Guide to Hermit Crab Nutrition

Here are some links to tried and tested products.

UTH: https://beanfarm.com/collections/heating/undertank-heaters

Reflectix: https://www.amazon.com/Reflective-Insulation-Industrial-Commercial-Weatherproofing/dp/B07G653KPM/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=reflectix&qid=1581006697&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEySTdKN0pNOENWUU40JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjcwMTY0M042UkhSOEo1WFk4QiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTM5MzE2MUQ4N1ZDS1AxVUdBMyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= Price size and brand can vary.

Water conditioner - https://www.amazon.com/Seachem-Prime-Fresh-Saltwater-Conditioner/dp/B00025694O/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=prime&qid=1581006762&sr=8-2

Salt - https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Ocean-Aquariums-Nitrate-Phosphate-Free/dp/B000255NKA/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=instant+ocean&qid=1581006790&sr=8-2 You ca use Insta-Reef salt as well.

Shells - https://deltonaseashells.com/turbo-trochus-shells

http://naplesseashellcompany.com/hermit_crab_shells_with_round_shape_openings.html

https://www.etsy.com/listing/248492842/mexican-turbo-sea-shell-beach-craft

Aquarium - hit up pet supplies plus for the 1$ per gallon sales or search our craigslist in your area (sometimes you can get them free if you pick them up)

Pre-made hermit food that isn't toxic - https://www.etsy.com/listing/622045529/sampler-pack?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=hermit+food&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&organic_search_click=1&bes=1

Cocofiber - https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Eco-Earth-Pack/dp/B0010OSIHW/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=coco+fiber&qid=1581007162&sr=8-2

Sand - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Quikrete-50-lb-Play-Sand-111351/100318476

Glass lids - https://www.amazon.com/fish-aquarium-hoods/b?node=2975457011

Pools - you can use anything from Tupperware to Kritter Keepers. Just make sure that you have at least a bubbler in each. it will help aerate the water and push it into the air to build humidity.

I'm sure many others will chime in. there are a lot of options and different setups out there. the key is making sure you have all the key parts covered.

Wishing you the best! Once setup, it is SUPER easy to maintain.

sama-llama /r/hermitcrabs
14 points
1970-01-19 01:42:16.141 +0000 UTC

First and foremost, get him a friend!!! Hermies are pretty cheap at most pet stores, but they do not do well on their own. They will literally die from loneliness without socialization.

I have heard anywhere from 10 to 15 gallons per crab, I keep my 4 in an Exo-Terra 24x18x18 tank with front opening doors and a mesh top. The mesh top means I do have to mist them once a day, but I prefer it to a fully enclosed model. Sadly I couldn't find any on Amazon. By the way, the rock formation in the back of the tank is just a styrofoam insert, which I removed before decorating. Mine is admittedly a bit smaller than I would like, but they have enough room to dig and explore their environment, plus they can escape each other if they need alone time.

Basically I filled the bottom with a mix of coconut fiber and plain old play sand (1:5 or 1:6 ratio depending on your ambient humidity and how well the sand binds to itself) and wet down the entire thing until the sand is damp and holds its shape so they can burrow but not so much that it is sloppy or muddy. Don't want to drown the crabs!! I slapped a medium-size warming mat on one side of the tank (outside) below the substrate so they had a warm spot and can thermo regulate and filled the inside with things to keep them busy. Make sure they have room to dig!! Minimum depth should be either 6" or the height of your tallest crab plus 2". Then create a slow grade slope to the other end of your tank up to about 10"-12".

Lots of balsa wood and other branches to climb over, plenty of hides (coconut halves, hollow logs, fake rocks) flat bottom dishes (which they enjoy burrowing under) and fake plants. I have two small dishes for food, one for a basic organic hermit crab diet that I supplement with dried brine shrimp and another for fresh fruits and veggies, both for which are cleaned and replaced each day.

I also have two larger dishes that I use for wading pools. One is filled with fresh water and the other with salt water. Hermit crabs require both, as they drink the fresh water but require salt/brackish water for bathing. Again, refill daily. Mine enjoy throwing sand in them when they dig, but it's simple enough to just flip them over, rinse them out and refill. I use Instant Ocean, but mix any marine salt according to package instructions. Make sure that they are shallow and easy for the crabs to climb in and out of, though, as they will accidentally drown if they can't get out of a pool that is too deep.

I also make sure that they have cuttlebone available for additional calcium as well as spare shells of various sizes and I sprinkle in a few mini catappa leaves, which are rich in tannins and have anti fungal and antibacterial properties. Without a good source of calcium, desperate crabs will often cannibalize or steal each other's exoskeletons during the molting process.

One last thing: always condition your crab's water!! The chlorine in tap water isn't good for them. I have a single bottle which I use for my crabs and all my reptiles. I simply mix a whole gallon at a time and keep it in a jug and I have barely put a dent in it, so it really is a sound investment.

Here are some links to the items I use:

Water conditioner (note it says for reptiles, but it's exactly the same as the conditioner for hermit crabs): Zoo Med ReptiSafe Water... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002568SG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Hermit crab food: All Natural Hermit Crab Food by... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FJ6BVVG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Cholla wood branches: SunGrow Natural Cholla Wood, 3... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FJFFY6K?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Zoo Med thermometer and humidity gauge: Zoo Med Labs Digital Thermometer... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XY3X7P9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Coconut hide: Eco-friendly Hermit Crab hut -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MR7XKXH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Small rock dishes: Fluker's Corner Rock Dish / Bowl... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NG0GMAI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Floating cuttlebone: Zoo Med Laboratories SZMTB1... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CCVLUS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Water dishes: Senzeal Trapezoid Reptile Water... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075L8Y6RF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Catappa leaves: 50 Mini Catappa Leaves - Best way... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G78H5XS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Compressed coconut fiber: Zoo Med Eco Earth Compressed... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TNLIANQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Play sand:Mighty Max Battery Rechargeable... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005C6E3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Instant Ocean sea salt: Instant Ocean Sea Salt for Marine... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255NKA?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Please note: I am not a vet or a professional, just an avid hobbyist and these are just the things that work for me. My crabs are happy and healthy and have been since I've gotten them. If anyone has better information or advice please feel free to correct me, just don't be a jerk about it, please. :) I am happy to accept that there are different ways of doing things.

Also feel free to ask any questions either as a reply or send me a PM. All four of my hermit crabs are PPs (purple pincers) for anyone curious.

_x0sobriquet0x_ /r/hermitcrabs
2 points
1970-01-20 03:24:17.884 +0000 UTC
  • More substrate. You can add it slowly & gently, about an inch at a time while they're down.

  • Heat source - you canpurchase a heating pad for cheap and stick it to the side/back of the tank (not underneath)

  • Deeper pools - salt & fresh you want them deep enough for your largest crab to fully submerge in but easy enough for the smallest to climb out of. Food storage containers are cheap pools and craft mesh works well for ladders.

  • Reptivines are great decor and provide climbing and hiding opportunities.

  • Additional hides - having multiple hides help prevent territory fights. I have a couple of terracotta plant pots turned on their sides and stuffed with moss to help with humidity

  • Additional levels - you can create more space by adding shower shelves or similar - mine are moss pits and include foraging opportunities

  • Foraging - I have urchin shells stuffed with foraging mix stashed around the tank - moss shelves.

  • Shells - you can never have too many. They should be size appropriate and larger... turbo shells are pretty popular with most land hermies. Shell opening measurement is what you want to pay attention to. You look like you've got a decent collection of appropriate shells(depending on your crabs size)

Honestly though you look like you're off to a great start with a solid foundational set up. Beyond deeper substrate and pools everything else is gravy.

curiouslilac /r/SeaMonkeys
5 points
1970-01-20 08:21:04.453 +0000 UTC

This is the right stuff. Instant Ocean is an aquarium salt that will give you the correct mineral & pH balance.

It’s 25 grams of salt per litre of distilled water.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255NKA?tag=onamzjohnbozi-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=B000255NKA&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1BLV20P3NQVL8