HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Heat lamps for reptiles are what I and other crabbers have always used. What kind of lamps are you even talking about? Reptile heat lamps are made to handle the high temperatures, and are safe. Both the fixtures, and the bulbs. Safely heating a 2 gallon using any method would be delicate. A heating ...

3. Is a heat source used in the tank? If so, what? heat lamp yellow Stop using this. You are going to burn your hermit crabs to death. The HCA has an approved list of heating lamps. Heating and Lighting: viewtopic.php?f=26&t=92543 Dude, heat lamps can be a valid method of warming the tank safely. W...

When I've had weird losses in the past, I toss all the sub and moss and start fresh with a cleaned up tank. It's a hassle, but either something had been off in there or it reset the juju of the tank or something, and the deaths always stopped. The mites usually aren't anything to worry about, they a...

I dehydrated the whole pepper and ground it all up (but be careful) You will kill yourself with the dust! My crabs love pepper! I think I probably have told this story a few times now, but I maced myself grinding hot peppers for the crabs several years back. Full on swollen eyes and barely being ab...

The substrate has to be maintained with moisture being added in as needed, same as any tank as it ages, but yes it probably needs rewet more often. It also has the effect of raising the humidity and keeping it steady since the warming of the substrate causes evaporation into the air. I think many ke...

That's funny, because mine never ate the seeds!

I have always used pads that reach from top to bottom, covering all the substrate, so if its working for you I would not recommend a change. Having the UTH that close to a wall will actually act as insulation. Less air flow means more heat buildup in the gap, and that will reflect back into the tank...

CFL bulbs (coiled flourescent) aren't considered the best option, as their output is erratic and extremely low. Testing shows the UVB dispersal is only close to the bulb and in a very tight cone. Florescent strip lights are much better at covering an enclosure, and those cost a bit more. For reptile...

Yep, I remember UVB being important when I had crabs years ago. It's still personal choice, as it isn't something they need for survival. The cost can be prohibitive, as the fixtures and bulbs are expensive, and the bulbs must be replaced every 6 to 12 months depending on brand because they only pr...

Crabs don't need sunlight to process calcium, their bodies work differently than vertebrates. Any kind of lighting during daytime hours will work to give them a normal day/night cycle, but if you wanted to go with UVB you may notice more activity and brighter colors.

Where it's been mined from. Sand beds usually occur in ancient streams, rivers, lakes and oceans - formations that are gone and buried for millions of years. There are pockets of sand all over the place, and each one is going to have a different composition due to the rocks that were weathered to fo...

Any of the quikrete sands are safe, I've been using all-purpose in one of my tanks for a few years now. You don't need to do anything to playsand because its already been washed and sterilized. Honestly, the other sands are safe to use as is. We don't recommend doing anything to them. If you are ser...

Aquarium fertilizer is made to be taken up by all parts of the plant, like a bath. It isn't going to have any affect on terrestrial plants, especially not in such small amounts. Maybe look into organic terrarium fertilizers for amphibian enclosures? Those should also be crab safe, so long as they ar...

It may annoy him but it won't hurt him. Something caused their numbers to go a little crazy, so they are out hunting for a meal. I would change the food out more often, and maybe scoop a bit of sand around the bowls when you do. That should help bring the population back down.

I'm worried about humidity level as well, that one can be a slow killer if it's too dry. Not sure if you are in the humid part of Texas or the desert part? If that isn't it, then it could be contamination by something. When I've had this happened I gutted everything, changed the substrate completely...