HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Ah, okay, that makes sense now that you explained it and the photo. You went to a lot of work to figure all of that out! Nature has temperature gradients, so I am sure the crabs appreciate gradients in the tank too. As long as none of the gradients are way above or way below the recommended temps/ h...

I like to bust up the plain rice cakes into my soup! I used to eat them with peanut butter and honey, back in the day before flavored rice cakes were a thing, LOL. Now I just put peanut butter on the caramel ones. Brown rice and wild rice are on the safe list! Look under the 'b' for brown rice, not ...

I am the queen of the blankets! LOL! I live on the Canadian prairies, where the temperatures can range from +40C in summer to -40C in winter. My house is an old farm house that has forced air heat on the main floor and base board heaters upstairs. I do not have air conditioning. My crabs are in my s...

Just wanted a little shout out/ positive feedback for HCP. Not only are the products great, and the shipping fast....but they also refunded me because the actual shipping was $1.80 less than what I had been charged at check out! Most online shopping places will just keep the difference. Big kudos to...

If you look in the photos, or use the 'search' function, you can see a bunch of ideas for a second level. I haven't added one, but some people have done some amazing things! Also with bridges or climbing things made of hemp or netting. Something simple like a plastic shower caddy with really good su...

Many of us use an Acurite digital thermometer/ hygrometer. You want the biggest UTH that will fit on the back of your tank from the top of the sub to the top of the tank - go by size (inches) not by how many gallons it says it will heat. Ultratherm and Flukers are excellent UTH's - they are attached...

It may also depend on the size of the crab and the size and shape of the shell, as to how many claws and legs are seen.
Are you able to use Tapatalk and post a photo of your new crab?

I have had my crabs for over 9 years, and have never changed out the sub completely. I have added more when I upgraded tanks and as the crabs have grown. I don't scoop out poop. Ever. I suppose I was thinking of the poop as more of organic waste that would break down like compost and just become mor...

Motor crab also fed a crab who had dropped it's limbs, if you search you should be able to find the thread.

Are all of your surviving surface molters now isolated from the other crabs?

My humidity almost always runs at 90 (right now in winter it's so dry on the Canadian prairies) and above. I haven't had huge problems with mold. There really isn't any such thing as 'too humid', it's fine for the crabs.

If you offer appropriate natural shells in appropriate sizes, they will almost always choose the natural ones over the painted ones. If they like that painted one, be sure to offer similar type/ weight of natural shells. When someone leaves a painted one, take it out of the tank.

Don't feel bad - many of us got our crabs and had no idea what we were doing! LOL! You have a better start than many of us did, and it is fabulous that you are looking at making improvements! You found the right website for it. I have had my two crabs for over 9 years, and the HCA has been my only s...

I am not even going to look at the links that AussieJJ posted - I would have way too much crabitat envy!!

I will give my advice in bold, below. 1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? 20g and 10g tank connected. In the 20g it is coconut fiber, deepest end is 6in. In the 10g it is playsand only a couple inches deep. Curly - Sub should be at least 6 inches through the whole set ...

Yes, the coco fiber is what you will see referred to as EE (Eco Earth). That's good stuff. Many of us mix it with play sand in a ratio of 5 parts play sand (like HG said, cheap!) with one part EE. The Fluker's mix that you posted is okay, but will cost you a lot to get deep enough substrate. I also ...