HCA: Hermit Crab Association

If you have the recommended play sand and EE mix, could Cypress Mulch Bedding be put on top or could that cause injury to crabs trying to dig down to molt? Some people are leary about adding any kind of sub or changing to a different one but I was just wondering.

I already have shells with a 1 1/4" opening in there so I'll go with a 1 1/2" opening.

The shells in my tank range from 7/8" - 1 1/8". What is the next size up from a 1 1/8" round opening?

Yeah, I agree it's going to be hard not adding new crabs to my colony. My mom has already told me I need to stick to just two. I'm thinking a 29 Gallon will be as big as I'll go.

I don't need to upgrade right now, my crabs are both in shells with 7/8" openings and they're both in a 20 Gallon, but I need to know what size I'll need next. I'm planning to upgrade when they're in shells with 1 1/8" openings. The table my 20 will be sitting on is 30 x 12.

I found a store that carries Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Sand which is what I bought. The problem is that the store closest to where my mom lives doesn't carry that brand.

I was wondering because I saw it in a pet store marketed towards reptiles and apparently it is completely safe to use with hermits. Thank you for clarifying that!

I feed my crabs only stuff from the safe list. I've fed mine sweet potatoes and carrots before for beta carotene. One of my crabs I've only had for about six months, so when he came up from his molt in February, I got him started on foods high in beta carotene to enhance his color. Right now, he's d...

I know most, if not all, crabbers use play sand and EE but this appears to be pure desert sand. I already have the recommended mix in my tank but I was wondering whether this sand could be used with hermits if it's moistened. Is it like calcium sand and it hardens when dried? I know there is no need...

Yeah, I do have some catappa and oak leaves that I placed directly on the sub so the crabs can get their tannin. But I'll put some raw unseasoned beef and cherries on a clam shell.

Yeah, that makes sense. I'll go back to using the food bowls.

Yeah, I agree. That can be dangerous for my crabs. My mom and I are going to find a way to return it and use the play sand we have at the house.

Has anyone ever tried placing food on the sub to stimulate foraging behavior? I saw someone doing that on YouTube with their crabs and I thought I would give it a try and my crabs have become much more active with this technique. The person in the video I watched said that crabs will become bored wi...

I bought live sand from a PetSmart in Allen, TX thinking it would be a good sub for my crabs but I didn't get a receipt. I have since learned after talking to somebody at Petco via live chat that that sand is not good for hermits because of the live bacteria added and the lady at the PetSmart I boug...

To them, it's an impulse buy and I'm being taught not to buy on impulse.