Outdoor Materials in Crabitat
-
Topic author - Posts: 355
- Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 4:28 pm
Outdoor Materials in Crabitat
I have loads of untreated, natural things in my yard that I want to know if I can use in my crabitat. They include:
-Moss
-Gravel
-wood/bark
Notice:
•the gravel will only be in one area of the enclosure, where food and water bowls are to prevent dragging the EcoEarth into the dishes.
•The wood Will be used with the gravel, as well as using sticks for climbing.
•I will most definitely thoroughly clean all items before placing them in the crabitat, and I'm 100% sure there are no chemicals or pesticides on any of the items. Everything is organic.
-Moss
-Gravel
-wood/bark
Notice:
•the gravel will only be in one area of the enclosure, where food and water bowls are to prevent dragging the EcoEarth into the dishes.
•The wood Will be used with the gravel, as well as using sticks for climbing.
•I will most definitely thoroughly clean all items before placing them in the crabitat, and I'm 100% sure there are no chemicals or pesticides on any of the items. Everything is organic.
Last edited by hermiwormi on Wed Apr 25, 2018 7:37 pm, edited 2 times in total.
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2018 4:56 pm
- Location: TX
Re: Outdoor Materials in Crabitat
I'm not sure about the gravel, or the moss. I'm not the most experienced with topics like this.
I would wait for others to post, before you add it.
For the wood, you just need to find what kind of wood it is, and see if it's safe.
I would wait for others to post, before you add it.
For the wood, you just need to find what kind of wood it is, and see if it's safe.
I CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
An experienced owner of many pets, I do not have crabs but have siblings with many, so I have knowledge about them.
I'm mainly focussed on caring for my fish, and my leopard gecko.
An experienced owner of many pets, I do not have crabs but have siblings with many, so I have knowledge about them.
I'm mainly focussed on caring for my fish, and my leopard gecko.
-
- Posts: 1341
- Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2017 7:08 am
- Location: Texas
Re: Outdoor Materials in Crabitat
Well, you really need to be aware of what can have pesticides or any fertilizers on them, they aren't crab safe.
What type of moss? Hermit crabs can have sphagum, new zealand sphagnum, spanish moss, and more!
The gravel should be fine, just wash it really well. I personally would boil it for a short time. Be cautious with the wood, also following the safe woods for the crabs
Most woods that are safe would include Oak, Maple, Mopani, Grape, and other types of woods.
I personally only use cholla, mopani, any grapewood in my tanks.
What type of moss? Hermit crabs can have sphagum, new zealand sphagnum, spanish moss, and more!
The gravel should be fine, just wash it really well. I personally would boil it for a short time. Be cautious with the wood, also following the safe woods for the crabs

Most woods that are safe would include Oak, Maple, Mopani, Grape, and other types of woods.
I personally only use cholla, mopani, any grapewood in my tanks.
Crabber Since 2016
7 Caribbeans & 2 Ecuadorians
I am the proud owner of my hermit crabs, aquarium fish, and isopod totes!
7 Caribbeans & 2 Ecuadorians
I am the proud owner of my hermit crabs, aquarium fish, and isopod totes!
-
Topic author - Posts: 355
- Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 4:28 pm
Re: Outdoor Materials in Crabitat
No one in my area uses any fertilizers, nor pesticides, which I found great for gathering materials!StellaCrab wrote:Well, you really need to be aware of what can have pesticides or any fertilizers on them, they aren't crab safe.
What type of moss? Hermit crabs can have sphagum, new zealand sphagnum, spanish moss, and more!
The gravel should be fine, just wash it really well. I personally would boil it for a short time. Be cautious with the wood, also following the safe woods for the crabs![]()
Most woods that are safe would include Oak, Maple, Mopani, Grape, and other types of woods.
I personally only use cholla, mopani, any grapewood in my tanks.

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk
-
- Administrator
- Posts: 7312
- Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2016 6:56 pm
- Location: Florida
- Contact:
Re: Outdoor Materials in Crabitat
Hello
I would like for you to know that first and foremost, no matter what precautions are taken, whatever you have as your substrate will more than likely end up in your food and water bowls
As far as the wood - make sure it is on the safe list and that no pesticides or fertilizers have been used - depending on where you live, you can bake it or freeze it to kill potential bugs so they don't get into your crabitat.
As far as the gravel - I would boil it - especially if taken from a creek or other type of water source.
As far as moss - be careful doing this - you can unknowingly bring in bugs to your crabitat.


As far as the wood - make sure it is on the safe list and that no pesticides or fertilizers have been used - depending on where you live, you can bake it or freeze it to kill potential bugs so they don't get into your crabitat.

As far as the gravel - I would boil it - especially if taken from a creek or other type of water source.
As far as moss - be careful doing this - you can unknowingly bring in bugs to your crabitat.
Truly blessed to have incredible creatures, wonderful friends and my amazing family in my life!! I'm very thankful & grateful for all of them! www.thehealthyhermit.com
-
- Administrator
- Posts: 5010
- Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:12 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Contact:
Re: Outdoor Materials in Crabitat
I found a quick nuke of the moss in the microwave works well at getting a majority of the bugs.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
|| Avid Aquarist Addict (2007) || Crazy Crabbing Connoisseur (2012) || Amateur Aroid Admirer (2014) ||
I strive to make HCA a welcoming space for all
Infrequently on due to studies, on a little more on in FB group
I strive to make HCA a welcoming space for all
Infrequently on due to studies, on a little more on in FB group
-
Topic author - Posts: 355
- Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 4:28 pm
Re: Outdoor Materials in Crabitat
Thank you, I will try this.aussieJJDude wrote:I found a quick nuke of the moss in the microwave works well at getting a majority of the bugs.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
-
- Posts: 927
- Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2017 7:19 pm
Re: Outdoor Materials in Crabitat
Depending on the mods they type, it could be beneficial for themKyleandZelda wrote:I'm not sure about the gravel, or the moss. I'm not the most experienced with topics like this.
I would wait for others to post, before you add it.
For the wood, you just need to find what kind of wood it is, and see if it's safe.
One or hopefully two Clypeatus
Goodbye my little E. See you soon.
Bye Fred. You lasted almost 4 years with me. Hope you're with my E now! See you soon Reeba as well. I can't believe I lost you only after a month.
Crabbing for 4 years!
Goodbye my little E. See you soon.
Bye Fred. You lasted almost 4 years with me. Hope you're with my E now! See you soon Reeba as well. I can't believe I lost you only after a month.
Crabbing for 4 years!
-
- Posts: 4352
- Joined: Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:18 pm
- Location: Dallas, TX
Re: Outdoor Materials in Crabitat
I wouldn't bother with the gravel. It will end up buried in the substrate and won't really prevent the water from getting sand or EE in it. It can get stuck inside shells as they burrow once it's in the sub.
Sent from my LGMS550 using Tapatalk
Sent from my LGMS550 using Tapatalk