HCA: Hermit Crab Association

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.

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.

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.

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.

No one in my area uses any fertilizers, nor pesticides, which I found great for gathering materials! I will take pictures of the moss as I am unsure what type of moss it is yet. I will also be sure to research and see if it is safe for them.

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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.

I found a quick nuke of the moss in the microwave works well at getting a majority of the bugs.

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aussieJJDude wrote:I found a quick nuke of the moss in the microwave works well at getting a majority of the bugs.

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Thank you, I will try this.

KyleandZelda 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.

Depending on the mods they type, it could be beneficial for them

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.

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