New Crab Mama Living and Learning

[HermusCrabus]

Hi everyone!

2 weeks ago, we acquired 2 hermies. What started out as my husband tell me that he was going to buy our daughter a hermit crab resulted in me immediately researching for hours. We now have 2 herms in a 10 gallon tank and I am in the process of remaining their space to be efficient, enriching, and appropriate.

I want to say hi and am going to reach and read and read to get the best advice/suggestions/recommendations to keep these two cuties as happy and healthy as they can be fore as long as I can manage.

In the past two weeks, I have gathered a majority of my research here and am excited to continue the journey. I do not support the herm industry (and now hubs decision to buy) AND I am NOT a buy to die pet owner. These cabbies are now ours. It is my mission to keep them alive/healthy/spoiled little hermisses.

I appreciate all starter tips aside from the 6-inch at least 5to1 substrate, salt and fresh water, hiding places, climbing places, 5 shells each, 85-85 temp and humidity, leafy greenery, don't dig up molters, 12 hour light cycle, handle at minimum advice.

Also: our two crabbies are Jackson and K-Love. They have both moved out of their toxic painted shells into some roomy and luxurious natural shells. Jackson has changed his shell a number of times and is very much out and about. K-Love has borrowed herself. She was MIA for a week before surfacing to change her shell and has now been borrowed out of sight again for 4 more days. She ate a bunch the first 3 days that we had them so I'm guessing that she's changed shell and borrowed to molt.

[Hermiecrab]

Welcome to the forum! It sounds like your hermits will have an enriched, wonderful life with you! It's always a celebration when a new owner learns how complex these little creatures really are.

We'll always answer questions the best we can, but for now, your tank setup sounds wonderful!

I might look into upgrading in the eventual future, but if they are PPs, they should do fine in a ten gallon for quite a while

[curlysister]

Welcome to crabbing and to the forum!
HCA is more relaxed than some groups - you can do 5 to 1 ratio, but can also use all eco earth or all play sand, or a mix in any ratio. 3 to 5 extra shells is good. Sub should be at least two to three times as deep as your largest crab, which might be more or less than 6 inches. Temp and humidity 75-85 are fine (and there is no such thing as 'too humid'). Some people do handle their crabs regularly.
My biggest advice is not to get sucked into believing you need to spend thousands of dollars on crab supplies. Dollar stores are great for decor. They should have a wide variety of foods (include protein and calcium daily) but most of these can be from your kitchen or grocery stores if you want.

[ROSIEonFIRE]

Hello and welcome to the hobby! Grats on doing your research. I predict you will be upgrading to a bigger tank within 6 months if you are anything like me This is a great community and everyone is super helpful.

[Jlmills525]

when you are interested in upgrading tanks.. you should keep an eye on FB Marketplace and community pages... they often have people cleaning out their garage or basement and getting rid of tanks for cheap!