HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So, I want to add a hamster wheel to the 55. I see that y'all add craft mesh to the inside.... the one im ordering has ridges on the inside, would I still need the mesh? Also, how do y'all install... do you just set it in or mount it on the side of the tank??
Thanks!
Also, I'm attaching a pic so y'all can see what I'm thinking of ordering.


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You’ll want the mesh, the crabs can’t walk properly without the traction from it. I drilled holes on the sides and ziptied the mesh into the circle. You will want to hang it from the tank by using command hooks or any other type of hook.


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Is this size good?

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ciaraalston wrote:Is this size good?

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I don’t see why not, how big are your crabs?
I have the six inch wheel.


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Well, the two I have were about an inch and an inch and 1/8 before they went down.

[Rajah was bigger and he's been down since June 3rd. Sebastian was only an inch and he's been down about a week and a half. I think I've got some molters!!!]

I'm not sure how big the ones I'll add will be. I'm going to try to adopt but I don't see many people from Louisiana so I might have to buy

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ciaraalston wrote:Well, the two I have were about an inch and an inch and 1/8 before they went down.

[Rajah was bigger and he's been down since June 3rd. Sebastian was only an inch and he's been down about a week and a half. I think I've got some molters!!!]

I'm not sure how big the ones I'll add will be. I'm going to try to adopt but I don't see many people from Louisiana so I might have to buy

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That should work!


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Awesome!! Thanks

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The other reason for adding mesh, so it goes beyond the edge of the wheel is because crabs walk with their legs stretched out. Especially yours seem to be large. And hang it upside down. I put something near mine, not touching, so they can climb up into it. With enough room from the ground because they will spin while on the outside and this way they don't bang into anything.

Hermiesguardian wrote:The other reason for adding mesh, so it goes beyond the edge of the wheel is because crabs walk with their legs stretched out. Especially yours seem to be large. And hang it upside down. I put something near mine, not touching, so they can climb up into it. With enough room from the ground because they will spin while on the outside and this way they don't bang into anything.

Oh okay, I see what you mean. Thanks!!

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Mine is standing on the substrate with no mesh and they do just fine in it.

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ciaraalston wrote:

Hermiesguardian wrote:The other reason for adding mesh, so it goes beyond the edge of the wheel is because crabs walk with their legs stretched out. Especially yours seem to be large. And hang it upside down. I put something near mine, not touching, so they can climb up into it. With enough room from the ground because they will spin while on the outside and this way they don't bang into anything.

Oh okay, I see what you mean. Thanks!!

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Check this out.
https://youtu.be/z9DrVP1bMeQ

Hermiesguardian wrote:

ciaraalston wrote:

Hermiesguardian wrote:The other reason for adding mesh, so it goes beyond the edge of the wheel is because crabs walk with their legs stretched out. Especially yours seem to be large. And hang it upside down. I put something near mine, not touching, so they can climb up into it. With enough room from the ground because they will spin while on the outside and this way they don't bang into anything.

Oh okay, I see what you mean. Thanks!!

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Check this out.
https://youtu.be/z9DrVP1bMeQ

Omg that is too cute!!
So, would a command hook hang it, or do you use something else?

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I use command hooks to hang mine.

Edit: I also recommend Medium wheels. I think a small would be too tiny.

GotButterflies wrote:I use command hooks to hang mine.

Edit: I also recommend Medium wheels. I think a small would be too tiny.

Perfect. Thank you!

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Hope I'm not too late but the wheel you were looking at is pretty much the same one I use in my tank. I hung it from the top of my tank with command hooks and it has worked perfectly with no modifications.

The ridges actually provide enough traction that none of my crabs had any problems cranking that thing like they were on a treadmill.

The quality isn't the greatest but here's a silly video of two my crabs fighting over the hamster wheel. It's not how they normally use it but this video will give you an idea of how the unmodded wheel would act.
https://youtu.be/rfSkiqOlpX0

Edit: Crank the playback speed up all the way for a better experience