Setup Tips

Substrate

Different species of crabs require different substrate composition. One thing all crabs need though? Deep substrate.

Australian Hermit crabs require an 8:1 ratio for their substrate. This translates to 1 bag of playsand to 1/3 of a brick of hydrated coir peat per 10 gallons of space.

For example, a 30 gallon tank needs at least 3 bags of playsand and 1 brick of hydrated coir peat.
 

I used the following for my substrate:
 

•RichGro Playsand 
•Brunnings Coir Peat
•Leaf Litter (maple & oak are my go-to)
•Worm Castings
•Eggshells
•Brunnings Sphagnum Moss
+ a sprinkle of Timothy Hay.

Remember:

-Always thoroughly mix your sub. Don't leave unmixed layers or visible division between materials.

-If you need to add more substrate but have crabs down, you can sprinkle 1/2" of mixed sub on top every 2-3 days. Do not pat or level the sub.

-If it's not sandcastle consistency, it's not ready.

-Your sub will settle over time. Make sure you've filled your tank enough to allow for this. You don't want it to settle below 6".
-Make sure you dechlorinate any water used while mixing your substrate with Seachem Prime.

Mixing Quantities:

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29-35 gallon tanks - 3 bags of sand (60kg) : 1 brick of coir peat : (9) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

40-45 gallon tanks - 4 bags of sand (80kg) : 1 1/3 bricks of coir peat : (12) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

50-55 gallon tanks - 5 bags of sand (100kg) : 1 2/3 bricks of coir peat : (15) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

60-65 gallon tanks - 6 bags of sand (120kg) : 2 bricks of coir peat : (18) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

75 gallon tanks - 7 bags of sand (140kg) : 2 1/3 bricks of coir peat : (21) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

75-90 gallon tanks - 8 bags of sand (160kg) : 2 2/3 bricks of coir peat : (24) 500mlcups of each amendment.

 

90 gallon tanks - 9 bags of sand (180kg) : 3 bricks of coir peat : (27) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

90-110 gallon tanks - 10 bags of sand (200kg) : 3 1/3 bricks of coir peat : (30) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

110 gallon tanks - 11 bags of sand (220kg) : 3 2/3 bricks of coir peat : (33) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

125 gallon tanks - 12 bags of sand (240kg) : 4 bricks of coir peat : (36) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

125-150 gallon tanks - 13 bags of sand (260kg) : 4 1/3 bricks of coir peat : (39) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

125-150 gallon tanks - 14 bags of sand (280kg) : 4 2/3 bricks of coir peat : (42) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

150 gallon tanks - 15 bags of sand (300kg) : 5 bricks of coir peat : (45) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

150 gallon tanks - 16 bags of sand (320kg) : 5 1/3 bricks of coir peat : (48) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

150-180 gallon tanks - 17 bags of sand (340kg) : 5 2/3 bricks of coir peat : (51) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

180 gallon tanks - 18 bags of sand (360kg) : 6 bricks of coir peat : (54) 500ml cups of each amendment.

 

Tank Size

Space is really important for hermit crabs.

They are social creatures but must always be afforded enough space to dig and moult without being on top of each other all the time.

The minimum tank size recommended is 114L (29 gallons) for 2-3 same species crabs. The new recommendation for hermit crab tank capacity is very well explained in Hermit Crab Owners on Facebook. The new recommendation replaces the old 10g per crab and focuses more on tank footprint allowing for more space for our hermit crabs,

 

Heat & Humidity

These amazing creatures breathe through modified gills. They also detect food with olfactory senses requiring high humidity to function correctly.

The heat should be maintained between 26-32 degrees Celcius. Our hermit crabs are taken from beautiful warm beaches and they cannot retain heat themselves. If the tank temperature drops, the crabs will dig down to try and regulate their temperature.

If the temperature continues to be low for extended periods the crabs' metabolism will begin to slow down. This can be observed through lethargy. Eventually the crab will be unable to recover and it will expire.

The optimal humidity is anything above 80%.

But Holy Crab! How do we achieve this?

Deep substrate (scroll back up), and a heat source. I use heat cords on my tanks, but heat mats work the same way. Make sure that your heat mat covers the entire top half of the back of your tank.

I recommend insulating your tank too with a car sun visor or cardboard wrapped in foil. It'll help direct the heat into the tank.

Notes:
-Avoid using a heat lamp. They zap the humidity and will burn your crabs.
-Don't put the UTH or heat source under the tank. You want to heat the air, not the substrate.

 

Diet

Imagine your crabs as little paleo foodies.

No preservatives.
No processed foods.
No additives.
No dairy.

Your little foodies deserve the best so it is important to be proactive in the way you feed your crabs. Keeping in mind, food that may be safe for some animals, or even people, may not be safe for these guys.

I cannot possibly begin to tell you all of the safe foods you can feed your hermit crabs... The team over at HCO have done that already; head on over to Facebook and join Hermit Crab Owners for more info.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/itsacrabthing/