Setting up a proper place for your hermit crabs is vital to their health. It'll take a little bit of work, but in the end you'll have healthy, happy hermits!
Step 1
Clean your aquarium with a gentle bio-degradable cleaner, such as a vinegar and water mixture.
Step 2
Once the aquarium is dry, add your substrate (sand or coconut fiber). If you have a under-tank-heater, remember to attach it before the next step.
Step 3
Place your sanitized shells and other tank decorations in the tank.
Step 4
Mix ocean water mix (what's used for salt water aquariums) and dechlorinated water for one water bowl and put fresh dechlorinated water in the other bowl. Add the food dish (with food in it, of course).
Step 5
Place the thermometer and hydrometer on the substrate or on the wall of the aquarium close to the substrate where your hermit crabs will be living.
Step 6
Put the lid on the aquarium and turn on your heat light (if applicable.)
Step 7
When the temperature and the humidity are acceptable in the tank, put your hermit crabs into their new home.
Step 8
Enjoy watching your hermit crabs explore!
Tips
- You can find coconut fiber in pet stores in the reptile care section.
- For sand you can use play sand from a hardware store. Make sure that it is play sand and not sand for construction and such.
- The temperature in the crabitat should be between 70-80 degrees F.
- The humidity should be around 75-85% relative humidity.
- Stable temperature and humidity is extremely important, please have these levels stable before bringing hermit crabs home.
- Always make sure to have at least three extra shells for each crab, one around the same size as their current shell, one a little larger, and one a little smaller.
- A solid top, like glass or plastic, is best to retain heat and humidity.
Warnings
- When cleaning your aquarium, remember that harsh chemicals like bleach and some soaps can make your hermit crabs ill.
- Never use tap water for preparing your substrate, or drinking/bathing water. Treat it with a dechlorination solution or use bottled spring water or distilled water.
- Don't make the crabitat too hot, if you do your hermit crabs can die, and you will know if they die from overheation by a strong smell and a brown liquid under your dead crabbie.
- Don't over mist your crabitat or it can grow mold which is harmful to the little hermies.
- Some heat lamps may have a too strong of a light for your crab
Things You'll Need
- Aquarium
- Thermometer
- Hydrometer
- Substrate (coconut fiber, sand or other)
- Food dish
- Two water dishes
- Fake plants, hermie hut, ceramic pots, drift wood, and other items to decorate your crabitat with
- Heat Source
- Toys for your hermit crab to play with
