Hermit crab habitat ?'s?

Question

I have a few questions on what I should do for my re-design of my hermit crab's habitat.

1: For a second level, I am thinking of using supports drilled through the side of the tank for support. What metal would be safe for crabs? Stainless steel maybe?

2: What can I use to keep mold from forming in the tank. When I tried to keep the substrate moist, mold grew on about $30 worth of supplies (Luckily, not the crabs) and I had to toss all of it. What chemical stops mold and is safe for crabs?

3: Is there a way to keep standing water in a crab habitat? I can not come up with anything to solve this problem. Ideas?

Sorry to cram so much in one question, but It's better than spaming the categorey with individual questions. Thanks!

When I say standing water, I mean stand so the crab can submerge itself and easily get out. I already use dishes to attempt to keep humidity in the tank

Answer 1

I would say that stainless steel is fine. That is what the material is in some wire climbing walls made for hermit crabs.

I would buy a large bag of sand and use that in the bottom of the cage. Discard it everytime you clean the cage. They love it because they can bury themselves in it and it also leaves pretty tracks along the bottom of the cage. (When I was younger i was certain that they never moved until I saw the tracks that they made from the night before.) Coconut fiber is also recommended.

Also, if mold grows on your supplies, have you ever considered sterilizing your hermit crab supplies? I did this everytime I would throw away the sand in the cage. Boil water and put your supplies in the water for about 5 minutes. If you have any driftwood or choya wood, put it on a cookie sheet in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (be careful, it can catch on fire). If it is very moldy, I would remove the mold with a wet paper towel. Do not use any cleaners. A saltwater solution can also be used to disinfect sea sponges.

Some places sell little rock-like dishes to place in your cage. Or find a small sturdy ceramic or glass bowl to place in there (sterilize it first!!). Make sure they can get into it and that it isnt too deep. I used to bury mine in the sand up to the edge of the bowl so it was easy for them to walk into it. Also, placing some shells in the water is helpful because they wont drown and they'll get their needed calcium.

Answer 2

Keep calci-sand in the tank. Put a glad ware type container with some sand and water in there too. Rinse the sand/water at least once a week. That is the area where the crabs will be pooping. If you use that type of container, you will not have to mist the cage and therefore no mold.
Buy some plastic mesh from a craft store or Wal-Mart. It is washable and totally safe. It is hard plastic used to make tissue boxes and items like that.
Completely clean out the tank with some white vinegar before putting in the new supplies, then rinse and dry thoroughly.

Answer 3

1. I don't recommend any sort of metal, because the rust can kill the crabs. Try pvc pipes build a frame then put plexiglass on top.
2. if you use salt water to soak your wood, playsand, ecoearth, or forest bedding with it cuts down on mold. (I use double strength salt water when I soak my eco earth.)

3. I personally use those disposable bowls by glad for my water bowls. I have a square one that I put some smooth pepples in so they can get up out of the water if they want to, I also have a bridge into that one, and it's also my bubble pool. Then I have a smaller round one that I put smooth pebbles in. The square 1 holds my dechlored fresh water, and the round 1 holds my dechlored marine salt water.

Hope that helps some.

Answer 4

Use an aquarium, glass or plastic. Give them things to climb on. No metal they are allergic to it. Use sand on the bottom, not cat litter (need moisture). Make sure they have water or they will die. Keep the tank warm (about 80F). Give them lots of shells to choose from for their new home. Have more than one (they like company).

Answer 5

1.Stainless steel is fine
2.Use sand and replace it every so often.
3. use an NEW ashtray. a smooth one and it has to be somewhat big. it cant be too high, low enough for them to hop into