411 REFERENCE · Wikibooks
Animal Care/Land hermit crab super tank
Reference material by Wikibooks contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
This is an example of a very nice hermit crab habitat for tiny to medium-sized (golfball) hermit crabs.
10-gal glass aquarium (20"L x10"W x12"H - 2400 cubic inches)
background - T-Rex Jungle Wall or pressed cork (not glued cork)
Mount above the substrate and/or soak the bottom in salt water and allow to dry before mounting. Attach with velcro along the top to minimize the chance of crabs crawling behind the background. Watch for mold during use.
All-Glass® Versa-Top lid (hinged)
artifical plants to attach to the bottom of the stationary part of the lid as climbing toys
lighting - 12 hours of daylight, plus nighttime moon glow
ESU 20" Reptile Bi Light 2 fixture -or- Zoo Med 20" Economy Reptile Strip
Day bulb (watch the heat!) - 15W, 25W, 40W, 60W, 100W, 150W
Hagen Exo-a Day-Glo Incandescent Day Bulb or
Zoo Med Daylight Blue Reptile Bulb
Night bulb (watch the heat!) - 15W
Hagen Exo-Terra Night-Glo Incandescent Bulb or
Zoo Med Nightlight Red Reptile Bulb
substrate - makes approx. 1200 cubic inches
forty pounds of masonry sand
64 cubic inches of compressed 100% coconut-fiber
16 oz of oyster shell pieces (calcium)
calci-sand sprinkled on the surface or supplied in a bowl (calcium)
water
Bottled spring water has no chlorine and is usually good for fresh water for hermit crabs.
In drinking water avoid things like gill moisturizers or slime coat.
Remove chlorine from water with a product like
Wardley's ChlorOut or Mardel's MarChlor - two brands of plain sodium thiosulfate
For water with chloramine, use a product that binds ammonia like
Kordon Amquel Water Conditioner (removes chlorine and chloramine; binds ammonia in a non-toxic form; active ingredient is sodium hydroxymethanesulfonate, HOCH2SO3Na; directions )
API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) Ammo-Lock2 (removes chlorine and chloramine; binds ammonia in a non-toxic form)
JurassiPet Hermit Safe Conditioner (removes chlorine, chloramine and ammonia; provides key electrolytes)
Products known to leave ammonia in the water when "removing" chloramine!! Don't use.
Hagen Exo-Terra Calcimize for Reptiles (removes chlorine and chloramine; neutralizes heavy metals; supplies high levels of calcium)
Sea water made with Tropic Marin Pharmaceutical Grade Sea Salt (consider mixing it with distilled water to keep the proper mineral concentrations) [CAUTIONS: Salt does not evaporate. If just replacing evaporated sea water, do so with distilled/fresh water to avoid increasing the salt concentration of the mix. Note that some salt mixes are high in heavy metals. ]
water bowls
large FMR (Florida Marine Research) Hermit Crab Pool (5"L x 4"W) - fresh water and sponges
medium Exo-Terra Granite Rock Water Dish (5"L x 4"W x 1-1/2"H - 3/4"D) - sea water
D.I.Y. glass pool(s)
with rocks for climbing in & out and/or
lined with plastic mesh designed for quick point or latch hook craft projects
temperature and humidity
Oscar Electronic Thermometer & Hygrometer - memory function to record the highest and lowest temperature and humidity levels
if more humidity needed
damp terrarium moss - may also serve as a bathroom or be eaten
Tropic-Aire Humidifier + Air Exchanger - for use with up to a 55-gal tank
Penn-Plax Silent Air X5 adjustable air pump - smooth, ultra-quiet operation
further humidity boost - place humidifier on a coffee mug warmer, but be cautious if the humidifier is plastic
if more heat needed
Zoo Med ReptiTherm undertank heater - easier to install before substrate is added
Zoo Med ReptiTemp 500R Rheostat - 6 ft. remote sensor probe; will control two different devices
insulation for glass sides - foamboard/styrofoam pieces held together with duct tape
power outage - hot water bottles, blankets, insulated "coolers", etc.
climbing assessories
grapevine branches
choya wood
driftwood
fish net
Zoo Med Lizard Ladder
turtle dock
plastic mesh designed for quick point or latch hook craft projects
Attach-A-Wood Mangrove
other tank assessories
clam shell food dish(es)
cuttlebone and/or coral (calcium) - will be nibbled on
Julian Sprung`s SeaVeggies Clip by Two Little Fishies (for seaweed)
hiding huts/caves
artifical plants
spare shells
misc. assessories
exercise ball
cleaning scooper - for poop and food scraps
misting bottle
lighting timers
surge protector electrical strip
aquarium silicone glue - for gluing suction cups and other objects to glass aquariums
aquarium silicone sealant (with no mildew/mold inhibitors - toxic)
HoldFast Epoxy Stick (white) or AquaStik Epoxy Putty (pink or gray)