How to Clean Your Tank | Hermit Crab Care | By Crab Central Station

[@CrabCentralStation]

Thank you guys so much for joining our channel! In this video we will discuss how to clean your hermit crab tank! Come along with us as we clean our 700 gallon tank set up! We will show you our step-by-step process of how we clean up our hermit crab tank! Happy Crabbing! -The CCS Crew

[@kellystephensonpeterman2649]

What is the biggest crab you have

[@CrabCentralStation]

@@Chiaras419 We have a brevimanus that is the size of a baseball.

[@justjbsanimals6469]

hi i was wondering if i can use beach sand and bake it to get ride of germs and use that mix with eacho earth

[@alexanderdemcenko4914]

Hi there! I am so fascinated by your setup and believe it is absolutely fantastic! I was just wondering how you feel about bioactive setups because I haven't heard you speak about it but I believe would be absolutely beneficial for a massive tank like that and help keep it clean so much more!

[@emmalewis6663]

pov ur me right now: *eating chick-fil-a on a 16 hour road trip watching my favorite youtubers missing my hermit crabs*

[@CrabCentralStation]

LOL! I LOVE this comment! Have fun! Stay safe!

[@littlemidwestrebornsdolls]

This came out at the perfect time for me! I was wondering when, how, and what to do to clean and maintain the hermit crab tank. I still don't have any crabbies, because I wanted to see the work involved in tank maintenance. Now, I really want to start thinking about how many hermit crabs I want and where I could set up. I will look to adopt not buy.

[@CrabCentralStation]

Yes!!!! That sounds amazing, Gina! Thank you for researching ahead of time, supporting our channel, and adopting instead of shopping!

[@janepaik1327]

Your tanks are absolutely an inspiration! They look so miniature and cozy such as the baby tank! Your water tanks are beautiful too. They look like hermit crab houses! ❤

[@lindylou3519]

A lot of work but a good feeling when it’s all sparkling clean!

[@CrabCentralStation]

True! It took us nothing short of six hours but we truly did enjoy every second of it! We ❤️ our crabs and truly enjoy all of the work it takes to keep up with them and their home!

[@user-bz8yg6pl6n]

YAYY YOU POSTED!! it’s funny because when you posted the travel video, right when i got back from “vacation” my crabby was down in molt and still is lol i hope...

[@itskittybee8752]

Same we were gone about a week so we hired a sitter.

[@vegetamegadisk]

I literally dream of having a setup like this for my crabs.

[@CrabCentralStation]

I did too!!! Don't stop dreaming.... it can come true! Thank you 😊

[@zorainanunn2854]

You are amazing, new subscriber. Your love for hermit crabs shines, brite!! ❤ 😊 So much important information. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@doctordeath.5716]

You all are very helpful to me with all the hermit questions I have and you all rock.

[@CrabCentralStation]

Thank you!

[@doctordeath.5716]

@@CrabCentralStation you are welcome

[@jmembang2467]

I am astonished of how much of a busy woman you are haha

[@CrabCentralStation]

That's for sure! I feel it most days 😆 I like to be busy though!

[@rider4004]

I was so worried I would have to change my substrate thank you so much for this it really helped

[@CrabCentralStation]

You’re welcome! Glad it helped!

[@hermitcrabsanolesterrarium5433]

Thank you for helping me with caring for my crabs it has inspired me to make my own channel

[@CrabCentralStation]

That's so cool!

[@itskittybee8752]

That intro is my tank in a nut shell right now

[@CrabCentralStation]

You got this It's KittyBee! If I can do it... you can too! We are cheering for you ❤

[@lornah2381]

I have been waiting to see how y'all do this. Thank you for posting this ☺️

[@CrabCentralStation]

You're welcome! We're glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching!

[@amarisdeorocki9585]

i love this channel and the way they care for there crabs! keep up the amazing work!

[@CrabCentralStation]

Thank you so much! We appreciate your support!

[@danielleb.7055]

Hey I have a suggestion in regards to filling up your tanks after a water change. You can connect a hose to your kitchen sink and just run it to the crab room. Hope that helps and will take a lot less time. Have a great day

[@CrabCentralStation]

This is a great idea! Our kitchen is unfortunately quite far from our crab room but for someone with a shorter distance this is a great idea!

[@starrylight1524]

I just got my first 3 hermit crabs! I have them in their smaller tank for the PPS 30 day period. I am following all of your guidelines for healthy happy crabs but my concern for when I put them in their 40 gallon tank is...mites! I know I can't control every thing around this issue but I want to minimize as much potential for getting mites if possible. So my idea is to dehydrate the majority of the food I give them (fruits, veggies, meats, grains). My thoughts are that dehydrated foods are dry and they don't smell strong like fresh food would smell. Am I on the right track with this thinking in preventing food mites? Any other suggestions for prevention of food mites or any other mites? I will try to keep humidity managed in the tank as well. Have you experienced mites before in your tanks? Thank you! We love our crabs and can't wait to get them in their big tank!

[@CrabCentralStation]

Hello there! Congrats on your new crabbies! That is awesome! It sounds like you are on the right path to happy and healthy hermits! As far as mites go, we have had them several times :( We have noticed, that when we use predominantly dry foods and foraging, mites are far less easily introduced to the tank environment. Crabbies do LOVE fresh food though, so when we offer them fresh foods we wash them well in prime treated water and then we only leave it in over night taking it out early in the morning to prevent the mites from populating. If you do happen to get mites, do an initial surface clean like we did in this video (do not remove substrate for food mites as they are not harmful to hermit carbs!) After you clean surface items in prime treated water (which you should only do once, soon after you notice the mites), clean the glass thoroughly. Often the mites live on the walls of the tanks, and wiping them off daily with with water and a paper towel dramatically decreases their population. Wipe the walls of your tanks and replace your food dishes daily until you notice the mites have diminished. Happy Crabbing! We hope with helps :) The CCS Crew!

[@Clover_knows_pets]

Your definitely on the right track!

[@altheamcnabb2829]

Thanks for showing us and its a great reminder of what to do and not to do. Would love to have a cam on the little ones and show them over night .

[@CrabCentralStation]

You’re welcome! It is such a passion for us. We are so thankful for your support. We are working on getting a camera set up so we can do that for you guys 😊

[@kristenwilson2344]

Thanks for the video! Greatly appreciated!

[@CrabCentralStation]

Thank you for watching!

[@pattiespetitetanks6181]

Very informative, as usual. Thank you.

[@CrabCentralStation]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for your support!

[@cldrown]

Hello, I wanted to thank you for all your helpful videos! I must have watched them all at least three times now. I am preparing to adopt some hermit crabs through lhcos, and am getting everything ready to set my tank up. I did have a question, when you clean the glass with the water, do you put some prime drops in that or does it not mater if you treat the water you are cleaning the glass with? May be a silly question, but I'd rather make sure so I don't make the hermit crabs sick! Thank you so much!

[@maxnotrusso]

The baby shells are too cute.🥺 not me dumping down salt water and sand in my bathroom sink every time I clean the tank oops now I know to dump it outside

[@CrabCentralStation]

I did that in the beginning too....oops!

[@gayleentarpley6283]

I love this channel. Y'all rock ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@CrabCentralStation]

Thank you so much! Mother/Daughter working together to educate and advocate!

[@JuggiBeanx]

I know, you answered my question about this before, when I was wondering how you sanitize the coconut huts and what-not. But, I was wondering, if you haven't already, would you please do a video, showing EXACTLY how you "bake" them to sanitize? I am too scared to buy the hut until I know precisely what I am doing.

[@CrabCentralStation]

We can work on that for you! We might make an instagram short about it!

[@JuggiBeanx]

Thank you, that would be awesome!

[@Nick-xm4vw]

I used normal tap water in my substrate do you think they will be ok? I dechlorinated their drinking water but not the soil. Do you think they will be ok or should i redo the tank

[@elizabethcoleman9672]

Thanks so much for the video! Super helpful! A few questions... - I used critter carriers as pools. They're dug into the sand and supported by a shelf. How do I keep the sand from falling between the tank glass & pool since it's not 100% flush and square like yours? - can large/heavy logs be removed for cleaning if they're not dug into the sub, or is it best to just leave the really heavy items so they don't collapse molt tunnels? Thanks!

[@CrabCentralStation]

Good questions! Unfortunately there is no perfect way to keep sand from falling in between the pool and glass. As for heavy logs, I would leave them when possible.

[@rottingfungus]

You guys have inspired me so much! I have 4 hermit crabs in a 20 gallon long tank rn, but I feel that they don’t have enough room. I want to do 3 40 gallon tanks together (two on the bottom and one on the top connecting them) However, I am a little intimidated about the cleaning (because I usually take all of the substrate out and replace it) but I know in the video you said it was bio active. Are you 100% sure the 5 to 1 ratio takes care of all the waste?

[@CrabCentralStation]

Hi! Yay, we're so glad you are here at CCS with us! It sounds like you have a fun project on your hands! Be careful with turning tanks upside down as toppers. Our experience in doing that lead to a flood in 6 months. There is no good way to maintain the area under the topper and it creates a rainforest effect with the high humidity. The 5:1 ratio is a wonderful combination for your substrate! If maintenance is done regularly (food taken out, foraging items replaced often) and the heat and humidity is within the recommendations consistently, your substrate should last many years without needing to be replaced.

[@rottingfungus]

@@CrabCentralStation TY!!! Do you have any recommendations besides a tank as a topper? or any way to avoid the flooding?

[@CrabCentralStation]

@@rottingfungus we use exoterra Terrariums as toppers. They seem to work the best!

[@rottingfungus]

@@CrabCentralStation Great! ty! and this was just an idea (cuttings costs wise) but i just thought, would a plastic storage bin work as a topper? I was thinking that if you cut a hole in the top and replaced it with a screen, would that reduce humidity? Or would the plastic cause mold anyway?

[@Clover_knows_pets]

@@rottingfungus I find the tropical springtails are REALLY good at cleaning up mold

[@williambunting803]

Thinking about how I might build a crabitat, testing my thinking about the reality I am seeing here. First thought was to build a sculptured ferro cement tank base. Still thinking if that is worthwhile. Sand depth is more important, is more important. One thing I think would be better is to use frameless glass for the tank front panels, and this can be shaped ie not as high at the front to make visual access better. Of course this depends on how high the crabs can climb on glass. Another possibility is to build the tank with tight radius bent glass so the back bottom and front are all one piece with the front being profiled for better access. Then it needs 2 end panels which would have holes cut in for water treatment hoses. Maybe. There is so much to know here before even starting. The tunnel digging is really interesting. Do you ever have to fish out the malt shells?

[@cooperhaag9881]

I love hermit crabs 👍

[@CrabCentralStation]

Yay! Us too!

[@susanbecker5610]

Thank you for this. I have a question though. You mentioned adding leaf litter and that they especially like that in fall and winter. My assumption, because they are a tropical species and their tanks are kept, as much as possible, at the same humidity and temp, that a seasonal cycle wouldn't exactly apply. Idk. I live in Florida where 99% of the year is summer. We're very thankful for those 5 days of slightly less summer in winter. Lol. My question is, do you change anything with the seasons and if not, how do you think they would know what season it is? Just curious about your thoughts on this. 😊

[@CrabCentralStation]

Great question! I think it has to do with moon phases and barometric pressure. I don't even have a window in my crab room. However, they mate and spawn according to moon phases and their behavior definitely changes during the different seasons. My tank temperature and humidity stays at tropical levels all year.... somehow they know! They are amazing creatures!

[@susanbecker5610]

@@CrabCentralStation wow. That's honestly fascinating.

[@FonsoDalchemist]

I love your tanks 😭❤️

[@CrabCentralStation]

Thank you so much!

[@christinaaa_xo]

Okay, so I am still currently in the PPS period, but I am wondering how to clean my tank when I first get it if it's really dirty? I thankfully had a friend who happened to have a 55 gallon tank they were no longer using, but I'm unsure of what products I can use to clean it since it's so dirty. It really needs a thorough cleaning. Thank you for your great videos!!! It's so helpful to me on this journey to giving these crabs a happy, healthy and long life!

[@CrabCentralStation]

I am so sorry that I missed you message! I hope you are well on your way by now. I'm glad that our channel has been helpful to you. Please reach out if you need something else.

[@vegetamegadisk]

Amazing tanks they are beyond happy 👍

[@CrabCentralStation]

They seem to be really enjoying it. I love sitting in the room watching them. It's so peaceful.

[@vegetamegadisk]

@@CrabCentralStation I bet, I love watching mine as well. 😊

[@rickcroney1286]

Big job but definitely important. Well done

[@CrabCentralStation]

It is a lot of work, but it's well worth it!

[@FastLif3]

Im one year in and these videos have been so helpful thank you SO much for making these. I have a question though, what do I do if I have a mite infestation and how do I prevent it from happening?

[@CrabCentralStation]

I’m so glad our videos are helping you on your journey! Just yesterday we recorded a video on what to do if you have mites! It should be out soon! Just to ease your mind, mites are not dangerous for your crabs.

[@FastLif3]

@@CrabCentralStation WOW! Okay then I am asking this question right on time! I will be patiently (desperately) waiting to it. And what a relief 😩 I was so worried. The good news is I’m planning on upgrading their tank and going bigger. We plan on adopting a 3rd crab, so I will eventually have to move them into a new space anyway. Additional question, the tanks and sand can be very heavy. What do you put your tanks on? Did you build something specifically to hold the tanks or just purchase standard tables?

[@CrabCentralStation]

We built our tank stands. Our house sits on a concrete foundation. We also anchored the tank bases to the studs in the walls. They do get very heavy, you want to make sure the base is secure!

[@happyshamrock73]

I continue to rewatch this video before a big clean...I am now up to a 150g with two 100g toppers!

[@Exdentified_Mapping]

Wow that’s amazing i bet you have such happy crabs!

[@kristicollett7887]

Ok ladies, I have no idea how I found your channel... but now I think I need to do LOTS of research... I MIGGT need some hermmies in my life.

[@CrabCentralStation]

We are glad you found us! Hermit crabs are definitely very interesting, we love them!

[@ritacolunga137]

Sorry if this question is long over due but if you dont mind me wondering, why should you not ever take out all the substrate for cleaning? Is there a reason to not ever do that?

[@shinnick13]

Great video! Since you mentioned bioactive, have you ever considered adding springtails to your tanks?

[@CrabCentralStation]

Yes ma'am, we have springtails right now. So far.... they're good.

[@wendymartin6256]

May I ask what are springtails.I have 2 hermit crabs since May 2021. I am learning a lot from your channel .

[@shinnick13]

@@wendymartin6256 springtails are a form of microfauna (tiny bugs) that are often used in bioactive enclosures for reptiles and amphibians to clean up waste and mold. I thought they might also be beneficial for hermit crab enclosures and small enough where they would not be eaten and not cause any issues for the crabs.

[@CrabCentralStation]

Welcome to CCS! We are so glad you have joined us on your hermie journey! Harmony Belles gave a great answer to your question 😊

[@langenandanimals]

I just love your tanks though!!!

[@CrabCentralStation]

Thank you so much!!!!

[@amandacudworth]

Sorry....thought of one more question as I went further in the vid 🤔 When you cleaned in the sink you sprayed some things off. Is chlorinated water not a danger? That part was sped up, so not sure I was seeing everything.

[@CrabCentralStation]

Correct, chlorine is not good for our hermit crabs. I usually spray the big things off in the sink and then dunk it in a bucket of prime water, then dry on the counter. However, if you are allowing the items to completely dry (or you hand dry it) the sink tap water shouldn't be a problem. It's only an issue if the items will be placed back in the tank wet, where the crabs can drink from the dripping/pooling water (which I strongly suggest not doing because you don't want all that water soaking into your substrate).

[@amysteed8500]

Me and my cousin have a hermit crab and we want to learn a lot about them because we do not want them to die

[@alanadanois6133]

Thank you for this, ladies!! Where did you find that half coconut shell you use to hold their tank staples? Those are really cool :)

[@CrabCentralStation]

You are so welcome! Thank you for watching and supporting our channel and family 😊 We found those bowls at a local pet shop. I will see if I can find them online. If I do... I'll come back here and post a link for you!

[@alanadanois6133]

@@CrabCentralStation I appreciate that very much! Thank you for your time! ❤️

[@CrabCentralStation]

I found some that look similar! Yay! petshopia.net/product/sungrow-reptile-food-bowl-4-5x5-5-inches-unbreakable-half-coconut-shell-with-husk-tank-dcor-and-humidifier-for-bearded-dragons-tortoise-snakes-bullfrogs/?gclid=CjwKCAjw8cCGBhB6EiwAgOReywqmT8C9D_7II_voqpdCjxNyGH_rXC6JiEuVTt1RETtSS7MTWc3gZxoCoXYQAvD_BwE

[@faithrosemadsen]

Yay! New vid is out!

[@CrabCentralStation]

Woot woot!

[@tripleRranch1]

How do you make these amazing tanks. What are the tanks on top of the big tanks?

[@carmeladreiling971]

Yes!! LOVE THESE VIDS !!!!!!!!! (:

[@CrabCentralStation]

Woohoo! Thank you so much for your support!

[@jennarose8505]

can you do a video on everything you put into their food dishes please ? that would be very helpful 😊

[@CrabCentralStation]

Hi Jenna we usually do feedings during our lives or Q&A chats. We can put this video idea on our agenda though! Thanks for the suggestion.

[@amandaleggett]

watching this a few days after i cleaned my tank, with a crab down (not sure if he’s molting) and i pulled up (but didn’t replace) two items that were dug into the substrate 🤦🏼‍♀️ i hope i didn’t collapse anything down there 😕

[@CrabCentralStation]

We are all learning more and more every day. This is a journey, glad to have you here with us at Crab Central Station!

[@SquidStamp]

Do you need to boil the shells if they're from a beach? I'm gonna be getting hermit crabs eventually, but not yet(Don't have everything yet)

[@lahayaya]

Do you have a video outlining what to do in case of a flood? I think one of my filters was splashing water out, bc twice in a row my fresh water tank drained to 25% within two days (whereas my salt water tank didn’t). When I felt the sand below the water table, it was definitely wetter than the sand not near the water tanks, but not crazy high in amount of moisture. There was a crab that looked like he came up mid-molt from under the water table (put him in a pint plastic container with holes in the tank with small amount of substrate, his claws, calcium, castings, high protein food, and water). So I’m pretty sure it’s too wet under there for them to dig. 😬 One crab is still down somewhere. Idk what to do.

[@haleymak.7608]

Hi there! Last night I had a bit of a hermit crab crisis and I am looking for some advice. I was just recently gone for vacation for a week and I left my hermits with my bestie who isn’t very experienced with them so I just told her to keep an eye on them. I had given them dry food and clean water just before I left. A couple days after I got back I discovered that I had a food mite infestation in the tank. Today I cleaned out the entire tank and soaked everything with warm water and sea chem prime. While I was cleaning the tank I unfortunately had to dig up one of my crabs that was molting. He is in a shell right now but is very white and I was wondering if there is anything specific I should do to keep him safe. I was also told to soak my crabs to get any mites off of them but now I’m unsure if that’s a good idea for the guy that has just molted. Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated!!

[@katiemcelreath5980]

Where did y’all get the coconut dish you use for the worm castings and green sand?

[@shermzc3318]

What to do when you discover that the tank is flooded with water? I’ve placed the hermit crab into a new 24 x 18x 12 exo terra tank, but I’d like to try to save some of the substrate and sand from the old 10 gal tank, sands was about 3 inches on the tank that flooded with 1 inch of water. I think it’s from humidifier that was set too high.

[@CrabCentralStation]

Good job moving the crab to a safe tank! You can bake the old substrate in your oven to dry it out and reuse it. It may take awhile, but it will save you money. You can also spread it out on a table (put some kind of tarp under it so you don't damage the wood. I would highly suggest not using a humidifier at all. You will continue to run into floods using a humidifier. All you need is the correct heat mat on the back of your tank, the right substrate (5:1 ration and depth), two water pools, and a sealed tank. Those elements will create the perfect heat/humidity with no need for a humidifier or spraying the sub.

[@sarahhase61822]

I have ants and food mites in my 75 gallon tank with my 5 hermits, 3 of which are molting! What would you recommend for me to do? Thanks so much!

[@CrabCentralStation]

Ahhhh! DM us on insta and we can help you out!

[@MA-yg7ft]

Just a quick clarification: you do not need to pick up there leaving(droppings) or clean up what ever you can get? Also keep the old substrate by adding new on top when needed?

[@CrabCentralStation]

Correct, you do not have to collect their droppings. However, you can if you would like. Just use a slotted spoon or something for the surface, don't dig down and don't remove items that are su k into the substrate. You should never have to replace your substrate unless you have: fungus, bacterial bloom, flooding, or bugs that are harmful to the crabs (springtails, isopods, and grain mites are not harmful). If you need to deepen your sub over time, you can safely add 1" of substrate every couple of days. Just make sure you sprinkle it evenly accross the surface rather than dumping it in one spot and then moving it around with your hands. You want the weight of the new sand to be evenly distributed so as not to disturb molt caves.

[@jenniferhopkins6421]

Do you have to scoop the tank everyday? We just got 2 and is didnt realize it was this much work so I’m definitely trying. I don’t see crab poop so I don’t know how it can be scooped everyday without seeing anything

[@CrabCentralStation]

Welcome to CCS! You do not have to scoop the sand often at all. Your substrate will become bioactive and the crabs eat most of the poop. You want to scoop/take out fresh foods every 24 hours and dried foods every 3 days. Foraging items like leaves, bark, worm castings, can stay for weeks.

[@lilymchale246]

hi! I love your videos and find them so helpful, i was wondering where you buy your leaf litter from or what brand it is.

[@CrabCentralStation]

Thank you so much Lily! We buy our moss from a wonderful hermit crab owner that has an Etsy shop called, Because of Crabs.

[@kathleendemoya6089]

Is it necessary to replace items back where they were taken from?

[@CrabCentralStation]

Not at all. Mix it up and give them a new environment to explore!

[@glitchbuggie]

hi your content is awesome but i have a question, i just got some hermit crabs yesterday and had listened to everything the pet store told me. I want to add some more substrate so it’s six inches deep and not 2 like i have it right now. Should i wait a bit before i do that because i don’t want to cause any stress to them? i don’t know how i would pour the substrate in evenly without moving them. what should i do?

[@CrabCentralStation]

Welcome to CCS! Check out our video on PPS (post purchase stress). We walk you through the best process and how to help your new pets acclimate slowly to correct conditions.

[@bipolarbusiness6989]

My sand has these little bugs that look almost clear and almost unnoticeable until I put the sand up close and I notice them kind of moving about. My crabs are absolutely thriving and beautiful…but just noticing these little micro bugs has me in an absolute panic that I need to change everything, and one of their buddies is molting. :( what do you suggest? Is this going to hurt them? How do I know if it’s going to hurt them? Thanks ❤

[@katiemcelreath5980]

They are likely just mites. The majority of mites are harmless but some can cause a problem for the crabies. Do your research;)

[@Rianaa.b]

Well fun fact I just learned I dont need to keep buying substrate all the time 😭 this is an amazing tank holy crap

[@CrabCentralStation]

Yay!!! So glad we could save you time, money, and a backache!

[@tripleRranch1]

How do you clean the sand where they molted? Or does it need to be cleaned?

[@elliea6051]

Sorry if you explained any of this in the video (I didn’t watch the whole thing). Why are the pools so deep? Do the crabs swim all the way down there? I have had my crabs for 25+ years and I’ve never had water that deep in their tanks. I didn’t think they could swim? And is that salt or fresh water that’s in there? Do they have separate drinking water bowls? Thank you! :)

[@CrabCentralStation]

Hi 👋 these are 10g water pools. I have 2 fresh water pools and one salt water pool. The crabs need to fully submerge so that they can fill up their shells with water. They have modified gills and need shell water to help them breathe properly. The pools don’t have to be this deep, just deep enough for your largest crab to fully submerge. My crabs do “swim” all the way to the bottom. When the moms spawn their babies they spend a good amount of time u set water. Just make sure you provide an easy way in and out of the pools. If they can’t get out easily, they can drown.

[@chellensophie1799]

Hi! Great video! What is your advice for those of us that have pods and tails in our tank? I am always scared when I take out the leaf litter and moss they will hitch a ride and I will lose some. Especially the tails, since they are so tiny and you can barely see them. TY!

[@CrabCentralStation]

Hi! That is a GREAT question! I hope to add both tails and pods to our tank at some point! I would suggest gathering the foraged items off the surface like I did in this video and place it in a separate bin that you keep in the tank (kind of like a "compost" bin). This way it is still available to your tank clean-up crew, and the crabs actually, but you are still able to tidy up the tank and add fresh foraging items. I hope that was helpful?

[@jackplaysfnaf5222]

I saw a roach in my tank (probably a American roach by color) but I heard you have to deep clean the tank but one of my crabs is having their first molt

[@CrabCentralStation]

Oh no! I would check your tank for any signs of other bugs! An infestation calls for a tank redo.

[@TheBriteSide1979]

I am new to hermit crabs and really had no idea how much they require for a healthy life. Unfortunately I put mostly echo earth on one side of the tank and sand on the other after seeing another misinformational video. So now one of my crabs has been under there for days and I'd like to take everything out and start over with the proper mix of sand and earth but I don't want to disturb that crab. I feel I need to do it asap cause I'm definitely getting mold in the tank. Any help with this issue would be appreciated!! Ty!

[@madelineyoung9280]

Is there a way to modify or upgrade your crab’s tank without stressing them out? For example: if I had a temporary water dish and I wanted to add a permanent one like yours later on.

[@CrabCentralStation]

Sure! First make sure all of your crabs are above ground, you don't want to dig them up. Then put together a small temporary tote (storage container works great). Put a small amount of substrate on the tote, a hiding place, maybe a plant, moist moss for humidity, and some food. Place your crabs in the temp tote in a warm area or place a blanket over the tote to keep them warm while you work. Then begin working on the tank. You want to have everything ready with your plan in place so that you can finish the upgrade quickly and return your crabs to their tank. If you are needing several days to a week or more to complete the upgrade, you will need an actually temporary isolation tank with heat and humidity (a 10g tank works good for this).

[@amandacudworth]

Do you introduce springtails or other cleanup crew bugs? How about bugs or worms introduced into the habitat for them to eat?

[@CrabCentralStation]

Great questions! We currently have a small, but growing, springtail population. We have had powder orange isopods in the past but did not appreciate their rapid reproduction rate! We an to introduce isopods again at some point. We are researching different species so that we can get the best fit for us. We do not recommend live food in the crabitat. There are too many risks in an enclosed environment.

[@auggiesaquarium9120]

Hey! Great video. I have a tank and the full set up but I was wondering where the best place to adopt (not buy) hermit crabs are. I'm looking for the best price. I looked on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace and there weren't any in my area. Do you have any ideas where I can get them? I'm getting two by the way.

[@CrabCentralStation]

Oops, answered your other comment before seeing this one. I'm so glad to see you looking to adopt! Josh's Frogs online sell captive bred hermit crabs. They are the only resale store that carry Mary Aker's babies (you can google her blog). We also have captive bred babies but are currently sold out. We did get more to land this past summer but they are too little to adopt out right now. They will be available in July 2023. We have Lila's though, an exotic breed of hermit crab. You can also go to www.LHCOS.org/adoption for adopting crabs that need to be rehomed.

[@auggiesaquarium9120]

@@CrabCentralStation Thank You so much! It means a lot to me that you took time out of your day to respond to my comment

[@RunninUpThatHillh]

I have those tiny white gnats.... and constantly have a hermit crab that's gone under (so can't empty it). No idea how to clean that out. :( I squish them when I see them and keep the tank as clean as possible (normally wouldn't be so tidy, but.. bugs). The crabs seem chill and they aren't all over the crabs or anything. I see them under the food dish when I pick it up. Any ideas? Is raking the top enough? I haven't done much of that. I did read with bugs you need to absolutely scrub all tank accessories, etc. Yikes.

[@CrabCentralStation]

If they are white grain mites, you don't need to change the sub or wash decor, they are not harmful to the crabs at all. Just continue to wipe them off the glass and scoop them off the surface of the substrate when you see them. Feed only dry foods for a couple weeks, replacing the dishes daily (I know that seems wasteful, but this is how you get rid of the bugs).

[@kimberlybrown514]

What can I use to clean the new 29 gallon tank I have before setting it up for them and where can I get the stuff for them to climb on and what kind of water is safe to clean the sides of the tank

[@CrabCentralStation]

White vinegar diluted with water is a good and safe cleaner for the tank. Check out the description in our videos for links to all kinds of great stuff for the tank and necessities.

[@melissaburgert2260]

I am looking to set up a hermit crab tank and have gotten so much info from your videos. I have one question I hoping you can answer, I’m not sure if I missed it in videos, but what top is best for a tank? Do you use a mesh/screen or buy like a glass versa top? I was just worried about holding humidity and if any ventilation is needed. Thanks!

[@CrabCentralStation]

You definitely want a glass top to hold in the humidity. No need for ventilation. Hermit crabs have modified gills. They actually breathe the moisture in the air. So cool, righy?! Enough oxygen exchange takes place when you feed, change water, and do basic tank maintenance.

[@melissaburgert2260]

@@CrabCentralStation thank you so much. I had one for question about heat mats. I have been looking for heating mats and I see a lot of zoo med ones. Is this ok, and can you use more than one to get make sure your covering the back to make sure your getting enough heat? Or is there a better option I’m missing?

[@CrabCentralStation]

We prefer to use Bean Farm heat mats because they are not adhesive, which means you can remove them and reuse them on another tank later. Also, the zoo med heatmats are already insulated, which means it is not safe to add additional insulation. Often times our tanks need additional insulation, especially during winter months.

[@chelseyreyna8427]

I need help! I’m new to owning hermit crabs, and I’m trying to find answers on a few things. I recently bought two hermits, and one disappeared. I’ve seen them digging a few days beforehand’ and I just figured one may be under the substrate. But I read that sometimes it takes a while for them to appear back on surface. Is that true? If so, how would I clean their tank without being worried of collapsing their tunnel. Thank you for your time!

[@CrabCentralStation]

Hi Chelsey, welcome to Crab Central Station! We are so glad you have joined us on your hermie journey! We have a lot of great videos that will teach you all about Hermit crabs and their care. We have a video about your question too... Where is my hermit crab.... You definitely, 100%, do not want to dig for your crab. They dig down, for fun, to destress, and to molt. Disturbing their molt can be a death sentence. If you have your tank set up properly, it becomes bioactive! Way cool! You shouldn't have to replace your substrate.. . Ever (uses you have mold, bacteria, or bugs)! Watch the videos on our channel on how to set up your tank with 5:1 playsand:ecoearth. How to create heat/humidity/water/food/enrichment/maintenance.

[@petsquad3942]

Hello I have a question about hermit crab water for my freshwater pool I give my hermit crab like the water that I drink and I want to know if I just put the conditioner in it or no or I should just use sink water and put conditioner in it for freshwater?

[@CrabCentralStation]

Tap water is actually better than bottled water for our hermit crabs. It has different minerals that are beneficial for them. You want to add Prime every 48 hours.

[@petsquad3942]

K Thank you! :3

[@vickypoernomo4909]

Hello! I am from Indonesia You Guys have very amazing tank set up with Beautiful Hermit Crabs. Anyw I am very confused about cleaning the Hermit Crab tank. Some sources say that we need to remove all of the sand but you said the opposite. So Basically you guys never change the sand for forever except when those 3 reason happen?

[@CrabCentralStation]

Hello 👋 Welcome Vicky! Thank you for your kind words! You are correct, we do not change our substrate at all unless we have mold, bacteria, flood, or dangerous bugs. That's assuming the substrate is the 5:1 playsand to ecoearth ratio. If you are using a different kind of substrate.... the maintenance might be different.

[@vickypoernomo4909]

@@CrabCentralStation Thank you for your answer! Could you please kindly tell me what is play sand that you are currently using? what kind of sand is that? Furthermore, do you have any other alternative brand of the play sand because it seems like I can't find any store that sell quikrete play sand in My Country (Indonesia). Currently I'm using natural beach sand that has been washed and sifted with brick of 'Eco'. What do you think?

[@CrabCentralStation]

I think that will work perfectly 🥰. I'm glad you have washed the sand though. You don't want to bring parasites, fungus, bugs, ect.. from the beach into your closed environment tank.

[@calvinfries9791]

so i just got a couple hermies but kinda messed up already :( I AM using the pps method, but I didn't realize one of my crabs is a purple pincher (Mr. Krabs) and the other Ecuadorian (Kermit). I also just bought 5 circle's of "hermit crab substrate" off petco, not realizing how much it WOULD NOT DRY. i have stuff for 5:1 on the way as well as a heater, light, and thermometer/humidity gauge. I still feel like my 20 gallon tank is kinda small though. And it doesn't help that mr. krabs is checking out the decoration shells A LOT. I dont have and cant find any small enough for him though:( and they won't eat the fruit i give them. Any advice because this is chaotic... PS: You should try connecting those tanks with ladders that go over the walls or something so they can all interact and choose their own tank. Just an idea though

[@CrabCentralStation]

Hello 👋 welcome to CCS! Good job doing PPS! Keep trying different foods, especially proteins. 50% of their diet is protein. Our tanks are all interconnected 😀 the crabs have full reign over all 700+ gallons and can go wherever they wish! They love it!

[@jesswinter]

How do you avoid bugs? I feel like I always end up getting them.

[@CrabCentralStation]

What substrate are you using? What is your humidity? What type of lid are you using?

[@angus7575]

Are the succulant plants in your take live ? I am wanting to get live plants as well for our 55 gallon . we have not got any new crabs to go into our new tank yet as one of my crabs has buried and seems to be molting. We can see him in his cave as he has made it in the corner . should we just leave him alone to molt until he is done and then introduce him to the new crabs in the new tank ? I am worried he will be lonely when he comes out of molt .

[@CrabCentralStation]

absolutely, 100%, let the crab complete his/her molt before moving to the new tank. Some live plants are safe. Check out www.crabstreetjournal.org for the safe list (just type in safe plants in the search bar). Keep in mind any plants you want to use will have to be replanted in 100% organic soil (no fertilizer), and quarantined for 60 days due to pesticides. The crabs will most likely destroy the plants quickly, so for us, we couldn't keep up with the replacement of live plants. It was time consuming and expensive.

[@user-bz8yg6pl6n]

so dried flowers/herbs are completely safe for crabs?

[@CrabCentralStation]

Hi Bean! Not all flowers/herbs are safe. Here is a safe flower link for you to look at: crabstreetjournal.org/?s=safe+flowers&submit=Search

[@silvermoonwcue5800]

Hi its me i need help again, so i have 3 hermit crabs squirt is the smallest Sebastian the biggest, and scuttle the medium one, so yesterday i thought that u HAD to take ur hermit crabs OUT NO MATTER WHAT to clean it and when i picked up Sebastian and scuttle wanted to run around so i put them ina bowl then i picked up squirt...... i knew he has been hiding and i saw this white gunky gew... was he molting? What do i do for his molt? How do i stop the other hermit crab from eating him?

[@CrabCentralStation]

Hi Birdlady, I'm not sure what the white goo is or why that might be happening to Squirt. If you can send me a picture to my email, I will try to give you individual help there. [e-mail]

[@amandacudworth]

Do you ever introduce snails or fish to the tanks to keep them clean? Maybe like catfish or other bottom feeders. If not, do you see any danger in this?

[@CrabCentralStation]

The first thing to consider is the needs of the animal you're wanting to add to the crab pools. Is the pool a big enough environment for the fish, snail, bottom feeder, ect? In most crabitats the pools are not big enough to house other animals. We have a 700 Gallon tank with 10 gallon pools. That is enough space for a snail, maybe a small fish, small bottom feeder. The next question then would be, is the temperature of the water pool too hot for the fish/snail. A lot of the time it is too hot for fish. Then we need to ask if it is safe for the hermits and fish. In my experience, a small bottom feeder or snail can work. However, our crabs caught the snail 😳. So..... we no longer have them in the water tanks because unless we raise them ourselves, they could be carrying a contaminate that we don't want to spread to our crabs. All of that being said.... we, and other experienced hobbiest, are running experiments like this all the time! Hopefully we can find some ways to increase the beauty of our tanks, find helpful critters to keep the pools clean, and maybe add a healthy enrichment for the crabs. We just don't have enough research at this point to be able to recommend keeping any aquatic animals with our crabs. Another good question though!

[@maraleebarela6204]

What toys do you use? Did I see cat toys? And can you use vinegar water or just prime treated?

[@CrabCentralStation]

We do have some cat balls in there! We take the bell out because it is metal and can rust. We also have hamster wheels, natural wood to climb, cork wood tunnels to hide in, coconut huts.

[@Wynterraven1111]

Hi there! I am currently in South Carolina on Vacay, and bought two small purple pincher hermit crabs. ( I know I should not support by buying from beach shops) However, I just could NOT stand seeing all of them in that ridiculous chicken wire cage. So, by getting a couple, at least I could “save” them from basically suffocating in that store. 😭🥺 So, I have a tank at home and will set them up once there. My question is, how do I keep them from getting mites in the tank? Thanks so much in advance, and love what y’all are doing! 🐚🤎🥹☺️🐚

[@CrabCentralStation]

Hi! Do your crabs currently have mites?

[@Wynterraven1111]

@@CrabCentralStation thanks for the quick response! These do not have them. Previous one’s I’ve had years ago did, and I was wondering what could cause them. I think perhaps the tank top I had was a wire one because the tank was for reptiles? I’m thinking maybe that’s why they were able to develop. Just want to make sure i do it correctly this time for these babies. 🐚☀️❤️

[@CrabCentralStation]

There are a lot of different kinds of mites, most are not harmful. Grain mites, for example, are harmless. A closed tank will definitely help. Changing out food every 24-48 hours. Using the correct 5:1 substrate and starting it off dry will also help. We have a ton of videos on our channel.... all aspects of care. Take a look!

[@Wynterraven1111]

@@CrabCentralStation Thank you so much! Truly appreciate y’all’s videos, and I do think it was due to my almost all coconut fiber and wood chip substrate, as well as the vented lid last time. 🙃 Will most definitely be following the advice from y’all’s channel.

[@CrabCentralStation]

You're very welcome, we are glad to help! Welcome aboard the CCS train, we are glad you are here!

[@The_Bible_Girl7]

Where do you get your leaves and bark? I don’t want to just go outside and grab some. I don’t want critters in my tank bugging my hermmies lol 😂

[@CrabCentralStation]

Have you had a chance to watch our foraging video? We talk about what is safe and how to properly sanitize it for the tank. We list some good shops in the description of the video too.

[@lindseywalker2104]

So do you just leave the molts in the sand? Is there not a risk of it rotting or causing issues?

[@CrabCentralStation]

The crabs actually eat their exoskeleton after they molt. It is full of calcium and helps their new exoskeleton harden.

[@lindseywalker2104]

@@CrabCentralStation thank you for the reply!

[@gracegracelynne7602]

Do you ever get mold on your suction cups? Mine get mold on them. All i do is wipe them with a rag and put back in place. Also, i knoticed my tank on the inside gets cloudy and looks to almost be growing like mold or some algae looking thing, idk maybe its just like dust. Idk what it is but i usually just leave it as im layed back about it as well as it is not harming anything.

[@CrabCentralStation]

We don't use suction cups in our current tank because our crabs are too big and they just pull them right down. If a decore item has sections cups, we take them off and use zip ties to attach decor. The cloudy look on the tank glass we do get as well. I just clean it using water and a paper towel.

[@gracegracelynne7602]

@@CrabCentralStation thnx! I was a little worried about the cloudyness on tank. As i am a littls paranoid sometimes. My crabs r getring bigger but r still about mediums. Plus i dont have any backrpund or anuthing to ziptie to. I love your setup though!

[@TinaGraham-i6m]

What kind of leaves and flowers for forage

[@evelynsmith2920]

I noticed that you have some of those cat toys (those little balls with bells in them) will they actually play with those?

[@CrabCentralStation]

Our crabs roll them around all the time. We don't see it often because they seem to do this at night. When we check on them in the morning, the cat toys are in different places.

[@ErasTourThings]

Idk what to do I need to change my water pools but there buried into the ground just a little and one of my crabs is molting so what should I do?

[@CrabCentralStation]

This is one reason we suggest doubling up your pools. Crabs love to molt under them - silly little guys! Since you know that you have a crab right under/by your pool. Just use a turkey baster or some other suction tool to suck out the water. Then, carefully pour the fresh water in the pools.

[@ErasTourThings]

Ok I will do. thank you!

[@CrabCentralStation]

You're welcome 😊

[@yeyewhatever4851]

Where did you buy your hermit crab tank from? And could you maybe give me a link? Thanks

[@CrabCentralStation]

This big tank is a bunch of smaller tanks all together! All of our tanks are used we found off of Craigslist or Facebook market

[@amysteed8500]

Wow, how did you learn how to do all this ❤

[@doctordeath.5716]

We have the same green side ways spin wheel.

[@CrabCentralStation]

Cool!

[@doctordeath.5716]

@@CrabCentralStation totally cool

[@arelycortez7289]

4:58 I was wondering where did you get the tank that has two doors?😍

[@CrabCentralStation]

That tank is made by a company called Exoterra. They make terrarium tanks for reptiles. We just remove the wire screen top and turn it upside down over a base tank. Super easy access to clean and feed. We found most of ours second hand on FB Market.

[@arelycortez7289]

@@CrabCentralStation THANK YOU!!

[@Letycs]

I'm just getting into these after a trip to Daytona. I already have 8 betta too. 😅 I got three probably nickel sized purple pinchers there. A couple weeks after I came back my aunt was in a panic because she picked up some shells while she was in Driftwood, Savannah and unknowingly got a shell with a similar sized hermit (it's shell has a little barnacle on it, it's so cute). I noticed it looked different and upon investigation it seems to be a thinstripe? It has two small claws. I have it in its own quarantine right now, but I wonder if it could eventually cohabitate with my 3 purple pinchers. Is there any concerning behavior to watch out for to judge their health? I'm curious about what substrates and store bought/dried foods are recommended. I currently just have a sand/dirt mixture that was recommended for hermit crabs, but it's like calcium sand and people seem to go back and forth on whether that's okay. My crabs are digging and don't seem to mind though. Also, since they come from around salt water, why do they need fresh and salt water? I kinda wanted to just do a slope with water pooled to one side, but most people seem to do a separate container.

[@CrabCentralStation]

Hello! Welcome to Crab Central Station! We have a lot of videos to help you on your hermit crab journey. 1.The best substrate is 5 parts play sand to 1 part eco earth mixed well. Calcium sand is dangerous for hermit crabs because it turns into a cement like substance when it gets wet. 2. The thin stripe crab you mention is a marine hermit crab and needs to live in a salt water habitat. 3. Foods are super fun! Check out our food 101 video and our Fram to tank. 4. Hermit crabs need both fresh and salt water in a dish deep enough for them to fully submerge in. We have two water videos as well. A basic water pool and advanced water pool tutorial Thanks for joining us here at CCS!

[@Letycs]

@@CrabCentralStation Oh, interesting. I just watched the food video a little bit ago. I'm excited to spoil them. So does that mean the thinstripe one should be fully submerged at all times in a saltwater aquarium or does it need access to land as well?

[@CrabCentralStation]

@@Letycs the marine crab will need a full time saltwater environment.

[@HappyDawgs]

What if your sand is dirty and need to take your hermit crab out where do you put him/her?

[@lakesidestables58]

How many hermit crabs do you have? And when should I get a hermit crab? is there lots to learn?

[@CrabCentralStation]

We have 45 hermit crabs currently. There is a lot to learn, I would work your way through all of our care videos before committing to owning your own hermit crabs.

[@grgrrrrgrgrgrbarkbark4752]

I just got 2 more crabs now I currently have 4 and I would like to know how long can they stay in water for one website said a few minutes and another said 1-2 hours and I'm not quite sure if either is correct. I just got two new water pools off of Etsy and they 6x6 w and 3 1/2 inches deep :)

[@CrabCentralStation]

Hi! Congrats on getting more crabs! Hermit crabs can stay in the water for several hours, as long as you know they have a way in and out they should be ok. However, days on end or 12+ hours is concerning and the crab should be removed

[@grgrrrrgrgrgrbarkbark4752]

@@CrabCentralStation Okay thank you! They seem to be settling in well

[@chelseahernandez266]

I got the substrate thing with the soil looking type thing im not quite sure what to call it and there’s little little white bugs crawling in there is that an infestation?

[@CrabCentralStation]

There were bugs in the new bag you bought? If so, definitely do not use it.

[@unhingeddeafguy]

How often do you recommend cleaning a 40g tank with 3 crabs?

[@CrabCentralStation]

Never! A tank is a bioactive habitat and cleans itself! You should just do upkeep with food and water.

[@kjohnson5558]

Do you include living plants in your tanks?

[@CrabCentralStation]

Yes, we do.