Reptile & Amphibian Forums

around easter i got two hermit crabs when i was on vacation in myrtle beach. i didnt know they needed so much care at the time. so they spent about two weeks in a critter carrier (i am very ashamed to admit this...) but they got along fine.

now the two of them are in a five gallon tank with one of those expanable bricks of subtrate (i expanded it with salt water) they have access to fresh and salt water (dechloramined) they have a coconut shell hide out (i made it myself... way hard haha) and some shells. the humidity is at around 65% and i cant seem to make it go any higher.. if anyone has any tips on that it would be great.

i also have a heater that only keeps the heat at around 65 too though... but since i live in michigan it will be warmer for them soon enough.. my main problem is that i am in the basement of my house. i have an egress window but the houses in my subdivision are so close not much light comes in. will this be bad for my crabs? should i get a lamp for them insted of an undertank heater?

any other tips for a new crab owner??

First off.. welcome to the board. I'm glad that you've found us here.

I have a couple of questions for you. Does your 5 gallon tank have a lid to cover the top? If so, if you drape a towel over part of the lid, it will help to trap in some of the moisture, and increase your humidity levels and your temperature.

Also, if your reptile specific undertank heater isn't keeping the tank warm enough, you can use a human grade heating pad, and prop the tank so it's not sitting directly on it. Since it's adjustable, you can sometimes get a higher temperature with those.

Also, your hermit crabs do need access to daylight. If your windows don't allow much light, and you're not able to move them into a place where they can get light, I'd get a bulb. You'll have to work with placement of the light so that your tank doesn't get too hot with the undertank heater along w/ the bulbs. You don't want the bulb burning 24/7, as a constant light will add extra stress... so you'll want yout undertank heater still, to keep them warm at night.

Hope this helps. Please keep us posted on how your hermits are doing! Feel free to ask if you have any more questions.

PHStorme

thanks!!

i got a heating pad and it works great! so did the towel!

my crabs are doing great and theyre more active. i've moved the tank upstairs till i can get them a bulb

I'm glad to hear that the heating pad and towel helped, and that they're moving around more for you.

Congrats
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PHStorme