You guys! We totally have a math mistake in this video. We make mistakes just like everyone else, and it just sometimes happens. Hopefully you guys can still enjoy the video with the mistake. 😊
I love your videos so much and my hermies thank you!! Today I spent more at the grocery store for them than I did on human food 😂 after I watching your nutrition video. I always served fresh fruits and veggies but I learned SO much. I ordered organic edible flowers, green sand, worm castings, oyster shells on Amazon. And today at the grocery I bought dried crqnberries, chia seeds, mixed unsalted nuts and more!!! I am learning so much and it’s so fun! Thank you!
I love your videos! I'm hoping to adopt some hermit crabs soon, and your videos are so educational. I had them as a kid and loved them, but I did not know anything about taking care of them. Unfortunately, I kept them in a terrible cage, fed them pellets, and used painted shells, so they passed away. I'm looking forward to doing it right this time and giving them a vibrant, loving, HUMID environment with lots of yummy food and things to climb. I'm especially excited for the pools.
That sounds great! I'm so glad our videos are helping you prepare for your hermies and inspiring you to give them the best life ever! Join the Facebook group - Land Hermit Crab Owners Society (LHCOS) and search their adoption program!
Thank you so much for the specific details. I over think everything and have been researching some things and could never find the answers until I came here! You are the best! 🥰
I got two hermit crabs from a beach shop and didn’t really know how to take care of them for like a month, just recently I found your page and have been trying to help my hermit crabs from the info you give, it has been really helpful but for some reason my parents don’t want me to get the right tools to take care of them. I have the money they just don’t think the crabs need stuff like saltwater, a heater, and thermostat🙁 however I have gotten them on to the correct diet.
Hi Julia! We are so glad our channel has been able to help you out with your hermit crab care! We totally understand your frustration. When we first got our crabs (also from a beach shop) there was customer at the shop who was rescuing some crabs next to us. She began to tell us some of the care that they required to live a long and healthy life and we thought she was crazy (now look at us haha)! We totally understand where your parents are coming from because we were once in the same place that they are! It might be helpful to remind them that hermit crabs come from the beach, where saltwater is in vast abundance. While they are "land hermit crabs" we have found that they spend a great deal of time soaking in our saltwater pools for a swim, as it reminds them of their natural habitat. As for the heater, remind them of how hot and humid it is at the beach! Show them the anatomy of a crab, and how they have modified gills which REQUIRE humidity In the air to breath! Try and explain to your parents that without the proper heat and water pools (which makes for breathable humid air) your crabs will slowly suffocate! Unfortunately, once they are stripped from their natural home (due to the horrible hermit crab industry) the BEST thing we can do is provide them a habitat that most closely resembles the one in which they were taken from! Thank you for supporting our channel and please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions! Best of luck on your hermit journey! You seem to be doing a great job with your crabs! Keep it up! :)
Crab Central Station, Thank you! I hope I can convince my parents because I really don’t want my hermit crabs to die. I’m going to try to give them the best life possible! Thank you again for helping me out, I really appreciate it!
Wow, thank you for all the knowledge! The how to calibrate the humidity is awesome, because I have not ever had to do that before (until now, with a new hermit crab, first time crab).
The math chalkboard graphic in your first salt calculation is off by one. Love your videos and can't wait to send a pic of our new crabitat, large thanks to you and your channel for helping us learn proper care of such cute and fascinating creatures!!
Thanks for letting us know! We are not above mistakes for sure. Hopefully everyone can still get what we mean with the mistake. So glad you’re enjoying our videos!
Thank you so much for sharing this valuable info about Hermit crabs! I have been a little stressed after a friend gave me his little Hermies... It has been ages since I had Hermit crabs, and at times I lived in Florida lol. Now I live in New Mexico which equals almost no humidity at all! I have been running around town purchasing a 20-gallon tank and a bunch of Hermit crab essentials. The reptile humidifiers that I found online, I had to send back because they weren't functional... oh my goodness so much stress since I am worrying my little Hermies will die in this desert-dry climate. I think your video(s) has the most informative information so far; thank you! :)
Wow! What a wonderful complement! Thank you so much! welcome to the "crabby life"! And to the Crab Central Station #CrabCrew We are so glad you found our channel and that our content is helping you get a wonderful enclosure set up for your new hermies! Check out our website for videos, care guides, care groups, shops, and links! www.crabcentralstation.com
So I have no clue if someone has asked this yet lol. I just got my hermit crabs from a beach shop in South Padre. But I realized once I started watching your videos that I have one of each kind of crab. What should I do for humidity and temperature! 🦀
If you guys ever need help with plastic let me know I’ve worked in plastic industry for 13 years , for my to I use a corrugated polycarbonate which is great for greenhouses and keeping in the humidity. I’ve been having an issue getting shells as I live in Pittsburgh. :( Love what you do keep up the very informative videos we love them.
Thank you so much for all the great info on your channel! This may be a silly question, but I'm wondering about putting a decorative photo background in my tank. Can that go over the heat mat, or is that a fire hazard?
@@CrabCentralStation You were so right!!! Ever sense I’ve made my change from heat pads on the back instead of heat lamps I’ve had so much more activity!! I also fixed my humidity problem as well!! Thankyou so much.
So with some bad advice before I was recommended to you guys & your awesome videos & information. I upgraded my tank to a 55 gallon I had been having some issues with humidity & was told to start out with wet & moist substrate 1:5 ratio. I am absolutely having the problem with mold starting. Is there a way to dry my substrate out w/o having to take it all out? Thanks for the advice and all the helpful info I'm fairly new to crabs and still learning. A lot thanks to your videos!!
Since setting up my current crabitat a couple months ago, I've really battled too high humidity (95-99%). I joined a FB group that actually recommends putting the substrate in dry based on one of the major crab group websites (I can't remember which one) recommendation because the substrate actually accumulates water over time. I guess after a year or so you can run into problems with flooding due to this accumulation. This is such a mental block for me. I'm getting ready to upgrade my cage yet again (40 gal breeder) and wondering if I should go dry, lightly moistened in the upper region, or full-out sand-castle consistency all the way through (8 inches of the substrate).
Hi Kristy, the answer to this might depend on what state you live in? If you live in a very dry, desert area, slightly moisening the top portion would be helpful. If you live in a humid state/area, definitely go with dry sub. It does take a little while to get dry sub to sand castle consistency, but is worth it long term. 100% do not start off with wet sub... it can lead to issues with mold, bacteria, fungus, and floods.
So glad we could help! We use standard aquarium LED lighting set onto of our tanks. As far as live plants go, they can be a challenge in the crabitat. We like to do chia seed patches! The cabbies eat it up!
Hello I know this video was from a couple yrs ago but I hope this message reaches you guys! I have a 10 gallon tank with 1 hermit crab inside, I've watched All your videos and done my research and have bought everything I was suppose to; I have a BN-Link mat with a thermostat and I have reptile zoo digital thermometer/hygrometer and I calibrate it last night to make sure it was reading correctly and it seems to be find it was at 78% doing the water salt in a ziplock bag so I know to subtract 3% for my humidity levels and I also bought a glass canopy top lid, before I had a plastic one with a opening in the back cause it use to be a fish tank anyways my question is about humidity now since buying the heat mat and glass lid my humidity has been awful high it was at 99%! I have my lid cracked open now trying to release some of the humidity... I did have my thermostat/heat mat set on 75% but recently turned it down to 73% hoping this week help lower the humidity, the temperature in my take has been from 72° to 78° so it's been good just that humidity jump up way higher when I bought the glass lid before without the glass lid and with my heat mat the humidity was staying between 75-78%... My question is did I buy the wrong lid, I bought this to keep gnats out and also to make sure my crab did Not escape and also to help with the humidity... Any and all help advice would be great and I want to Thank You so much for All of your amazing videos I have learned so much from your channel, Keep up the good work and great advice :) Thank You !!
Also I forgot to let you know I do have 2 water dishes on the opposite side of the heat mat, one for regular water and one for sea salt and I use prime to conditioner them both, the next step I was going to do is start leaving out the water dishes to see if that would help my humidity problem or atless take the regular water dish out cause it seems to evaporate alot of water over night but my sea salt water dish does not evaporated.. Maybe only leave the water dishes in the tank throughout the night and take it out during the day?
You bought the correct kind of lid - glass is best! I know this comment was several months ago, I'm so sorry for the delay in response! We try to answer ever comment but got behind during breeding season and I'm just getting caught up! I hope things are going better now? It could be: your tank just needed some time to settle and stabilize. Could be that your substrate was wet when you added it? Maybe the pools are too big for the size tank you have. It could also be that you need a bigger heater. The last think I can think of is that it is just really hard to regulate a 10g tank. They are so small and there isn't enough space/air to regulate. I hope these suggestions help you.
Hello!! Just recently discovered your channel and it is awesome! Just wondering, where did you get your cute little blue pet wheel in your crabitat from? It looks like so much fun for hermies.
Hi Lainy! Welcome to Crab Central Station! We're so glad you found our channel, thanks for supporting us! We get our hamster saucers from Petco. The blue one is a medium size.
New hermit-crab caretaker here! My child was given some by a friend and when one died 6 months in, we went to get another one because the pamphlet that came with them that I took as gospel said they were social and needed a friend. I thought this was normal and these creatures just didn't have long lifespans (yes, the tiny plastic container, the rocks, the processed food pellets, everything but painted shells!😭😭). We received A LOT of very helpful education but I feel like it's just the tip of the iceberg. Guilt ridden, I am trying to do better for the one that survived and his two new tiny friends in their 20 gallon tank with the substrate, climbing features, salt and fresh water, humidifier, and fresh foods. That being said, we purchased a heat lamp that emits UVA and UVB light because we were under the impression that it would strengthen their shells. The humidity struggle is real even with the lamps set to a timer. Now that I've seen this video they're being shelved. All that to say, is this a scam or is there anything I even need to do for their shells? Obviously I understand that as important as their diet is for them that won't effect the shells since they aren't physically attached. Another random tangent; I've been doing a weekly crab soak in distilled water for 1 minute in the belief that it helps them keep their shells free of debris and such. Is this good practice or am I committing even more crustacean atrocities out of ignorance? TLDR: send help, idk what I'm doing
I use heat lamps on top of the glass or now as of recent heat lamp inside the tank. But I use a ceramic light that generates heat only and no light at all. I do not use UV or basking lights however. The ceramic light alone on a thermostat does well but me and my wife will be adding a thermal mat to the back like our previous set up. Hope this was helpful.
Hi so glad I found your videos. Great information. Do I need heat in the summer? I'm in Georgia and it's already hot & humid. So my tank is reading right. Thanks
If your tank is reading right then you should be fine. I live in Michigan where it gets humid and hot in the summer and much cooler in the fall and winter months. I definitely unplug some heat mats and adjust my pool bubblers in the more warm and humid months. Just keep monitoring and adjust accordingly.
Thank you for all the great info. We bought a glass top for our tank, but now we are left wondering how to best place the thermostat probe inside the crabitat. Doing so leaves the top ajar, and I’m afraid heat and humidity will escape.
We have the same "problem" with out tanks. It doesn't seem to cause issues with heat and humidity. However, you can put a piece of duct tape/clear package tape over the hole if you want.
What if your tank is too hot? Mine has been in the high 80's to low 90's since I got my thermometer in there a last week. I have had these guys for roughly 3 weeks, and got their PPS tank set up with basics in the first few days. Thank you by the way, all your videos have been my guide.
If your tank is insulated, remove the insulation. You can buy a thermostat to connect to the heat mat that will automatically shut the heat mat off when it gets too hot.
I just got two Hermit Crabs for my Birthday, I basically had no idea what to do or how to take care of them, thankfully this channel has helped me so much! I'm just curious if the digital heat mat thermostat is needed since my crabitat is always at a perfect temp without it.
Happy Birthday! What a great gift! I'm so glad you have joined us on your journey! You do not have to use the thermostat. It's just a nice tool available if you want to use it.
Hey great videos. One question I see you have backgrounds on your tanks. Are they plastic ? I’m thinking of using a grass wall but will this be safe with a heat mat? Thanks😊
Ok, maybe a dumb question. I want to have a foam background inside my tank. Would the heat mat still work? I am wondering if the foam background would keep the heat from penetrating the inside of tank. Thoughts on other ways of heating tank?
Hello! I’m wanting to switch my hermies’ lighting after researching your information. What size heat pads should I get for their ten-gallon tank? I’m planning on getting a bigger tank in the near future as well, maybe a 20 gallon or bigger. Do heating pads come in bigger sizes? I love the desk light idea so I can watch them during the day. I feel bad that I got their lighting wrong this first time around. I’m so glad I found your channel! My hermies have still done well though. They just finished their first molts a couple weeks ago. Thank you for any pointers you give! It’s very appreciated. 🐚
Welcome to CCS! We are so glad you have joined us on your journey. Heat mats come in all kinds of sizes. Measure the back of your tank above the substrate level. Try reptile basics, they have great heat mats.
Thank You for your great explanation, it is very helping! Anyw One Last Question My Friend So the tank need to be completely sealed right? Means that we can't have any holes on the lid right?
Greta idea! We will be doing an experiment in one of our tanks soon that involves UV lighting, but we can definitely do a quick Tat Chat on the lighting we use currently use in our tanks in the near future! I hope you enjoyed the video :)
CHE's are meant to be used with a thermostat just like heat mats are, to prevent burns. They're the most popular option in the hedgehog community, by far (hedgehogs need temperatures between 72-80ish). Larger hedgehog enclosures may require more than one heat lamp for even coverage. Interestingly, many hedgehog enthusiasts recommend against using heat mats for the same reason hermit keepers recommend against heat lamps--the concern for burns. But if used properly with a functioning thermostat, neither should result in burns. I have not heard of any hedgehog keepers placing a heat mat on the side of an enclosure, though, and am very curious about whether it'd work for a hedgehog the way it works so well for hermit crabs.
Yes! Thermostats are a must for other species with different types of over head heating. Even though a Che can be attached to a dimming thermostat, it still will create a basking hot spot which isn’t good for hermit crabs. I don’t know anything about hedgehogs, I’d be curious to see if it would work on the side!
Awesome information but I have a question. If I am seeing moisture build up on the inside walls is there to much humidity even if my thermostat reads correct
Probably, that is usually a sign of high humidity. Are you using a digital or analog guage? If it is analog, they are notorious for being inaccurate, unfortunately.
I recently purchased a 40 gallon breeder tank for my 4 crabs. My question is.. what kind of natural background that the crabs can climb that won't block the heat on the back of the tank?
I love your videos I have a few important questions I have 7 and need to upgrade tanks and making some accessories how could we chat Thank you for your videos
Awesome information! I have a quick question on using a thermostat with my heat mat. I saw in a comment on this video you recommended the probe to be placed in the middle, somewhere above the substrate but not on the glass. Do I need to worry about the wire to the probe? Will the crabs damage the wire? Do I need to put some kind of tubing over the wire to keep it free from damage? Have you ever had any issue with this? Do you have any advice on this? Thanks greatly!
Great video. Thanks for the awesome information. Can u do a video with more details on how to calibrate ba guage. How to get the guage to read 75 exact?
You don’t get it to reach 75 exactly. If it doesn’t reach 75 then your gauge is off and you have to adjust the numbers. So if it reads 76 after you take it out of the bag you know it’s 1% off. So, if you go to look in your tank and it says 85% it’s actually 84%. The only way to get it to be 75% exactly is if it could be calibrated to 75%, but we have yet to find one that does that.
@@CrabCentralStation Thanks so much for your time and knowledge! Thanks for being such great parents to your animals, and an inspiration to us all. You guys rock!
Hello Crab Central Station ☺️ I just finished setting up my first crabitat (20 gallon tank with two crabbies but I will set up 50 gallon tank for them in a near future). I bought a digital humidity monitor (same brand but different model like you have). I calibrated it the way you showed in this video. My gauge was showing 65% humidity after 24 hours. Did something go wrong or should I really always add 10% to the number shown on the monitor in the tank? I have it in there for two days now and the number is usually around 85% or even higher so if I added 10, it would be actually 95% or more 😟 Should I try to calibrate it again? I keep opening the lid when the number gets above 80% but I feel like I don’t know what the real humidity number in my tank is 😕 Any advice is greatly appreciated! ❤
I know these are older videos but I just bought hermit crabs not having a clue how much they actually need for a proper life. I have a 10 gallon tank and I wanted to get the bean farm mat but it's like 11×23. So my question is do they sell smaller mats?
thanks for all the info , your videos are a great resource for someone like myself who is kinda new to the game . i recently upgraded to a 75 gallon tank and purchased a bean farm mat that as you recommended, extends the entire width of the tank and from the top of the substrate to the top of the tank .also bought the thermostat that you have shown in the video .pretty happy with both . my question is where do you locate the sensor in the tank ? i have been trying to find a sweet spot where the tank comes up to temperature and the thermostat cuts the power to the mat without cycling on and off too much and the temp inside the tank doesnt fluctuate more than a few degrees. also,do you insulate the back of your mats somehow to direct more of the heat towards the inside of the tank? one final question , i seem to have to "vent "the tank every morning by opening the lid because the humidity is so high the glass is all fogged up. i believe its because my substrate is new and has a high water content that will hopefully calm down soon before i start getting mold .i apologize if you have answered these questions previously , any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated . thanks again for this and all your videos .
Hello 👋! Welcome to the "crabby" life! We are glad you have joined us here at Crab Central Station on your journey! Sounds to me like you are off to a GREAT start! What lucky crabs to have you caring for them! Question 1 - we generally place the thermostat probe close to the back of the tank. But, moving it around to find the "sweet spot" like you are already doing is the best. You may have to move it when seasons change too. For example, maybe close to the back during summer and closer to the middle during winter months. #2 - Yes, we do insulate the back of the tank to push the heat forward and to help hold it in. We bought cheep silver car windshield sunshades and just cut them to size. They work great! We just use ear packing tape to adhere them. Leave a little space at the base of the heat mat, where the cord comes down, untaped so that there is a little space for airflow. #3 - Condensation is pretty common, especially in new builds. Once the tank settles and regulates, the condensation nirmally decreases. A few things to keep in mind. 1- wipe off the condensation every time you see it. 2- insulating/bringing up the heat will help. 3- if the room the tank is in, is WAY cooler then the tank - you will constantly fight this issue. Try redirecting AC vent if it is blowing toward the tank. You can fully cover the tank at night to help as well. 4- if you set up your substrate with wet substrate, it will take a long time to regulate. Keep an eye out for flooding or mold/fungus. Setting up the tank with dry substrate is best. I really hope these tips help you! Welcome to the #CCSCrabCrew
thanks alot for the response , as i said before , your videos have been a tremendous help with more than i thought i was ever gonna know about hermit crabs, started with one that my son brought home from vacation several years ago, to having a 75 gallon tank in our living room . anyone visiting goes straight to the tank to check it out , they are pretty cool critters . thanks again for all you do ✌
Hi I have a question. Where do you guys get your hood lights for your tanks, I have a 20 gallon and I can't find a hood light anywhere. Please answer as soon as possible.xx
Hi! Here is a link to the lights we use 😊 AQUANEAT LED Aquarium Light Full Spectrum Fish Tank Light 12" 20" 24" 30“ 36" 48" Multi-Color Fresh Water Light www.amazon.com/dp/B0811QTHCM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_W657ZPWNQ8CC5JNRN4DH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Hello! I’ve (like others) have been binge watching your videos!! I do have a question though, if I’m not asking this too late on this video, we have a plastic tank with a mesh top 😬 I’ve taped Saran Wrap on the mesh top but I read plastic tanks don’t keep heat very well. If we have a 10 gallon tank with one small stick-on-the-side heating pad from petco and a U.T.H and get the moss you suggested, do you think that’ll work?
Hi Heather 👋 Welcome to CCS and the "crabby" life! A 10 gallon will work for now. You will just need to upgrade as your crabs grow. The UTH you have might work. It really depends on how warm/cool the room the tank is in. Those heating pads can only raise the heat in the tank a small amount.
Thank you for the videos!! So before I found the info I had mixed all 3 of our tanks with 5:1 sand and eco. BUT I soaked the eco until it absorbed all the water then mixed it into sand. This given me instant sand castle consistency. I live in the south where it’s already humid and I’m now afraid of possible flooding in future. Should I just mix more sand in to dry it out some? I hope this makes sense
My hydrometer is always 10 off. I have two they both read 10 below 75. Am I maybe not putting enough water in the salt or too much water? Or is mine just that far off..
Alright, dumb question, do you put the heat Mat on the outside or inside of the back tank? Not sure if it heats the glass and that warms the tank or what
No dumb questions here! We are all on a journey of learning and we are happy you asked! The heat mat goes on the outside of the tank and heats up the glass which will then heat the air within the tank.
I have 3 hermit Crabs as it is coming into winter in AUS we got a heat mat but it doesn’t tell us what temperature it is can u pls tell us what “degree Celsius” we should have it on thank you very much.
I have the last and final question. How does the heat mat thermostat gauge work with Bean Farm heat mat together. Can you show me step by step on how to do it please. Sorry I had so many questions.
Just plug the eat mat into the thermostat. Set the thermostat to 85°F. Place the probe inside the tank near the middle of the tank and hanging about halfway down. That's it, now you don't have to worry about over heating the tank.
@@CrabCentralStation that won't cause an electric shock or a short in the wire will it.. won't cause a fire? You do this to all yours right? Thank you for getting back to me.
Hey, thanks so much for sharing this, it’s so hard to find informative content on hermit crabs. Qq, humidity and temperature in my tank seem always to be ok, around 85 each, but I do get a lot of condensation on the walls (specially in the mornings), plus some of the decor (mostly wood and terracota) have been getting mouldy. Do you have any insights/recommendations for that? Thanks so much for your time. Cheers
Okay, pools seem like a good size. Perhaps the room your tank in is so much colder than the tank that it is causing condensation. You can try covering the whole tank with a blanket at night, that might help. If your using an analog Guage, that could be giving you false readings. Try a good digital guage.
With both tanks you can only fit 2 crabs in there, so we recommend the y’all. This will allow you to put more substrate while also having room to add things at the top. A 29 gallon is both tanks combined if you want the length and the height. And yes! We can make a video on how to tell them apart. Most of them are pretty distinguishable from each other.
it's Monday July 20th 2020 9:44 p.m. my hermit crab is out of it's shell for its second time and I don't know what's going on the temperature is at 80 for the humidity is also at 84 this is his second time not sure if he's moltingthank you for your videos very helpful and also any comments you give me will be much appreciated love your channel thank you for the previous answers
Hi Matthew. Get a small Tupperware bowl or mug and put a teaspoon of prime treated fresh water in the bottom. Add the shell your crab was wearing and 2 others to the bowl/mug. Carefully, using a spoon, place your naked crab in the bowl/mug with the shells and water. Place the bowl back in the tank with a cloth over the top. Leave him be for 1 hr, hopefully he will reshell. The bowl/mug should be small so that the crab has nothing to think about but the shells that are right next to him.
Thank you so much ❤️bashful the one that was out of it's shell got back in at Shell I had to help will not force it but leave its way, I manually put it in there very carefully he's back in there and I checked my tank and put a digital gauge and therefore the humidity and temperature and the humidity was almost at 100% so I seen what the problem is and I adjusted the problem thank you so much for your adviceand I'm a subscriber and I like all your videos since I've been subscribed to you that I watch and I tell my friends about you so you are awesome and God sent 🙏
Where should the thermostat probe be placed in the tank? I just bought the 11 X 47 inch bean farm heat mat and the BN-Link thermostat for my 75 gallon. I can't figure out the best place for the probe. I have digital gauges on both ends of the tank., if that makes a difference. Also can I use double sided Nano tape that is rated for up to 200 F to attach the mat to the back of my tank?
The probe for the thermostat should be place against the glass where the bean farm heat mat is attached. This will give the best reading and help keep the tank from getting too hot.
The first thing to understand is that it is your parents house and their rules are important to listen to. Pushing won’t help. However, showing you’re responsible can help persuade them. Taking up extra chores as well as showing them you are able to afford the costs of the hermit crabs could help convince them.
Please help! When calibrating a digital thermometer/hygrometer, Crabstreet Journal says to check the gauge after 6 hours, not 24. I’ve done both ways and get two different readings (obviously). I recently asked this question specifically in the LHCOS FB group. Can you please clarify?
Hi Beth Cooper. Some how we missed this comment, I am so sorry! We really try to answer all of them. Forgive us for missing your's. Did you get the help you needed at LHCOS? If not, I am happy to help you with that now. Let me know.
Hi, I was wondering if the set up for heat set up etc is totally different in Australia. I can't find a good video of setting up a hermit crab tank set up for Australian crabbies. We are in Western Australia which is quite warm except in winter.
Hello Mary of Australia! WOW! So cool to chat with someone from the other side of our world! Thanks for watching our videos. I do happen to know a woman that is also captive breeding hermit crabs and she lives in Australia. She follows our same guidelines and has had success with her crabs. I hope that helps!
Hello 👋, you want the heater to go on the back of the tank, on the outside, from the top of the substrate to the top of the tank and across as much as possible. No heater below the substrate.
What if i leave in a place that already has the temperature and humidity they need? I leave in a place next to the beach, today the average humity percentage is 78 and the temperature is between 26 and 31 degrees *celsius*. I leave in Brasil and don't speak english very well, so sorry if it's hard to understand
I have a 20 gallon (long) tank, which measures 30" in width. I have the UTH from Bean Farm (23"width) along with a -BN-LINK digital heat mat thermostat, however, can't seem to get the temp higher than 73 degrees even though I have set the thermostat to 80. Humidity is spot on right at 85%. Also, I am using a Acurite Thermometer/Hygrometer which has been calibrated, sitting in the middle of the tank slightly elevated above the substrate. What additional measures do I need to try to increase the heat? Thank you so much in advance!
Hello! How cold is it where you live? Sometimes it can be challenging to keep heat up in cold places! You can put blankets around the tank or order a larger or secondary heat mat as well!
Hi, I recently acquired a 20 gallon long tank with a bunch of accessories for hermit crabs. I won't be using half of them because they're not ideal. Including the UTH which only covered about 2/5 of the back of the aquarium. I went to Bean Farm and found one that is the perfect length but it's the same height as the tank, meaning it would be heating the substrate, too. Is that ok? I don't know where to find one that is the narrow height I need. Please help!
Good morning Darcy, I purchased the heat strip from Bean Farm… Came with instructions, however, was vague about the application used to apply to the back of the tank. What method did you use? Appreciate it!
Another question: Regarding the LED strip (or was it a light bar?) you listed below. Does it “hoover” over the tank lid on the outside, or is it somehow inside the tank but under the lid? Just curious. I’d like to look into that option as well for regular lighting for my babies.
Hey I don’t think you will reply but I have an outer heater mat but it didn’t heat my tank properly so do you have any good suggestions for inner heaters because my hermit crabs died because I couldn’t keep up the heat
Love you videos, lots of helpful info! Just got my crabs and trying to follow the PPDS method, but I am having a time with my humidity. My problem is that my tank seems to get VERY humid easily. I cannot even spray inside the tank because it will get to 89% in like under 3 mins. The heat is pretty stable, but I was wondering if you could give me any tips about the humidity. Thanks!
Hello! Im so glad we have been able to help so far! In order to help with your problem I would like to evaluate your tank situation so I have a few questions about your tank! What type of tank do you have? What water pools do you have? Do they have bubblers? What substrate do you have and if it includes multiple substances, what is the ratio? Do you have wet moss in your tank? How often do you spray?
@@CrabCentralStation right now I have a 10 gal tank, no moss, I dont spray but once a day maybe bc the humidity really spikes when I do that. Right now I am using sand and just an inch or so to try and follow the ppds method. I have a salt and fresh water pools no bubblers the salt water pool is bigger than the fresh water.
@Crab Central Station I need help! I have a 10 gallon tank an I got everything ready to go but the only thing is I have a mesh lid an I wrapped it with that plastic wrap but The gauge for humidity is in the red so at like 90 so I had to uncover the corner of the plastic wrap so it can go down to the yellow of 75 but I don't know if itll be good to keep it like that or do I need just a smaller heat mat??
How did you attach your mat to the back of your tank? Just packing tape? I have the bean farm heating mat, last thing I need for my crabitat. Just want to make sure it's safe.
Great! I'm so glad you are finding our channel videos helpful! You do not have to have the two water pools the same size. As long as the largest crabs can fully submerge in both of them, you are good.
@@CrabCentralStation Awesome, thanks for the reply! I share with him that you replied and he cheered! He is 8 years old. We happened to pick up a 2.5-gallon tank for the saltwater yesterday, and will be using Instant Ocean Sea Salt for that. We might use a smaller 1-gallon or even 1/2-gallon tub for the fresh distilled water tank. We are setting everything up slowly according to your videos/instructions, not in a rush, just a moderate-paced project for him.
I love it! You’ll be glad you took your time and set things up properly! Your crabs and their activity will be worth it! Just a note that distilled water is not the best for hermit crabs. They actually need the natural minerals found in tap water. Use Prime to get rid of the bad stuff in tap water (check out our video on how to make safe water for your crabs). Happy crabbing!
@@CrabCentralStation oh ok cool. No to tap water then. We use a Berkey filter because our tap water tastes like yuck...like pool water 😆. Will definitely find the video for that thanks again. 😊
What about plastic tanks. Would I be able to place the mat on the plastic like u said without it melting? Is there another heater u recommend for plastic tanks?
Hi, I have a coco mat attached to the back of my crabitat. Question: can the UTH still be placed on the back? I really don't want to block the viewing panes. It's entirely enclosed and the UTH has a thermostat.
This is a great idea! However, we have 5 tanks of hermit crabs and with their different molting times I don’t think it would be possible to introduce all of them sadly. We may be able to do a similar video though! We will brainstorm
Not sure if you'll see this on an old video, but should the heat mat be on the inside or outside of the tank? I put it on the outside a few months ago because I didn't want to crabs to touch it and burn themselves, but now I cannot keep my tank warm with it being colder!
You are correct, it goes on the outside of the tank. We have a video on how to keep your tank warm during winter. That will give you some ideas to try and bring the heat up.
You guys! We totally have a math mistake in this video. We make mistakes just like everyone else, and it just sometimes happens. Hopefully you guys can still enjoy the video with the mistake. 😊
Yeah I was confused, I just bought the same digital Guage at Walmart soooo, what would be the correct way?
whats the correct math?
The correction is a pinned comment at the top of the video.
She is way too long winded
I love your videos so much and my hermies thank you!! Today I spent more at the grocery store for them than I did on human food 😂 after I watching your nutrition video. I always served fresh fruits and veggies but I learned SO much. I ordered organic edible flowers, green sand, worm castings, oyster shells on Amazon. And today at the grocery I bought dried crqnberries, chia seeds, mixed unsalted nuts and more!!! I am learning so much and it’s so fun! Thank you!
Hello! I just wanted to say thank you! I have 4 hermit crabs and are all healthy thanks to this channel teaching me the right thing to do!
Thank you so much for watching!
I love your videos! I'm hoping to adopt some hermit crabs soon, and your videos are so educational. I had them as a kid and loved them, but I did not know anything about taking care of them. Unfortunately, I kept them in a terrible cage, fed them pellets, and used painted shells, so they passed away. I'm looking forward to doing it right this time and giving them a vibrant, loving, HUMID environment with lots of yummy food and things to climb. I'm especially excited for the pools.
That sounds great! I'm so glad our videos are helping you prepare for your hermies and inspiring you to give them the best life ever! Join the Facebook group - Land Hermit Crab Owners Society (LHCOS) and search their adoption program!
Thank you so much for the specific details. I over think everything and have been researching some things and could never find the answers until I came here! You are the best! 🥰
The heat mats catch on fire and they were catching crabs on fire
I got two hermit crabs from a beach shop and didn’t really know how to take care of them for like a month, just recently I found your page and have been trying to help my hermit crabs from the info you give, it has been really helpful but for some reason my parents don’t want me to get the right tools to take care of them. I have the money they just don’t think the crabs need stuff like saltwater, a heater, and thermostat🙁 however I have gotten them on to the correct diet.
Hi Julia! We are so glad our channel has been able to help you out with your hermit crab care! We totally understand your frustration. When we first got our crabs (also from a beach shop) there was customer at the shop who was rescuing some crabs next to us. She began to tell us some of the care that they required to live a long and healthy life and we thought she was crazy (now look at us haha)! We totally understand where your parents are coming from because we were once in the same place that they are! It might be helpful to remind them that hermit crabs come from the beach, where saltwater is in vast abundance. While they are "land hermit crabs" we have found that they spend a great deal of time soaking in our saltwater pools for a swim, as it reminds them of their natural habitat. As for the heater, remind them of how hot and humid it is at the beach! Show them the anatomy of a crab, and how they have modified gills which REQUIRE humidity In the air to breath! Try and explain to your parents that without the proper heat and water pools (which makes for breathable humid air) your crabs will slowly suffocate! Unfortunately, once they are stripped from their natural home (due to the horrible hermit crab industry) the BEST thing we can do is provide them a habitat that most closely resembles the one in which they were taken from! Thank you for supporting our channel and please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions! Best of luck on your hermit journey! You seem to be doing a great job with your crabs! Keep it up! :)
Crab Central Station, Thank you! I hope I can convince my parents because I really don’t want my hermit crabs to die. I’m going to try to give them the best life possible! Thank you again for helping me out, I really appreciate it!
the best info. straight from the source. ty. im a newbie and this is so easy. so many hermit crab misconceptions. .. . . .
Wow, thank you for all the knowledge! The how to calibrate the humidity is awesome, because I have not ever had to do that before (until now, with a new hermit crab, first time crab).
Yay! Welcome aboard Crab Central Station! We're so glad you're here with us on this journey 😊 thanks for watching our videos!
The math chalkboard graphic in your first salt calculation is off by one. Love your videos and can't wait to send a pic of our new crabitat, large thanks to you and your channel for helping us learn proper care of such cute and fascinating creatures!!
Thanks for letting us know! We are not above mistakes for sure. Hopefully everyone can still get what we mean with the mistake. So glad you’re enjoying our videos!
Thank you so much for sharing this valuable info about Hermit crabs! I have been a little stressed after a friend gave me his little Hermies... It has been ages since I had Hermit crabs, and at times I lived in Florida lol. Now I live in New Mexico which equals almost no humidity at all! I have been running around town purchasing a 20-gallon tank and a bunch of Hermit crab essentials. The reptile humidifiers that I found online, I had to send back because they weren't functional... oh my goodness so much stress since I am worrying my little Hermies will die in this desert-dry climate. I think your video(s) has the most informative information so far; thank you! :)
Wow! What a wonderful complement! Thank you so much! welcome to the "crabby life"! And to the Crab Central Station #CrabCrew We are so glad you found our channel and that our content is helping you get a wonderful enclosure set up for your new hermies! Check out our website for videos, care guides, care groups, shops, and links!
www.crabcentralstation.com
So I have no clue if someone has asked this yet lol. I just got my hermit crabs from a beach shop in South Padre. But I realized once I started watching your videos that I have one of each kind of crab. What should I do for humidity and temperature! 🦀
I see that there’s a background in your tank but can’t see the heating mat. How do you do that?
Thank you for your response on the heater
Anytime!
I’ve learned so much watching this thank you so much !!!
Incredibly informative! Thanks!
Thank you!
If you guys ever need help with plastic let me know I’ve worked in plastic industry for 13 years , for my to I use a corrugated polycarbonate which is great for greenhouses and keeping in the humidity. I’ve been having an issue getting shells as I live in Pittsburgh.
:( Love what you do keep up the very informative videos we love them.
Thank you! We really appreciate the support!
Thanks i am setting up a hermit crab tank but I was still confused the the heat and humidity,I almost bought a heat lamp. Thanks for the help
I LOVE your videos. Thank you so much for your help with getting my Crabitat setup. :)
Glad to help!
Thank you so much for all the great info on your channel! This may be a silly question, but I'm wondering about putting a decorative photo background in my tank. Can that go over the heat mat, or is that a fire hazard?
Thankyou!!!! I have heat lamps but after hearing this definitely getting heat mats for the back!!!
I bet you will see an increase in activity too!
@@CrabCentralStation You were so right!!! Ever sense I’ve made my change from heat pads on the back instead of heat lamps I’ve had so much more activity!! I also fixed my humidity problem as well!! Thankyou so much.
@@Ion_cooltan_guy Yay! How exciting! I'm so glad you and the crabbies are happy!
So with some bad advice before I was recommended to you guys & your awesome videos & information. I upgraded my tank to a 55 gallon I had been having some issues with humidity & was told to start out with wet & moist substrate 1:5 ratio. I am absolutely having the problem with mold starting. Is there a way to dry my substrate out w/o having to take it all out? Thanks for the advice and all the helpful info I'm fairly new to crabs and still learning. A lot thanks to your videos!!
Since setting up my current crabitat a couple months ago, I've really battled too high humidity (95-99%). I joined a FB group that actually recommends putting the substrate in dry based on one of the major crab group websites (I can't remember which one) recommendation because the substrate actually accumulates water over time. I guess after a year or so you can run into problems with flooding due to this accumulation. This is such a mental block for me. I'm getting ready to upgrade my cage yet again (40 gal breeder) and wondering if I should go dry, lightly moistened in the upper region, or full-out sand-castle consistency all the way through (8 inches of the substrate).
Hi Kristy, the answer to this might depend on what state you live in? If you live in a very dry, desert area, slightly moisening the top portion would be helpful. If you live in a humid state/area, definitely go with dry sub. It does take a little while to get dry sub to sand castle consistency, but is worth it long term. 100% do not start off with wet sub... it can lead to issues with mold, bacteria, fungus, and floods.
@@CrabCentralStation I'm in a very humid area (North Carolina). I think I will do less water then:) Thanks so much!
Your info has been so incredibly awesome! What kind of plants can I add? Your work is absolutely beautiful! What kind of lighting do you use? Thks
So glad we could help! We use standard aquarium LED lighting set onto of our tanks. As far as live plants go, they can be a challenge in the crabitat. We like to do chia seed patches! The cabbies eat it up!
Hello I know this video was from a couple yrs ago but I hope this message reaches you guys! I have a 10 gallon tank with 1 hermit crab inside, I've watched All your videos and done my research and have bought everything I was suppose to; I have a BN-Link mat with a thermostat and I have reptile zoo digital thermometer/hygrometer and I calibrate it last night to make sure it was reading correctly and it seems to be find it was at 78% doing the water salt in a ziplock bag so I know to subtract 3% for my humidity levels and I also bought a glass canopy top lid, before I had a plastic one with a opening in the back cause it use to be a fish tank anyways my question is about humidity now since buying the heat mat and glass lid my humidity has been awful high it was at 99%! I have my lid cracked open now trying to release some of the humidity... I did have my thermostat/heat mat set on 75% but recently turned it down to 73% hoping this week help lower the humidity, the temperature in my take has been from 72° to 78° so it's been good just that humidity jump up way higher when I bought the glass lid before without the glass lid and with my heat mat the humidity was staying between 75-78%... My question is did I buy the wrong lid, I bought this to keep gnats out and also to make sure my crab did Not escape and also to help with the humidity... Any and all help advice would be great and I want to Thank You so much for All of your amazing videos I have learned so much from your channel, Keep up the good work and great advice :) Thank You !!
Also I forgot to let you know I do have 2 water dishes on the opposite side of the heat mat, one for regular water and one for sea salt and I use prime to conditioner them both, the next step I was going to do is start leaving out the water dishes to see if that would help my humidity problem or atless take the regular water dish out cause it seems to evaporate alot of water over night but my sea salt water dish does not evaporated.. Maybe only leave the water dishes in the tank throughout the night and take it out during the day?
I think u need at least two hermit crabs
You bought the correct kind of lid - glass is best! I know this comment was several months ago, I'm so sorry for the delay in response! We try to answer ever comment but got behind during breeding season and I'm just getting caught up! I hope things are going better now? It could be: your tank just needed some time to settle and stabilize. Could be that your substrate was wet when you added it? Maybe the pools are too big for the size tank you have. It could also be that you need a bigger heater. The last think I can think of is that it is just really hard to regulate a 10g tank. They are so small and there isn't enough space/air to regulate. I hope these suggestions help you.
That's true... they do need a buddy.
How did this experiment go?
Hello!! Just recently discovered your channel and it is awesome! Just wondering, where did you get your cute little blue pet wheel in your crabitat from? It looks like so much fun for hermies.
Hi Lainy! Welcome to Crab Central Station! We're so glad you found our channel, thanks for supporting us! We get our hamster saucers from Petco. The blue one is a medium size.
New hermit-crab caretaker here! My child was given some by a friend and when one died 6 months in, we went to get another one because the pamphlet that came with them that I took as gospel said they were social and needed a friend. I thought this was normal and these creatures just didn't have long lifespans (yes, the tiny plastic container, the rocks, the processed food pellets, everything but painted shells!😭😭). We received A LOT of very helpful education but I feel like it's just the tip of the iceberg. Guilt ridden, I am trying to do better for the one that survived and his two new tiny friends in their 20 gallon tank with the substrate, climbing features, salt and fresh water, humidifier, and fresh foods. That being said, we purchased a heat lamp that emits UVA and UVB light because we were under the impression that it would strengthen their shells. The humidity struggle is real even with the lamps set to a timer. Now that I've seen this video they're being shelved. All that to say, is this a scam or is there anything I even need to do for their shells? Obviously I understand that as important as their diet is for them that won't effect the shells since they aren't physically attached.
Another random tangent; I've been doing a weekly crab soak in distilled water for 1 minute in the belief that it helps them keep their shells free of debris and such. Is this good practice or am I committing even more crustacean atrocities out of ignorance?
TLDR: send help, idk what I'm doing
I use heat lamps on top of the glass or now as of recent heat lamp inside the tank. But I use a ceramic light that generates heat only and no light at all. I do not use UV or basking lights however. The ceramic light alone on a thermostat does well but me and my wife will be adding a thermal mat to the back like our previous set up. Hope this was helpful.
How is the mat working?
Hi so glad I found your videos.
Great information.
Do I need heat in the summer?
I'm in Georgia and it's already hot & humid.
So my tank is reading right.
Thanks
If your tank is reading right then you should be fine. I live in Michigan where it gets humid and hot in the summer and much cooler in the fall and winter months. I definitely unplug some heat mats and adjust my pool bubblers in the more warm and humid months. Just keep monitoring and adjust accordingly.
Thank you for all the great info. We bought a glass top for our tank, but now we are left wondering how to best place the thermostat probe inside the crabitat. Doing so leaves the top ajar, and I’m afraid heat and humidity will escape.
We have the same "problem" with out tanks. It doesn't seem to cause issues with heat and humidity. However, you can put a piece of duct tape/clear package tape over the hole if you want.
Thank you! Also, should I be concerned if my crab wants to hang out by the heat pad wall in the back of the tank? The tank is 85° with 80% humidity.
@@83_Nation that's pretty normal. I wouldn't worry about it.
Awesome video, my gauge came today, heater coming tomorrow, and we are excited!
Yay!!
Hello! Thank you for posting!
Hello! Thank you for supporting our channel!
What if your tank is too hot? Mine has been in the high 80's to low 90's since I got my thermometer in there a last week. I have had these guys for roughly 3 weeks, and got their PPS tank set up with basics in the first few days. Thank you by the way, all your videos have been my guide.
If your tank is insulated, remove the insulation. You can buy a thermostat to connect to the heat mat that will automatically shut the heat mat off when it gets too hot.
I just got two Hermit Crabs for my Birthday, I basically had no idea what to do or how to take care of them, thankfully this channel has helped me so much! I'm just curious if the digital heat mat thermostat is needed since my crabitat is always at a perfect temp without it.
Happy Birthday! What a great gift! I'm so glad you have joined us on your journey! You do not have to use the thermostat. It's just a nice tool available if you want to use it.
Just wondering how the cork bark holds up in topper with humidity? Is it likely to mould?
Can you guys do a video on molting?
Yes!
Hey great videos. One question I see you have backgrounds on your tanks. Are they plastic ? I’m thinking of using a grass wall but will this be safe with a heat mat? Thanks😊
I’m not sure what kind of crabs I have, but I can investigate to find out when they pop out of their shells to see what they look like.
It’s always good to know! Remember that you want to have at least two of every breed!
I have a zoo med tank heating mat. Were do you put the heating mat on the back of the tank? The left side the right side or the middle?
Hi Noah, You want the heat mat to cover 75 -100% of the back of your tank above the substrate level. I hope that helps?
Ok thank you
Ok, maybe a dumb question. I want to have a foam background inside my tank. Would the heat mat still work? I am wondering if the foam background would keep the heat from penetrating the inside of tank. Thoughts on other ways of heating tank?
Many hermit crab keepers have used foam backgrounds and have not had issues with heat within the tank.
Hello! I’m wanting to switch my hermies’ lighting after researching your information. What size heat pads should I get for their ten-gallon tank? I’m planning on getting a bigger tank in the near future as well, maybe a 20 gallon or bigger. Do heating pads come in bigger sizes? I love the desk light idea so I can watch them during the day. I feel bad that I got their lighting wrong this first time around. I’m so glad I found your channel! My hermies have still done well though. They just finished their first molts a couple weeks ago. Thank you for any pointers you give! It’s very appreciated. 🐚
Welcome to CCS! We are so glad you have joined us on your journey. Heat mats come in all kinds of sizes. Measure the back of your tank above the substrate level. Try reptile basics, they have great heat mats.
Thank You for your great explanation, it is very helping!
Anyw One Last Question My Friend
So the tank need to be completely sealed right? Means that we can't have any holes on the lid right?
Correct, completely sealed.
My hermit crab died yesterday,I got 2 more tho and the humidity is low, thx for the help
Thank you so much! Can you make a video on lights? Regular vs. UV? and how long to leave the lights on for them?
Greta idea! We will be doing an experiment in one of our tanks soon that involves UV lighting, but we can definitely do a quick Tat Chat on the lighting we use currently use in our tanks in the near future! I hope you enjoyed the video :)
Do you put the heat mate inside the tank or outside on the back side of the tank?
Hi! The heat mat goes on the outside of the tank
Csn I use a regular fish tank plastic top with a light or just glass for my crabs
You can use the plastic kind.
CHE's are meant to be used with a thermostat just like heat mats are, to prevent burns. They're the most popular option in the hedgehog community, by far (hedgehogs need temperatures between 72-80ish). Larger hedgehog enclosures may require more than one heat lamp for even coverage. Interestingly, many hedgehog enthusiasts recommend against using heat mats for the same reason hermit keepers recommend against heat lamps--the concern for burns. But if used properly with a functioning thermostat, neither should result in burns. I have not heard of any hedgehog keepers placing a heat mat on the side of an enclosure, though, and am very curious about whether it'd work for a hedgehog the way it works so well for hermit crabs.
Yes! Thermostats are a must for other species with different types of over head heating. Even though a Che can be attached to a dimming thermostat, it still will create a basking hot spot which isn’t good for hermit crabs. I don’t know anything about hedgehogs, I’d be curious to see if it would work on the side!
Awesome information but I have a question. If I am seeing moisture build up on the inside walls is there to much humidity even if my thermostat reads correct
Probably, that is usually a sign of high humidity. Are you using a digital or analog guage? If it is analog, they are notorious for being inaccurate, unfortunately.
@@CrabCentralStation yup, we will now be getting a digital. Thank you!
Great choice! You won't be sorry. We use Acurite brand - Walmart or Amazon ... less than 10 bucks
I recently purchased a 40 gallon breeder tank for my 4 crabs. My question is.. what kind of natural background that the crabs can climb that won't block the heat on the back of the tank?
Check out our 3d topper video for ideas!
I love your videos I have a few important questions I have 7 and need to upgrade tanks and making some accessories how could we chat
Thank you for your videos
This is a great place to ask your questions, that way others can learn too 😊
Awesome information! I have a quick question on using a thermostat with my heat mat. I saw in a comment on this video you recommended the probe to be placed in the middle, somewhere above the substrate but not on the glass. Do I need to worry about the wire to the probe? Will the crabs damage the wire? Do I need to put some kind of tubing over the wire to keep it free from damage? Have you ever had any issue with this? Do you have any advice on this? Thanks greatly!
This is a great question! As long as the wire is suspended in mid air and the crabs cannot reach it, you are good to leave it in the tank "exposed."
Great video. Thanks for the awesome information. Can u do a video with more details on how to calibrate ba guage. How to get the guage to read 75 exact?
You don’t get it to reach 75 exactly. If it doesn’t reach 75 then your gauge is off and you have to adjust the numbers. So if it reads 76 after you take it out of the bag you know it’s 1% off. So, if you go to look in your tank and it says 85% it’s actually 84%. The only way to get it to be 75% exactly is if it could be calibrated to 75%, but we have yet to find one that does that.
@@CrabCentralStation Thanks so much for your time and knowledge! Thanks for being such great parents to your animals, and an inspiration to us all. You guys rock!
Thank you so much! ❤️
Hi! So if my gauge (same one you use) read 65 after calibrating and reads 80 in the tank, does that mean it is 90% humidity?? Slightly confused..
Hello Crab Central Station ☺️ I just finished setting up my first crabitat (20 gallon tank with two crabbies but I will set up 50 gallon tank for them in a near future). I bought a digital humidity monitor (same brand but different model like you have). I calibrated it the way you showed in this video. My gauge was showing 65% humidity after 24 hours. Did something go wrong or should I really always add 10% to the number shown on the monitor in the tank? I have it in there for two days now and the number is usually around 85% or even higher so if I added 10, it would be actually 95% or more 😟 Should I try to calibrate it again? I keep opening the lid when the number gets above 80% but I feel like I don’t know what the real humidity number in my tank is 😕 Any advice is greatly appreciated! ❤
I bought a heat matt for my 20 gal tank and it is the whole length but it is not heating past 75 and wanted to ask if there were any tricks to that
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
I know these are older videos but I just bought hermit crabs not having a clue how much they actually need for a proper life. I have a 10 gallon tank and I wanted to get the bean farm mat but it's like 11×23. So my question is do they sell smaller mats?
thanks for all the info , your videos are a great resource for someone like myself who is kinda new to the game . i recently upgraded to a 75 gallon tank and purchased a bean farm mat that as you recommended, extends the entire width of the tank and from the top of the substrate to the top of the tank .also bought the thermostat that you have shown in the video .pretty happy with both . my question is where do you locate the sensor in the tank ? i have been trying to find a sweet spot where the tank comes up to temperature and the thermostat cuts the power to the mat without cycling on and off too much and the temp inside the tank doesnt fluctuate more than a few degrees. also,do you insulate the back of your mats somehow to direct more of the heat towards the inside of the tank? one final question , i seem to have to "vent "the tank every morning by opening the lid because the humidity is so high the glass is all fogged up. i believe its because my substrate is new and has a high water content that will hopefully calm down soon before i start getting mold .i apologize if you have answered these questions previously , any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated . thanks again for this and all your videos .
Hello 👋! Welcome to the "crabby" life! We are glad you have joined us here at Crab Central Station on your journey!
Sounds to me like you are off to a GREAT start! What lucky crabs to have you caring for them!
Question 1 - we generally place the thermostat probe close to the back of the tank. But, moving it around to find the "sweet spot" like you are already doing is the best. You may have to move it when seasons change too. For example, maybe close to the back during summer and closer to the middle during winter months.
#2 - Yes, we do insulate the back of the tank to push the heat forward and to help hold it in. We bought cheep silver car windshield sunshades and just cut them to size. They work great! We just use ear packing tape to adhere them. Leave a little space at the base of the heat mat, where the cord comes down, untaped so that there is a little space for airflow.
#3 - Condensation is pretty common, especially in new builds. Once the tank settles and regulates, the condensation nirmally decreases. A few things to keep in mind.
1- wipe off the condensation every time you see it.
2- insulating/bringing up the heat will help.
3- if the room the tank is in, is WAY cooler then the tank - you will constantly fight this issue. Try redirecting AC vent if it is blowing toward the tank. You can fully cover the tank at night to help as well.
4- if you set up your substrate with wet substrate, it will take a long time to regulate. Keep an eye out for flooding or mold/fungus. Setting up the tank with dry substrate is best.
I really hope these tips help you! Welcome to the #CCSCrabCrew
thanks alot for the response , as i said before , your videos have been a tremendous help with more than i thought i was ever gonna know about hermit crabs, started with one that my son brought home from vacation several years ago, to having a 75 gallon tank in our living room . anyone visiting goes straight to the tank to check it out , they are pretty cool critters . thanks again for all you do ✌
You're very welcome! I couldn't agree more! They ARE pretty cool creatures!
Hi I have a question. Where do you guys get your hood lights for your tanks, I have a 20 gallon and I can't find a hood light anywhere. Please answer as soon as possible.xx
Hi! Here is a link to the lights we use 😊
AQUANEAT LED Aquarium Light Full Spectrum Fish Tank Light 12" 20" 24" 30“ 36" 48" Multi-Color Fresh Water Light www.amazon.com/dp/B0811QTHCM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_W657ZPWNQ8CC5JNRN4DH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
@@CrabCentralStation Oh that's great. Thank you! Do the lights come with it? Also are the lights ok for hermit crabs? Sorry for all the questions.
That is the light! It doesn’t come with a lid.
@@CrabCentralStation oh ok thank you. Do I have to buy a lid? If so, where would I find a lid?
Hello! I’ve (like others) have been binge watching your videos!! I do have a question though, if I’m not asking this too late on this video, we have a plastic tank with a mesh top 😬 I’ve taped Saran Wrap on the mesh top but I read plastic tanks don’t keep heat very well. If we have a 10 gallon tank with one small stick-on-the-side heating pad from petco and a U.T.H and get the moss you suggested, do you think that’ll work?
Hi Heather 👋 Welcome to CCS and the "crabby" life! A 10 gallon will work for now. You will just need to upgrade as your crabs grow. The UTH you have might work. It really depends on how warm/cool the room the tank is in. Those heating pads can only raise the heat in the tank a small amount.
I’m waiting for my hermit crab to stop molting to redo my tank hopefully more warmth will help
I need a link for the heaters please!
Thank you for the videos!! So before I found the info I had mixed all 3 of our tanks with 5:1 sand and eco. BUT I soaked the eco until it absorbed all the water then mixed it into sand. This given me instant sand castle consistency. I live in the south where it’s already humid and I’m now afraid of possible flooding in future. Should I just mix more sand in to dry it out some? I hope this makes sense
More sand will work to dry it out! Greta idea!
My hydrometer is always 10 off. I have two they both read 10 below 75. Am I maybe not putting enough water in the salt or too much water? Or is mine just that far off..
Alright, dumb question, do you put the heat Mat on the outside or inside of the back tank?
Not sure if it heats the glass and that warms the tank or what
No dumb questions here! We are all on a journey of learning and we are happy you asked! The heat mat goes on the outside of the tank and heats up the glass which will then heat the air within the tank.
I have 3 hermit Crabs as it is coming into winter in AUS we got a heat mat but it doesn’t tell us what temperature it is can u pls tell us what “degree Celsius” we should have it on thank you very much.
I have the last and final question. How does the heat mat thermostat gauge work with Bean Farm heat mat together. Can you show me step by step on how to do it please. Sorry I had so many questions.
Just plug the eat mat into the thermostat. Set the thermostat to 85°F. Place the probe inside the tank near the middle of the tank and hanging about halfway down. That's it, now you don't have to worry about over heating the tank.
@@CrabCentralStation that won't cause an electric shock or a short in the wire will it.. won't cause a fire? You do this to all yours right? Thank you for getting back to me.
Yes, we do this in all our tanks
@@CrabCentralStation Okay, thank you so so much Darcy for answering all my questions!!!!❤️🌸🦋
Any time 😁
Hey, thanks so much for sharing this, it’s so hard to find informative content on hermit crabs. Qq, humidity and temperature in my tank seem always to be ok, around 85 each, but I do get a lot of condensation on the walls (specially in the mornings), plus some of the decor (mostly wood and terracota) have been getting mouldy. Do you have any insights/recommendations for that? Thanks so much for your time. Cheers
Hi! You can wipe the condensation off of the walls. How big are your pools?
2L each, tank is 4ft. Love the channel, thanks for sharing ❤️
Okay, pools seem like a good size. Perhaps the room your tank in is so much colder than the tank that it is causing condensation. You can try covering the whole tank with a blanket at night, that might help. If your using an analog Guage, that could be giving you false readings. Try a good digital guage.
Will do! Thanks so much for your time ❤️🌻
Which is better 20 gallon long or 20 gallon tall? Also how do you tell the hermit crab species apart? Do you think y’all could make a video on that?
With both tanks you can only fit 2 crabs in there, so we recommend the y’all. This will allow you to put more substrate while also having room to add things at the top. A 29 gallon is both tanks combined if you want the length and the height. And yes! We can make a video on how to tell them apart. Most of them are pretty distinguishable from each other.
Crab Central Station thank you!
it's Monday July 20th 2020 9:44 p.m. my hermit crab is out of it's shell for its second time and I don't know what's going on the temperature is at 80 for the humidity is also at 84 this is his second time not sure if he's moltingthank you for your videos very helpful and also any comments you give me will be much appreciated love your channel thank you for the previous answers
Hi Matthew. Get a small Tupperware bowl or mug and put a teaspoon of prime treated fresh water in the bottom. Add the shell your crab was wearing and 2 others to the bowl/mug. Carefully, using a spoon, place your naked crab in the bowl/mug with the shells and water. Place the bowl back in the tank with a cloth over the top. Leave him be for 1 hr, hopefully he will reshell. The bowl/mug should be small so that the crab has nothing to think about but the shells that are right next to him.
Thank you so much
Thank you so much ❤️bashful the one that was out of it's shell got back in at Shell I had to help will not force it but leave its way, I manually put it in there very carefully he's back in there and I checked my tank and put a digital gauge and therefore the humidity and temperature and the humidity was almost at 100% so I seen what the problem is and I adjusted the problem thank you so much for your adviceand I'm a subscriber and I like all your videos since I've been subscribed to you that I watch and I tell my friends about you so you are awesome and God sent 🙏
Where should the thermostat probe be placed in the tank? I just bought the 11 X 47 inch bean farm heat mat and the BN-Link thermostat for my 75 gallon. I can't figure out the best place for the probe. I have digital gauges on both ends of the tank., if that makes a difference. Also can I use double sided Nano tape that is rated for up to 200 F to attach the mat to the back of my tank?
The probe for the thermostat should be place against the glass where the bean farm heat mat is attached. This will give the best reading and help keep the tank from getting too hot.
@@CrabCentralStation Ok, Thank you!
Sure! Happy to help!
I have researched hermit crabs a LOT and I really want one! But my parents keep saying no! How do I convince them?
The first thing to understand is that it is your parents house and their rules are important to listen to. Pushing won’t help. However, showing you’re responsible can help persuade them. Taking up extra chores as well as showing them you are able to afford the costs of the hermit crabs could help convince them.
Hello!
Does the heat mat go inside the tank on the back or does it go on the outside on the back? Thanks
Outside the tank on the back above the substrate line
Please help! When calibrating a digital thermometer/hygrometer, Crabstreet Journal says to check the gauge after 6 hours, not 24. I’ve done both ways and get two different readings (obviously). I recently asked this question specifically in the LHCOS FB group. Can you please clarify?
Hi Beth Cooper. Some how we missed this comment, I am so sorry! We really try to answer all of them. Forgive us for missing your's. Did you get the help you needed at LHCOS? If not, I am happy to help you with that now. Let me know.
Hi, I was wondering if the set up for heat set up etc is totally different in Australia. I can't find a good video of setting up a hermit crab tank set up for Australian crabbies. We are in Western Australia which is quite warm except in winter.
Hello Mary of Australia! WOW! So cool to chat with someone from the other side of our world! Thanks for watching our videos. I do happen to know a woman that is also captive breeding hermit crabs and she lives in Australia. She follows our same guidelines and has had success with her crabs. I hope that helps!
Well explained
Thanks so much! I teach middle school, so I do a lot of explaining 😁
I just ordered a heater from bean farms does the heater go on the inside of the tank or the out side. Wasn’t sure what was the dest
Hello 👋, you want the heater to go on the back of the tank, on the outside, from the top of the substrate to the top of the tank and across as much as possible. No heater below the substrate.
Do I need a heat mat? I live in Australia and it’s already naturally hot here
Quick Questions
I have two hermit crabs. and boy do they poop, how would I clean it up and how regularly? Thats it! Thanks!
We have a video about tank clean up that will answer all of those questions ☺️
What if i leave in a place that already has the temperature and humidity they need? I leave in a place next to the beach, today the average humity percentage is 78 and the temperature is between 26 and 31 degrees *celsius*. I leave in Brasil and don't speak english very well, so sorry if it's hard to understand
Were do you put the prob for ther thermostat
I have a 20 gallon (long) tank, which measures 30" in width. I have the UTH from Bean Farm (23"width) along with a -BN-LINK digital heat mat thermostat, however, can't seem to get the temp higher than 73 degrees even though I have set the thermostat to 80. Humidity is spot on right at 85%. Also, I am using a Acurite Thermometer/Hygrometer which has been calibrated, sitting in the middle of the tank slightly elevated above the substrate. What additional measures do I need to try to increase the heat? Thank you so much in advance!
Hello! How cold is it where you live? Sometimes it can be challenging to keep heat up in cold places! You can put blankets around the tank or order a larger or secondary heat mat as well!
I would also check to ensure that the thermometer is working!
So do I use a bean farm or a under tank heater
Hi! A bean farm heat mat is an under the tank heater, it’s just a brand!
Hi, I recently acquired a 20 gallon long tank with a bunch of accessories for hermit crabs. I won't be using half of them because they're not ideal. Including the UTH which only covered about 2/5 of the back of the aquarium. I went to Bean Farm and found one that is the perfect length but it's the same height as the tank, meaning it would be heating the substrate, too. Is that ok? I don't know where to find one that is the narrow height I need. Please help!
Good morning Darcy,
I purchased the heat strip from Bean Farm…
Came with instructions, however, was vague about the application used to apply to the back of the tank.
What method did you use?
Appreciate it!
I'm pretty sure in one of her videos she says to use packing tape. That's what we ended up using.
You're right! Thanks for helping out 😁
Yes, we use ear packing tape. You can use duct tape if you rather.
@@nicholereimer1837 Thank you so much!
@@CrabCentralStation Thank you so much!
Another question: Regarding the LED strip (or was it a light bar?) you listed below. Does it “hoover” over the tank lid on the outside, or is it somehow inside the tank but under the lid? Just curious. I’d like to look into that option as well for regular lighting for my babies.
The light sits on the top of the tank lid on the outside of the tank. Hope this helps!
Hey I don’t think you will reply but I have an outer heater mat but it didn’t heat my tank properly so do you have any good suggestions for inner heaters because my hermit crabs died because I couldn’t keep up the heat
I have tried many different heat mats, and they affect the temperature of my hermit crab tank. What do I do since heat mats don't work?
Love you videos, lots of helpful info! Just got my crabs and trying to follow the PPDS method, but I am having a time with my humidity. My problem is that my tank seems to get VERY humid easily. I cannot even spray inside the tank because it will get to 89% in like under 3 mins. The heat is pretty stable, but I was wondering if you could give me any tips about the humidity. Thanks!
Hello! Im so glad we have been able to help so far! In order to help with your problem I would like to evaluate your tank situation so I have a few questions about your tank!
What type of tank do you have?
What water pools do you have? Do they have bubblers?
What substrate do you have and if it includes multiple substances, what is the ratio?
Do you have wet moss in your tank?
How often do you spray?
@@CrabCentralStation right now I have a 10 gal tank, no moss, I dont spray but once a day maybe bc the humidity really spikes when I do that. Right now I am using sand and just an inch or so to try and follow the ppds method. I have a salt and fresh water pools no bubblers the salt water pool is bigger than the fresh water.
Where is your gauge located in the tank?
@@CrabCentralStation it is in my bedroom there is a ceiling fan in there but it is not directly under it and is not near the vent
@@CrabCentralStation It is located in the middle
What if the owner lives in a tropical country where it's usually hot, (ex. Philippines) would the tank still need a heat mat? Srlsy asking this
@Crab Central Station I need help! I have a 10 gallon tank an I got everything ready to go but the only thing is I have a mesh lid an I wrapped it with that plastic wrap but The gauge for humidity is in the red so at like 90 so I had to uncover the corner of the plastic wrap so it can go down to the yellow of 75 but I don't know if itll be good to keep it like that or do I need just a smaller heat mat??
The analog gauges are notoriously incorrect. The best thing to do is to get a digital gauge.
Does the heat pad go in the hermit crab tank or outside?
Outside the tank, on the back wall, above the substrate level.
Crab Central Station thank you.
How did you attach your mat to the back of your tank? Just packing tape? I have the bean farm heating mat, last thing I need for my crabitat.
Just want to make sure it's safe.
Yes, we use packing tape to attach the heat mat. Just tape around the outside edges.
Have been watching a lot of your videos. My son wants to know do you need to have the same size tank of fresh water as salt water inside the crabitat?
Great! I'm so glad you are finding our channel videos helpful! You do not have to have the two water pools the same size. As long as the largest crabs can fully submerge in both of them, you are good.
@@CrabCentralStation Awesome, thanks for the reply! I share with him that you replied and he cheered! He is 8 years old. We happened to pick up a 2.5-gallon tank for the saltwater yesterday, and will be using Instant Ocean Sea Salt for that. We might use a smaller 1-gallon or even 1/2-gallon tub for the fresh distilled water tank. We are setting everything up slowly according to your videos/instructions, not in a rush, just a moderate-paced project for him.
I love it! You’ll be glad you took your time and set things up properly! Your crabs and their activity will be worth it! Just a note that distilled water is not the best for hermit crabs. They actually need the natural minerals found in tap water. Use Prime to get rid of the bad stuff in tap water (check out our video on how to make safe water for your crabs). Happy crabbing!
@@CrabCentralStation oh ok cool. No to tap water then. We use a Berkey filter because our tap water tastes like yuck...like pool water 😆. Will definitely find the video for that thanks again. 😊
You’re welcome!
Thank you so much this helped me
Great! We are so glad our videos are helpful! Thank you for watching and supporting our family!
What about plastic tanks. Would I be able to place the mat on the plastic like u said without it melting? Is there another heater u recommend for plastic tanks?
Plastic tanks (such as a plastic bin) are a good temporary alternative, but we don't recommend them for extended use.
New to hermit crabs and trying to set up our tank properly. Is it possible to use aquarium backgrounds with the heater attached to the back glass?
Yes! We have them on all of our tanks. We use ultratherm heat mats though. I'm not 100% on the zoomed kind.
with the heating pad against the glass, would that not hurt the crab when they climb on it?
The heating pad is not that hot.
Hi, I have a coco mat attached to the back of my crabitat. Question: can the UTH still be placed on the back? I really don't want to block the viewing panes. It's entirely enclosed and the UTH has a thermostat.
Yes, the heatmat will actually heat up the coco mat and help insulate the tank. Just keep an eye on mold, sometimes that happens with coco mats.
I say that they have a wide variety of food on etsy and was thinking of giving my hermit crabs that but I’m not sure if that is the right thing to do
As long as the food is safe for hermit crabs it should be great! We love to purchase our foods from websites and etsy shops!
Crab Central Station thanks
Could you make a video introducing you're crabs😊
This is a great idea! However, we have 5 tanks of hermit crabs and with their different molting times I don’t think it would be possible to introduce all of them sadly. We may be able to do a similar video though! We will brainstorm
Not sure if you'll see this on an old video, but should the heat mat be on the inside or outside of the tank? I put it on the outside a few months ago because I didn't want to crabs to touch it and burn themselves, but now I cannot keep my tank warm with it being colder!
You are correct, it goes on the outside of the tank. We have a video on how to keep your tank warm during winter. That will give you some ideas to try and bring the heat up.