Keeping your hermit crab’s tank clean is crucial for maintaining your pet’s health and happiness. A dirty tank can quickly become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, fungi and pests. Hermit crabs are sensitive creatures, so it’s important to clean their habitat regularly without using harsh chemicals that could irritate their gills and bodies
In this article I’ll walk you through how to thoroughly clean your hermit crab’s tank from top to bottom. With some simple cleaning supplies and a little elbow grease you can get your crab’s home sparkling in no time!
Supplies You’ll Need
- Mild dish soap or vinegar
- Dechlorinator solution
- Paper towels
- Soft brush or sponge
- Fresh substrate (sand, coconut fiber, etc.)
- Clean decor items
Remove Your Crabs First
Before starting any cleaning, carefully transfer your hermit crabs to a temporary holding container. Make sure it has air holes punched in the lid and give them a couple shells or hides to feel secure. Never clean the tank with the crabs still inside since they could get injured or be exposed to toxic fumes.
Gently pick up each crab from behind, cradling their bodies to prevent them from pinching you. Avoid grabbing their legs or claws. Place them directly into the holding container and put it somewhere out of the way.
Take Everything Out of the Tank
Once your crabs are safely tucked away, take all decorations, shells, hides and climbing toys out of the tank. Place delicate items on a towel so they don’t get damaged.
Also take out the food and water dishes, heat and humidity gauges, thermometers and anything else removable from the enclosure. Set these aside to be washed later.
Now you’re ready to start cleaning the empty tank itself.
Scrub the Tank Walls and Bottom
Use a soft sponge or brush dipped in mild dish soap and warm water to gently scrub the inside of the tank. Focus on removing grime, algae, calcium deposits and any stuck-on debris.
Vinegar is another safe option for cleaning the glass, since its acidic properties help dissolve mineral buildup. Dilute it with an equal amount of water first.
Rinse everything thoroughly with dechlorinated water once the scrubbing is complete. This removes all traces of soap and chemicals, which could irritate your crabs.
Be sure to get into the corners and dry the tank fully before moving onto the next steps.
Deep Clean the Substrate
The substrate at the bottom of the tank – usually sand or coconut fiber – soaks up a lot of gunk. It should be spot cleaned weekly and completely replaced every 4-6 months.
First remove all the substrate and discard it. Use a soft brush or vacuum attachment to sweep up any remaining bits.
Wipe down the now-exposed bottom of the tank with your soap and water solution. Rinse well with dechlorinated water.
Once fully dry, add new substrate in a 2-4 inch layer. Now you have a clean foundation for your crabs.
Wash All Decor and Accessories
While the tank dries, start cleaning everything that was removed earlier.
Soak shells, plastic plants, climbing toys and other safe decorations in warm, soapy water. Use a soft brush to gently scrub away any grime or algae.
Rinse very thoroughly since any soap residue left behind could harm your crabs. Place items on a towel to dry.
The food and water dishes should be washed with hot, soapy water. To fully sanitize them, boil for 5-10 minutes after scrubbing. This kills any dangerous bacteria.
Wipe down the thermometers, gauges and any other accessories with a cloth dampened with plain water or a vinegar solution.
Return Everything to the Tank
Once fully dry, you can start putting the tank back together by adding the freshly cleaned substrate followed by all the decor items and accessories.
Refill the food and water bowls with dechlorinated water. Make any other final adjustments to recreate your crabs’ familiar habitat.
Now you can add your hermit crabs back to their nice, clean home! They’ll appreciate the thorough refresh.
Establish a Regular Cleaning Routine
To maintain a healthy tank, aim to do a full deep clean like this every 4-6 weeks. You should also spot clean every 1-2 weeks by:
- Removing and replacing 1/4 of the substrate
- Wiping down tank walls to remove algae
- Cleaning water and food bowls
- Removing moldy food debris
By establishing a consistent cleaning routine tailored to your tank’s needs, you’ll help provide your hermit crabs with a safe, hygienic place to thrive! Proper habitat maintenance is just as important as feeding and handling for their wellbeing.
If you notice a persistent bad odor or your crabs seem lethargic, it’s a sign that more frequent cleanings are needed. Catching issues early prevents major tank fouling.
How to Clean Your Tank | Hermit Crab Care | By Crab Central Station
How to keep a hermit crab tank clean?
It’s also important to remove fecal matter from the tank. Just leaving hermit crab poop in the tank is never a good idea. This poop can attract bugs, and it’ll also smell very bad in the tank. So you should remove the poop daily to keep the hermit crab tank clean. Doing spot cleaning like this won’t take up too much of your time.
How often should a hermit crab tank be cleaned?
The tank should be deep-cleaned once every 4 weeks if you have a large colony of hermit crabs. Deep clean the tank with a mild bleach solution to sterilize it, diluting 1 part bleach with 9 parts water. Alternatively, you can clean the tank with vinegar or a biodegradable cleaning product.
How do you clean a hermit crab with rocks?
To clean a hermit crab with rocks, remove all of the crabs from the tank along with its decorations. Next, rinse the rocks with hot water in a strainer to remove any hermit crab waste, parasites, or pathogens that made their way into your hermit crab’s enclosure.
How do you get rid of mites in a hermit crab tank?
The only way to rid your hermit crab tank of mites is to very thoroughly clean the tank. This includes replacing all of its substrates and dipping each decoration in boiling water. I also recommend leaving the tank out in the sun on a hot summer day to encourage the mites to leave. Mites hate sunlight.