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Step 1
Get an aquarium or cage with a sturdy lid that allows proper ventilation. A glass aquarium works best. Make sure to choose the right sized habitat according to the number and size of hermit crabs that you are housing.
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Step 2
Choose the right substrate, the material that lines the bottom of the tank. There are several different materials to choose from and you want to make sure to have it deep enough that your hermit crabs can bury themselves in it.
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Step 3
Use a thermometer to measure the temperature in the tank. It should be kept at 70 to 75 degrees F at all times. An under tank heater may be necessary to maintain this temperature during the cold time of the year.
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Step 4
Plan on having a wide variety of food to offer your hermit crabs. Make sure they get sufficient calcium in their diet. Dry food may need to be moistened with water to make it soft enough for your hermit crabs to eat.
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Step 5
Provide 3 separate dishes in your aquarium; one for food, one for water and one for your ocean water pond. You can make the water for your ocean water pond by combining 5 tbps. of sea salt per gallon of dechlorinated water. Place a sea sponge in the water dish to provide humidity and moisture to your habitat.
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Step 6
Provide 3 shells of the right size and shape per hermit crab in your tank. Hermit crabs grow by molting, the process of shedding their exoskeleton. They need to have access to shells with openings 1/4 inch larger than their current shells to grow into. The shells should be large enough that the hermit crabs can retract fully in them.
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Step 7
Give your hermit crabs things to climb on and places to hide inside their tank.
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Step 8
Find an online retailer if your local pet store doesn't carry the supplies you need and won't do special orders. See additional Resources below for more information.
