The habitat of any pet plays a key role in their settling time. It is important for the owner to keep an eye on the cleanliness of their pet’s habitat so that they stay happy. It is same for hermit crab as well to keep their aquarium clean. You need to know how to clean a hermit crabs aquarium firstly so that you can do it effectively. It will get a lot raunchy inside the aquarium if it is not cleaned regularly.
It may sound difficult to a lot of individuals out there how to clean a hermit-crabs aquarium, but in real, it is not. At least once in a month, it is necessary for the owner to entirely clean the aquarium with fresh sand and good scrubbing. Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners for cleaning aquarium because they are likely to be harmful for hermit-crabs. Natural gentle cleaners work best. Ensure that it is rinsed completely several times prior adding more substrate. The reason behind why and how to clean a hermit crabs aquarium regularly are:
- If hermit crab’s aquarium won’t be kept clean, they would not stay happy and may become bigheaded. Never employ soap for cleaning the aquarium. Using vinegar and water for washing and cleaning the aquarium is suitable as well as other accessories in it. Soap contains harmful chemicals which can be dangerous for the hermit-crabs.
- When cleaning shells, boil them for around five minutes so that contaminated particles stuck to them gets washed off permanently, then put them in the aquarium. Remove debris and other waste from the aquarium first. Substrate in the aquarium must be strained before placing them back to their position. Use de-chlorinated water in boiling even with shells as they will make it healthy for the hermit crabs.
- Hermit-crabs must be happy, comfortable and healthy in their aquarium. A non suitable living environment for the hermit-crabs, as it will make them weak, could result in their death. Provide them an appropriate shelter they require. A suitable environment for hermit crabs will make them live longer, healthier and happier.
- Make sure your hermit-crabs don’t have mites. The main reason behind why and how to clean a hermit-crabs aquarium is to ensure that they must be free from mites. Mites are a form of disease which occurs on hermit-crabs in form of white and brown grains. If your hermit crab gets mites on it, you would be required to bathe them immediately otherwise the whole water will be contaminated as well as other crabs in them. You won’t get rid off mites in first wash. You would require washing hermit crab several times to eliminate mites forever. Mites have the tendency to lurk inside the shell of the hermit-crab. Because of this reason, several washing is required to lodge them permanently from the spot. When you are done with your hermit-crab, wash your aquarium thoroughly as mites would have infected the water as well. Eliminate all the substrate with new ones is the most effective way of eliminating mites. If you cannot afford replacing substrates with new ones, then at least boil them and sterilize which will effectively kill mites.
- A big reason to clean your aquarium regularly is the possibility of hidden toxins in your hermit crab aquarium. You need to ensure that the aquarium in which your hermit crab is living does not get intoxicate, the substrates you provide to your hermit crab shouldn’t have ingredients of chemical in it as it can harm your pet severely.
- In molting process the exoskeleton of hermit-crabs is shredded and regenerated. Hermit crabs have the tendency to re-grow any missing part of their body. In this process exoskeleton emits toxic waste which contaminates water. After the molting process, it is necessary to clean hermit-crab shell by de-chlorinated water and wash the aquarium thoroughly.
- By providing several shells of various sizes to the hermit-crab to choose according to their need, there is a probability of shell getting rot. By keeping rotten shells in the aquarium for few days might harm your pet to greater extent. Take out the rotten shell and clean your aquarium appropriately.
These are an effective way of how to clean a hermit-crabs aquarium. The habitat is the most important thing for hermit-crab as well as for any pet. Proper cleaning will ensure that they live comfortably in captivity.
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This article was written by Preston Blackmore from Hermit Crab Club.
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