How to Know When It’s Time To Clean Your Hermit Crab Tank

Every responsible hermit crab owner knows that he or she should clean their hermit crab tank. The only part that gets confusing is a matter of how and when. I had this question as well, so I did some research.

So, how often should you clean your hermit crab tank? A hermit crab tank should be spot cleaned (remove any uneaten food, feces, etc.) 2 to 3 times a week. In addition, the tank should be more thoroughly cleaned every 3 to 6 months.

Let’s look into how scheduled cleanings can keep your tank clean, and keep an eye out for signs that it’s time to clean your hermit crab tank.

How often should you spot clean your tank?

As mentioned before, 2 to 3 times a week is a healthy amount of times to clean your hermit crab tank.

This number may vary depending on how many hermit crabs you have, and the size of your tank. If you have a large tank and a few hermit crabs, you can get away with spot cleaning at least once a week.

On the other hand, if you have a lot of hermit crabs and a smaller tank you should try to spot clean at least once every other day. A lot of hermit crabs can be messy and clumsy, spilling food and doing their business wherever they please.

This can lead to an unhealthy environment full of unhappy crabs. So, be sure to keep your tank clean and tidy.

I can’t give you an exact number because I don’t know your hermit crab tank.

You need to keep an eye on your little crab pets. Are they clumsy? Are they prone to spilling their water bowls? Do they do their business wherever they feel like it?

My hermit crabs are a bit particular. They tend to leave their feces around their water bowls but never inside. They actually keep their bowls quite clean, which doesn’t require me to change them as often. They also keep their food in one spot instead of making a huge mess.

Every hermit crab is unique. Take note of your crab’s habits and adjust your cleaning schedule as needed. Some crabs need more attention and others simply do not. As long as you keep your tank clean and comfortable, your hermit crabs will do just fine.

Try scheduling tank cleanings

A great way to keep your hermit crab tank clean and healthy is to schedule and keep track of all its cleanings.

Leaving a calendar nearby your hermit crab enclosure can be an effective way to stay organized. Write down whenever you spot clean or more thoroughly clean your hermit crab tank to stay organized and plan your next cleanings.

This is also a great way to stay on top of your crab’s molting schedule. They do so every 3 months, which you’ll have to account for when cleaning your tank. More on that later.

5 signs that your tank needs a deep cleaning

A deep tank cleaning can be stressful for your hermit crabs and should be done sparingly, on average every 3-6 months. In most cases, this depends on how effectively you spot clean your tank.

Deep cleaning your tank includes replacing all of its substrate, thoroughly rinsing and scrubbing the tank’s walls and bottom, and dipping each decoration in boiling water for around 30 seconds to one minute.

1) Mites

Even the cleanest hermit crab tanks run into mites, gnats, or other parasites. If left untreated, these parasites can stress your hermit crab and make its environment unsuitable to live in.

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.

2) Mold or bacteria growth

A clear sign that your hermit crab tank needs a deep cleaning is any mold or bacteria growth. This is usually due to neglected bits of uneaten food or hermit crab feces that you missed when spot cleaning. No worries! They’re easy to overlook, especially in a larger tank.

The first bits you see growing on the substrate can easily be scooped up and thrown away. This is just another bonus of having at least 4 inches of substrate in your tank.

3) Foul Odors

Any foul odor coming from your tank is a clear sign that it needs to be cleaned. This can be a side product from one or a combination of any of the other 4 factors on this list.

Deep cleaning should remove any odor from your tank without an issue.

There is an off chance that a foul smell could mean one of your hermit crabs has deceased. It’s a dead fish smell that you just can’t miss.

4) Grime buildup on walls of the tank

Grime buildup is another common sign that your hermit crab tank needs cleaning. You’ll see this on the walls of your hermit crab tank, especially if you’ve done a great job at keeping it humid.

Two ways to take care of this are: 1) cleaning the tank with vinegar or 2) cleaning the tank with a 3% bleach solution.

Make sure that you do your research before doing both of these options. Vinegar and bleach leave a strong odor and residue which can be harmful to your hermit crabs. You will have to rinse out your crab’s environment thoroughly, or until you cannot smell either.

5) Your hermit crabs just molted

Your hermit crab enclosure may be very clean, but choosing to do a deep cleaning 2 weeks or so after your hermit crab has molted may be the best idea.

Let’s further dive into the subject.

Wait! Are your crabs molting?

Hermit crabs have their own agenda when it comes to molting. This usually occurs twice a year, depending on the size and health of your hermit crab.

A hermit crab molting can easily get in the way of cleaning your tank. Once they burrow underground, moving them can easily kill them. It’s important to clean out your hermit crab tank when both crabs are active and healthy.

You can scrub the sides of your tank and spot clean as much as possible to keep your tank sanitary until your crabs finish molting. When they do finish, wait a week or two for their shells to harden. A freshly-molted hermit crab’s shell is soft and very fragile. Moving them to clean your tank can be risky.