10 Gallon Hermit Crab Tank Ideas
10 gallon hermit crab tanks are a popular choice when starting with 2-3 very small hermit crab pets. To keep your hermit crabs happy and healthy, there are 8 essential elements you’ll need. Plus you’ll want to do some decorating!
What are the 8 things you need? How much do they cost? What will fit? How to set it up? We’ve got ALL the answers!
Coming up:
By Fred (and Chris) | Updated 04/19/26
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Three important notes:
1. Hermit crabs are social, they aren’t happy alone. It’s best to start out with 2 very small hermit crabs (not one, not more than two) when starting with a 10 gallon hermit crab tank OR more in a larger tank or terrarium. More info on this below.
2. Hermit crabs will outgrow a 10 gallon tank usually within 9-12 months (depending on the size of your hermies when you get them). A 10 gallon aquarium is temporary until you can get a larger terrarium or glass enclosure for them.
Hermit crabs need room to explore and climb, they are inquisitive and active little creatures that need space. And, they need deep enough bottom substrate to burrow for molting, securely away from other hermit crabs.
3. Know what type of hermit crabs you have! There are different types (species) of hermit crabs, and each have different needs. Because of this, it’s best to keep only one type of hermit crabs rather than mixing species. Not sure which type? Caribbean Purple Pincher hermit crabs are the most common species within the U.S. Here’s more on different types of hermit crabs with photos here.
10 Gallon Tank Dimensions
Standard dimensions: 20" x 10" x 12"
20 gallon tank standard dimensions: 24″ x 12″ x 16″
10 gallon tank standard dimensions: 20″ x 10″ x 12″
Most glass tank/aquarium manufacturers use the same dimensions for 10 gallon hermit crab tanks. This means that tops and stands, even when made by other manufacturers, will most likely fit your 10 gallon tank just fine.
You don’t need a stand, but you DO need a top! Hermit crabs are escape artists and WILL climb out! Screen tops usually work best because they provide for good ventilation. But there are other types of tops that also work well.
For this 10 gallon hermit crab habitat project, its sitting on a black filing cabinet furniture piece in a home office. We’re going to add some lighting and it’s gonna look very cool… a fun addition to a home office space!
Many of the stands that fit 10 gallon will also fit 20 gallon tanks. Why not invest in a 20 gallon tank to begin with, for your hermit crabs… if you have the money?!! Your hermit crabs will likely live a long, happy life… especially when you give them more space! MAKE SURE TO MEASURE CAREFULLY BETWEEN YOUR TANK, THE TOP/HOOD AND ANY STAND YOU PLAN TO BUY!
The 8 Elements You Need
- Sand substrate for bottom (pictured: Fluker’s Hermit Beach)
- Water bowl for fresh water
- Water bowl for saltwater
- Climbing (natural cholla/choya wood pieces for climbing)
- Hiding
- Dish or bowl for food
- Extra shells (pictured: turbo shells in various sizes)
- Thermometer and Hygrometer (pictured: Fluker’s All in One Gauge)
Planning your setup
How can you make your 10 gallon tank into the best space possible for your hermies?
Think of it like a puzzle… there are a few challenges when trying to fit all 8 essential elements into a 10 gallon tank. It CAN work, but think of it like a puzzle where you need to find the best solutions.
Two biggest challenges?
1. Surface space: must leave plenty of surface space (keep clutter to a minimum) and substrate for your hermies to dig into and molt (essential, natural process for growth)
2. Water bowls: choosing the best size water bowls can be challenging. Too big and they’ll take up too much surface space… too small and your hermies won’t be able to submerge/bathe as needed. Tip: consider “corner” bowls… best use of space especially needed in a 10 gallon enclosure!
Substrate First
Sand and coconut-fiber is a great substrate for the bottom of the habitat. Here’s more information on Hermit Crab Sand and Substrate or here’s the exact product we use (seen in our crabitat photos) Fluker’s Hermit Beach Sand Substrate (a mix of sand and coconut fiber) .
Substrate needs to be deep, generally a minimum of 4″ for very small hermit crabs and 6-9″ deep for larger.
Hermit crabs, when molting, need to be able to securely dig themselves away from other hermit crabs. This is the most vulnerable part of their life cycles. Here’s more on hermit crab molting.
Water Bowls
Plan ahead on which two water bowls you want to use. Space is so limited in 10 gallon tanks, this takes a little strategy.
Your hermit crabs need to submerge at least 3/4 of their shell, so make sure to check for depth. They store water inside their shell! Here’s my blog with more info on hermit crab water, here.
Here’s my recent article with photos on testing lots of different water bowls for small hermit crab habitats, with ideas and prices and an easy DIY ramp project included: Hermit Crab Water Dish Options for Smaller Crabitats.
Climbing and Hiding
Climbing and hiding: next largest elements are for climbing and hiding. Measure and find the best size and shape for your habitat and theme.
Here’s more on adding fun and stimulation to your habitat, here.
Climbing elements can include driftwood, cholla wood, coral etc.. Just make sure it sits very secure… your hermit crabs will climb over every inch and it could fall over.
Hiding spaces can include coconut hideaway huts, or simply create a dark corner shelter with an entrance made with your climbing elements.
There are plenty of creative ways to create hiding spots, especially in corners. Use the corners!
Food Dish
Food dish: to save space, food can be placed on a small shell, small dish, plastic bottle cap, on a flat surface. In this (below) crabitat, a 1/2 oyster shell is used as a food dish.
Note: even though the 10 gallon tank is small, there IS some vertical space you can use. If you’re crafty, go UP! Add a 2nd level. How? Looking for ideas? Keep reading!
Extra Shells
Extra shells: provide a minimum of 2-3 extra shells per hermit crab. For more information on sizing hermit crab shells, best places to find them, best types of shells for your hermit crabs and more… see my post Hermit Crab Shells.
Humidity and Temperature
Hermit crabs have moist bodies and gills that need moisture at all times. This means aside from water bowls, they need some humidity in their habitat.
It’s important to know which type of hermit crabs you have, because different types have different needs. Some need very high levels of humidity at all times.
The Caribbean Purple Pincher hermit crab (most common type in the U.S.) is the most tolerant to less humidity.
Hermit crabs require a tropical or sub-tropical temperature. How do you know if your habitat is at the right parameters?
Use a thermometer/hygrometer and look to the weather temps and humidity levels of Key Largo as an easy way to make sure you’re within healthy parameters.
Tip: use a small square of double-sided removable Gorilla tape to adhere a hermit crab gauge to the back panel of glass in your habitat so it’s easy to check.
Here’s more on humidity and temperature levels for your hermit crabs in my post Hermit Crab Pets Need Heat, here.
A Few More Ideas
Once you have all the required elements… it’s time to add some extra fun! Add decorations, landscaping, more natural elements like moss, plants, and more hiding and climbing opportunities to make your hermit crabs happy.
In this 10 gallon hermit crab tank, we’re adding a moss cave, more climbing branches and a fun wooden “Hermit Hangout”! As soon as it’s done I’ll add the finished photos here plus the final steps to make sure it’s safe and destruction-proof : )
Looking for more fun ideas? Check out my post on adding landscaping and decor!
Add Fun to Your Crabitat!
