Video of my Crabitat on YouTube!

anniehorsekrab · Post by **anniehorsekrab** » 25 Jun 2009, 11:35

Wai: [ Link to "old crabitat" video removed ]

ladybug15057 · Post by **ladybug15057** » 25 Jun 2009, 12:18

I watched it and not too bad, but... I did not see your humidity gauge or thermometer?
Is there any way you can get something larger for their ocean/sea water source and when it is time to buy more ocean/sea salt that you purchase one that is sold specifically for salt water fish tanks? (they do need this to remain healthy)
Would you happen to have any cardboard that you can cut and wrap with plastic to help hold humidity in the tank? (cardboard would need wrapped to help with humidity plus majority of all cardboards have been treated for rats)
The package of dechlorinator you showed is by ZooMed. ZooMed dechlor does not remove heavy metals that are harmful to hermies.

Chermo · Post by **Chermo** » 25 Jun 2009, 12:21

Very nice, just a thought though, the crabs need a bigger fresh water dish and salt water dish as they need to be able to fully submerge into them to flush out their old shell water with new shell water. What size tank do you have? How many crabs do you have? Also they need a declorinator that is not for hermit crabs most of all stuff that says hermit crab on it is harmful to them. I use the API declorniator which will last so long probably more than a year since you only use 1 drop per gallon and it is less than $3 and the Oceanic salt water which lasts a long time and is only $4 per bag and you can make 5 gallons with it. Otherwise nice set up.

CrabbyJo · Post by **CrabbyJo** » 25 Jun 2009, 17:18

Looks like a great start, Annie!

You're really learning how to take care of your crabs, good job.

Hopefully you can get a few more shells for them to choose from. I boil mine out about once a week, and all my crabs think they are new, the way they roll them around! Sometimes they even change.

The other ladies are right, your crabs could use a deeper ocean salt water dish. The fresh water dish is just like one I have!
Don't worry about a sponge, that's only for if your crabs are small enough that they could fall into a dish and drown if they can't get out. The shell you have right now is definitely not deep enough for that!
Sponges also harbor bacteria, so it's not really needed. You'd have to sterilize it every couple of days, so if you keep using it in your fresh water dish, make sure you're cleaning it regularly.

I like to use a few glass pebbles (like the kind they use in floral vases) to help the smaller crabs get out of the water dish.

That conch shell is so cool! Isn't it fun to see your crabs crawl in there? I had a shell large enough for a couple of my crabs to crawl into, and I found they were emptying their poop in there hehe.

Your crabs might like a few fake plants too, I know mine seem to love climbing up in my fake plants. Funny thing is the ones they climb in the most are the ones I got at a thrift store, so they were the cheap ones!

You've done pretty well with a small tank like that. Maybe you can get lucky and find a 10 gallon at a garage sale this summer and upgrade your crab's home!

The dechlorinator I use for my crabs, which DOES remove heavy metals (there is copper in most tap water, especially if the house is a little older), is called Aqua Safe, and comes in a yellow bottle. I got it at Walmart, and use just a couple drops in a gallon and let it sit overnight before I use it so it has time to work right in the water.

You do sound like you have done a lot of reading about hermit crabs, good for you! Do try to see if you can maybe order some mixes online for your crabs to eat that do not have preservatives in them to replace the commercial foods you have. It will be much easier than trying to make up your own, since they need such a huge variety of food. I have several mixes that I rotate and serve them along with fresh fruits, veggies, and some unseasoned meats I've cooked for them and put in the freezer.

You should have known we'd tell you everything we think you might need to work on! But you're doing great, really. Sounds like you really care about your crabs and are trying to do the best you can for them.

I know I've said a lot, hope it's not too much! You may want to go back and read again what we've all responded so you can make sure you've not missed anything.

You're making a good hermie mommy!

anniehorsekrab · Post by **anniehorsekrab** » 26 Jun 2009, 10:32

Hey, thanks everyone! I love all your advice, so keep packing it on! I know the commercial diet isn't the best, but that's what the starter kit came with.

So anyway, I DID happen to go out and buy another spare shell today, so now they will have more options. Also, I moved the shells around and rearranged everything except the conch shell. My tank is getting better! I'll upload a picture to you guys soon. Happy crabbing, and thanks once again for the compliments and great advice.

anniehorsekrab · Post by **anniehorsekrab** » 30 Jun 2009, 00:59

HEY EVERYONE!! URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT!!

This is my OLD crabitat. I posted a vid of my AWESOME newer improved one, which you can find in the Crabitat design section. Thanks, and happy crabbing!

anniehorsekrab · Post by **anniehorsekrab** » 30 Jun 2009, 01:13

Here is the new UPDATED vid of my even VERY awesome new crabitat design on YouTube. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLOHHPX_rZA

CrabbyJo · Post by **CrabbyJo** » 30 Jun 2009, 04:00

Hey Annie! You've been upgrading! your crabs must like it so much better now.

I did post a comment, but it's under the name Gwenhaven. That's me!

Seriously, the sponge really isn't the crab's preferred way of drinking - there certainly aren't sponges lying around in nature for them to drink from! I think that's just the pet store's way of getting you to buy sponges you don't need, honestly.
BUT if your humidity doesn't stay up where it needs to be, a sponge works well (except you have to sterilize it every couple days. ugh). Moss works great too, just keep it moist.

I didn't see a humidity gauge in your tank? You should really see about picking one up, it's pretty important.

All in all, nice job!

anniehorsekrab · Post by **anniehorsekrab** » 30 Jun 2009, 06:52

Thanks! Yes, I certainly HAVE been upgrading! And I didn't know that thing with the sponge... Stupid pet stores! Waste of money. Oh well. Thanks for the comments! Also, thanks for the humidity gauge advice!

ladybug15057 · Post by **ladybug15057** » 30 Jun 2009, 10:29

anniehorsekrab, what and why have you done what you've done?? The subject of this post was "Video of my Crabitat on YouTube!" You had a couple replies to it, then to edit the beginning post removing the link we all replied to, as well as changing the subject title and turning it into something non related to what this topic was about???

"Hermit crab nicknames!

Post by anniehorsekrab on June 24th, 2009, 9:35 pm
What are some nicknames your hermies have? Post them here!"

To now your post above mine reading:

by anniehorsekrab on June 29th, 2009, 10:59 am
"HEY EVERYONE!! URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT!!

This is my OLD crabitat. I posted a vid of my AWESOME newer improved one, which you can find in the Crabitat design section. Thanks, and happy crabbing!"

It does take time to reply to posts, and some do reply in detail in attempts to be of more help... just to have (excuse me) it BLOWN off like this??

Edited to add,
and the first post at the bottom of yours does say "Last edited by anniehorsekrab on June 29th, 2009, 11:15 am, edited 2 times in total."

Edited to add, both posts have been merged. My post was done originally after the red posting of the major announcement