Vinegar Question

[Asheka]

So, from what I've read, vinegar is safe food wise and is also the best for tank cleaning etc. I'm wondering, as I emptied out the last bit of a 4L jug while washing the tanks today, if I do a few hot water rinses would the jug be safe/okay to use for mixing up SW? I don't know how much actual vinegar leeches into the plastic, or how much of the odor would transfer.

[Asheka]

Any ideas?

[YYWW]

I think vinegar evaporates naturally. Just wash it in super hot water, which warms the jug, then let it sit empty and open for a day. That should be good to go.


Crabbers unite!!!

[Asheka]

Thanks!

[meg_and_the_zoo]

Another vinegar question...is apple cider vinegar safe for crabs? I've got a few fruit flies and was thinking of putting a little bit of that in the tank to kill them off but I'm sure the crabs will find a way to it lol


Zoo mom of 3 cats, a dog, a fish and 3 crabs

[Kleinerhejhog]

Somewhere there's a post about putting apple cider vinegar in a bottle in the crabitat, but i can't find it. :/

[meg_and_the_zoo]

I'll keep looking...just thought someone might know off the top of their head


Zoo mom of 3 cats, a dog, a fish and 3 crabs

[CallaLily]

The fruit fly traps I've always read about and used also had a drop or two of dish soap in them. The vinegar draws them in and the soap is what traps them. At least, that's my understanding. Definitely don't want soap in the Crabitat, so after I've removed fresh foods from the tank I put the vinegar traps on top of the lid or nearby. It draws them out of the tank and into the traps.

But to answer your question, I don't think vinegar (alone) is harmful to the crabs if they ate some. I would worry about them dumping it in the sub. Don't know if that would be an issue but sounds like a stinky mess to me. I remember "vinegar with mother" is mentioned in the "other" group on Kili's nutrition guide. Though I can't remember what benefit it was thought they'd get from it. I've never offered it to mine.

[CallaLily]

I remember "vinegar with mother" is mentioned in the "other" group on Kili's nutrition guide. Though I can't remember what benefit it was thought they'd get from it.

Ok, I only have fuzzy memories of it being mentioned a few times when I first joined so I did a search to try to refresh my memory. It seems at some point, vinegar with mother was thought to help PPS or sick crabs - why exactly, I'm still not clear on. I know it's thought to have health benefits in people and I think some other animals. But in any case the idea of it benefiting hermit crabs has since fallen aside. I still don't think it would be harmful if they ate any, but I'm not sure there'd be any actual benefit for the crabs. Not that that's why you were wondering, just trying to follow through with what I said earlier. I'm also thinking it wasn't intended to give to the crabs in big dishes, but instead maybe drizzled across other foods. I'd be surprised if they actually ate it.

[soilentgringa]

We had really bad fruit flies a couple of years ago and we took glass soda bottles from Jarritos, etc. and poured a little bit of apple cider vinegar in the bottom. We made little cones of paper and set them in neck of the bottle. We taped outside the neck and cone to hold it in place. The fruit flies would fly in but not be able to get out. We even did an experiment for my son and put pieces of fruit or shots of smoothies in a couple. They would be full of dozens within a couple of days.

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[meg_and_the_zoo]

that's sort of the idea I've seen with the traps they sell at Walmart and such...the ones I've seen always look like a little apple with the top kinda dented in so that they fly/crawl in but then once wet can only crawl up the sides and...nope! Lol

I suppose something right outside would be just as good? The flies are tiny enough to go through the mesh top thanks!


Zoo mom of 3 cats, a dog, a fish and 3 crabs