My First Crabitat: An Illustrated Adventure

[ROSIEonFIRE]

So about a month ago i got a case of the crabs and started feeling that hermie itch After spending hours online researching care requirements I decided to take the plunge! I'm currently setting up my crabitat and thought i would document the process here.

At this point I have the tank, a bag of Bed-A-Beast, a bag of playsand, all the necessaries like a heating pad, lamp, various temp/humidity gauges and a FEW of the more secondary tank accoutrements.

I picked up the tank yesterday. Its 44 gallons which was quite a bit bigger than what i was looking for but i got it for only 30$ and I figured, hey, plenty of room to grow, right?

Just got it into its spot today. Its a tad bit bigger than I had really anticipated LOL. I hope my boyfriend doesnt have a stroke when he sees it!!!

I'll probably fill in the substrate tonight but here is the tank in all of it's HUMONGOUS glory. Wish me luck everyone :O

[Happyhermiehome]

oooOOOooo I love that stump!

[NLindsey921]

So scrolling through tapatalk I saw the pic and thought it was sitting on the floor. I was so jealous. Then I read the post. Still jealous but now laughing at myself.

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[GotButterflies]

Awesome! Congratulations Can't wait to see it set up!

[ROSIEonFIRE]

So scrolling through tapatalk I saw the pic and thought it was sitting on the floor. I was so jealous. Then I read the post. Still jealous but now laughing at myself.

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Haha yeah to clarify this thing is sitting on my kitchen counter. Its 20x28x18.

Heres an update after the sand and what turned out to actually be ecoearth went in. Juuuuust made 6" of substrate. Im gonna build at least one platform and i also bought a roll of all natural burlap to hang off of things as netting. For anyone wondering that thing in the back left is a very DIY hermie wheel i made with a plastic cup and a suction cup. Sorry about pic quality, i know its hard to see what with all the stuff in my kitchen and the glare.

Still a TON to be done: gonna put up a forest background on the back wall, gotta mount the heating pad, ill probably need bigger pools, need to get a lid and im thinking about putting in some live plants... but its definitely on the way.

does anyone know if i can mount my uth behind the plastic forest tank backgrounds? Also, what kind of tape should i use?

BTW, when my BF got home and saw the tank he just laughed and told me if it makes me happy its fine with him

[ROSIEonFIRE]

oooOOOooo I love that stump!

Isnt it great? Its hollow on the inside and has a hole in the bottom plus an open top. It came included with that other log and the tank, all of which i got for 30$ on letgo (which is how i ended up with a 44 gal when i set out for a 20). The one problem is, it has a smell. Weirdly, it smells sweet. I washed it, dried it, it still has the smell.... but i tried really hard to scratch it and i couldn't make a dent in it so for now its staying.

[daws409]

Congrats on the upgrade! Looks good so far. One suggestion tho... Make your substrate deeper. 6 inches can settle to 4 over time. I think it's best to start with 10 or 12 inches then you don't have to worry about topping it off with crabs under BUT that's me!

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[ROSIEonFIRE]

Thanks for the encouraging words! Yeah i think i begrudgingky came to the same conclusion myself. I just wish i could find a smaller bag of play sand, the only bag home depot had was so heavy getting it home was totally traumatizing! Oh well lol

[Happyhermiehome]

"BTW, when my BF got home and saw the tank he just laughed and told me if it makes me happy its fine with him "













Ohhh he's a keeper!

[mjjluver]

Seriously! Wish my husband and mom were more supportive like that! I rescued a crab yesterday from a person who found him in a kritter keeper on the street. When i told them, they were against it - my mom was concerned it would give diseases to my kids and my husband was concerned it'd give diseases to my existing crabs. Poor homeless crab, but don't worry, I kept him.

[Happyhermiehome]

awwww...I'm glad u saved him anyways! Maybe the crabbies will grow on him eventually?
My hubby is really supportive even though the crabs creep him out. He says they look like spiders in a shell but he knows they make me and the kids happy and will do most any crab related thing for me ...I think his family thinks I'm off my freakin rocker though but I don't give a hoot

[ROSIEonFIRE]

Haha yeah my BF is a good one. We did however have a frosty couple of months when we were busy arguing about whether or not i was gonna get a ball python but hes fairly easy going for the most part

[Sylah]

Love your tank! I can tell that you are going to take care your babies!!! Love the stump too! Can't wait to see more!


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[Happyhermiehome]

I'd love to see a better shot of your homemade crabbie wheel!

[ROSIEonFIRE]

*update*
So i went with @daws409 s advice and doubled up on the substrate. Really glad i did since that a. Raises the floor so i dont have to bend over so far and b. Gives alot more digging depth. Were at a solid 9/10 inches now. I am however a bit concerned with the lack of floorspace. Floor is 20×18 btw . Im kinda starting to wish id gone with a longer tank but im hoping that having extra deep substrate will ameliorate the issue. I am uploading a top down view and and front view and also a pic of a shelf i made that will go all along the right hand wall.

What do you all think about making the food dish elevated? That might help save me some floor space.

Now really the only things left to do are: install shelf; install ramps/nets; install therms/hydroms; and lastly installing the UTH which i am literally dreading. Oh, and to get some hermit crabs of course! Haha.

@happyhermiehome i also attached a couple pics of the DIY herm wheel. If i decide to use it i will attach some plastic mesh to the inside but this project is low priority atm. Its literally a little plastic take out cup with a hole in it and a suction cup thru the middle

Sorry about glare in pics. Also, can i mount my uth behind the plastic background pic i got for the tank?

Ps why the heck does taptalk always change ur pics from portrait to horizon??? Annnoyyying