I have had this crabitat set up for around 2 years now with little alteration. I started 6 years ago with 1 crab in a 2.5 gallon from someone who couldn’t care for it (which is now my saltwater pool
). What you are looking at now is a 50 gallon with 6 crabs. Over that time I have made a few small modifications, and now am ready to give some pros, cons, and take always from features in this tank. Hopefully giving someone going through the design process some helpful food for thought. ________________________________________
Second level:
Pros:
-Having the eating area separated from the ground has been easier to keep food out of the substrate and prevent mites.
-The moss hangout on the second floor allows for easy removal of crabs (mean ones particularly) when needed.
-The moss pit includes dry sphagnum moss (notice they don’t like damp), dry leaves (which they eat like crazy), and millet (the kind for birds). The crabs love to nest in here and have a constant snack source that won’t go bad.
Cons:
-It is much harder for small crabs to get up to this level and also out of these dishes. (1.5” deep)
-Middle section initially had nothing and the crabs avoided it at all costs. Adding a shallow water dish here encouraged a post meal bath.
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The pools:
Pros:
-My crabs do use them. Either basking on the side, half submerged on driftwood, or full on swimming. Every crab has tried it all.
-Using wood submerged in both the salt and fresh water gives a good bridge between, and a good grappling spot for the more hesitant.
-It is so enjoying to watch a crab go down and release the bubbles from their shell.
-Using an air stone or sponge filter increases the crabs use of the pool.
-Add pothos cutting to the freshwater tank to add some green. Crabs also use the roots to grab onto underwater.
-Crabs appear to like older/dirtier water because it’s bacterially cycled like an aquarium. This means less cleaning!
Cons:
-Don’t get discouraged! It takes a few months for the crabs to really get comfortable with these new deep pools. Guessing because they became accustomed to shallow dishes. It’s like watching them relearn how to ride a bike.
-Started with the grate things that are very well regarded. Only one crab was ever brave enough to use it. It took up so much of the space in the water. I opted for fake plastic plants in sheets. (Aquarium plants used for fry rearing). I just used wood/objects to pin them to the side. This gave way more space in the water and the crabs saw it as more familiar. More crabs used after the switch. Added wood to add an extra route out.
****Deep water pools seem to be the new trend in the crabbing world, and for good reason. It gets closer to the crabs natural environment. It allows the crabs to fully submerge and fill their shells with water. >>That being said there needs to be some new ideas as for making a cheap and easy solution for the crabs to get in and out of the pools, regardless of size. The shape of a painters tray would be ideal, but that takes up lots of space and isn’t as deep. The fake plants work, the grates work, but both have their flaws. Still scared a crab might drown.
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Hiding places and climbs:
Pros:
-The wood gives a very natural aesthetic to the tank, provides hiding places, and a way to get to the second floor.
-Underneath the second level is one of the crabs favorite dark spaces.
-Cork-board (found in reptile section) gives a great climbing surface for very little floor space. Used magnets to secure to tank. Also have just wedged behind things.
-Flowerpots add a simple hide with many sizes.
Cons:
-This layout does not have enough hiding places. The crabs often shy away to the corner.
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50 gallon tank:
Pros:
-36x18x19 gives a bigger foot print than the comparable 55 gallons.
-Good to have the bigger foot print when trying to include in ground pools.
-Good enough width to give my larger crabs comfortable roaming room.
-Substrate is 8.5 inches deep. In my experience this has been plenty deep enough for even my largest crab.
-This was a tipping point in tank sizes. After slowly leveling up from a 2.5g; this felt like the first tank I could try whatever I wanted.
Cons
-The height above sub for the tank is about 10-12 inches. For my large crabs this isn’t and ideal amount of vertical space. (Opt for the 55 for more climbing room).
-Glass tops were extremely expensive for this size. Went with a screen top which is harder to keep proper humidity, but not impossible. (On the plus side this adds extra climbing room for the crabs)
*When buying a new tank I always hold out for the $1 a gallon sale at Petco. The largest size you can get is a 55. The normal price is 3x that.
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Upcoming changes:
-Adding more cholla wood for climbing. Will also be adding cholla wood to pools to see if it’s easier for the crabs.
-Adding another hide that is fully dark (more hut like)
-More cork board in the background to make another route from side to side of the tank.
-In the distant future: taller tank or tank add on for more vertical room.
