Surprise move!

[Juniperblossom]

My family and I were just informed that we will be moving in June! My husband's job had offered him a great position and it would be huge for us! We are so excited, this means big things for us and we honestly couldn't be happier (plus there's an awesome reptile store in this town and I can't wait to check it out haha). My only issue is I JUST set up my 50 gallon like less than a month ago! We live in a 3rd floor walk up and I'm not sure how to even get this giant, heavy thing downstairs. Could I just move my crabs in it? Should I take them out? We have to drive about 3 hours, is there a way to keep the tank warm? I have a 10 gallon I could use for the trip but what would I do if someone was down molting? Would hitting bumps in the road cause problems? I'm sorry for all the questions but I love my crab babies so much! I don't want to harm them. I'm attaching a photo of my tank so you have an idea. Thank you all!





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[pandaincognito]

What is the weather like in your area? How many crabs are there? I know they sell these pouches at WalMart and target that get cold if you shake them. Maybe they make ones for heat as well ^^ you could also wrap some warm towels around them bit thay would only buy you probably half an hour for heat.

[Juniperblossom]

In June it should be nice, toasty, and humid, but we can have some crazy weather. I have 3 medium/small crabs and 1 medium/large crab. I'll check out some big warm packs. That's a great idea! Thank you!


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[DragonsFly]

With that much substrate, if it is warm all through to begin with, I don't think three hours will make much difference. I would wrap it, yes, but that much warm substrate will hold heat pretty well.

What I don't know if it would be safe to move the tank with that much weight in it. If you "torque" the glass in any way with that kind of weight in it, it might crack or break and present a danger not only to the crabs, but to the people trying to move it. Sorry to say, but taking out the crabs and putting them in smaller container(s), then taking out the substrate and put it in buckets for moving; setting up the tank again at your destination--that's probably the safest way to go.

When we moved the 90g here from the previous home, the lady had already taken out all the crabs on the surface and put them into a smaller plastic storage container with some damp substrate in it. She had removed everything but the last four or five inches of substrate--which was all EE, which is lighter than sand--from the 90g. We were able to move it like that without damaging the tank. I know there was at least one crab down molting at the time, because I counted carefully when we put the crabs back into the tank once we got it back home, and then I ended up sending MORE than that number out to Kip in New Mexico, so at least one crab was down molting AND survived that move. So maybe that's a compromise for you--take out all but the last four or five inches, and when you add the substrate back in at your destination, just take care to put it in as gently as you can, avoiding sudden heavy dumps.

Best wishes on the new job and home!

[soilentgringa]

My best advice for moving with crabs (in large quantities or habitats) is this:

Go to Wal*Mart (or wherever) and get some plastic Rubbermaid or Sterlite (whatever brand is cheaper honestly) totes. I use a clear one for the crabs just so I could see them. They're about 30 gallons or so.

Prep some Eco Earth or a large amount of moss to put the crabs in while they're being transported. Take all the crabs out of the tank that are on the surface.

Take out all decor, shake it off, and place that into a separate bin. If you feel the need to wash or bake anything, do it before packing. Same with shells.

Starting from one end of the tank, very carefully dig up the substrate by using your hands (I wear rubber gloves because the sand KILLS your nails and skin) and start filling up totes. You don't want to fill them to a point where you cannot lift them comfortably.

When I dig, I start at one spot and go down vertically until I hit the bottom. If I accidentally run into a cave, it usually just opens the side of the cave, and it doesn't collapse on the crab inside. Have a couple of ISO's ready just in case you come across a molter.

Just keep filling the bins until all your substrate is out and packed up. One benefit of this is that your sub is being aerated and you can return it to the tank no problem.

If it's just a three hour drive, everything should be fine. You could have someone hold the tote of crabs during the drive.

[DragonsFly]

soilentgringa, what do you recommend doing for any molters you encounter? In other words, how would you set up a "traveling iso"?

[soilentgringa]

soilentgringa, what do you recommend doing for any molters you encounter? In other words, how would you set up a "traveling iso"?

I have a gross of kritter keepers from adoptions. I just put some substrate in them or damp moss and wrap the lid in saran wrap to keep humidity in. They can either go in the larger tote with the other crabs (placing the tupperware or carrier or whatever you have the crab ISO'd in for travel) or someone can hold it during the drive. As long as it's over 70° in the car, the crabs should be fine. The containers could always be wrapped with towels or a blanket to keep them a little warmer if people like it cooler in their cars while driving.

[DragonsFly]

And then I'm assuming they would afterwards need to stay in these new (or yet another kind of) iso quarters until their molt is complete and they are strong enough to join back in with the others?