Okay what do you think and what am i missing

[angelbear]

So my center will not let me get a bigger tank for our classroom. My plan is, when they get bigger, which from what I am, lead to believe is 2-5 years from now, I will retire them to a full sized tank at my house to live out their lives stress free and happy and or adopt them out to intrested parents/kids with a proper guide and advice to spread the correct method of hermit care.Then proceed to get new smaller crabs and repeate the process. So hopefully I can provide the best of both worlds while making the best of a bad sitution. I did not choose the pet (I personally wanted a fish), and equipment given I have been researching, updating and trying to make the best of it. And in the end learning how intresting thes guy's are (so glad we didn't get a fish love these guys more everyday. So please try not to be critical,but advice and opinions are welcome.

I have:

-3 hermit crabs that are in there store bought painted shells as they have not yet swithed. Going by shell size the smallest is about a dime, and the other two are quarter sized so I assume that puts them between tiny and a small scale ranged.
-1 5g tank with screen lid (working on replacing it probably next paycheck,for now it is covered in saranwrap.
-3" mixture of ecoearth, and hermit sand. I am going to add at least 2" of play sand to bring it to a total of 5". If I have enough total to switch it completely I plan on it. Working with what Ihave and what I was given.
-1 zoomed UTH I just bougt and will install on monday when I get back to work
-1 thermometer - installed on monday
-1 hydrometer - installed on monday
-3 dishes one for fresh, 1 for salt, and one for food. The recive a few pelets along with whatever their fresh food is for that day every day.
-1 hand-made hut from a plastic bowl
-1 good sized oak branch that was boiled for safty sake in salt water cooled the dried out before placing in the tank



Due to the heater, for safty reasons the tank is located out of child's reach which is what also restricts the size and weight, every evening the tank is taken from its shelf...after the heater is cooled and we talk about them, and they help me do maintence as best as a class of preschoolers can anyways. Its to help sponser responsability as well as a unique learning tool. Mostly the dump the dishes wash/dry them then help me refill them. Decor will change as I get parent donations or funds, thinking of making a climbing wall or a small upper level.

What do you think. By the time they get bigger, towards medium sized they will go in a larger tank as stated at my house and by then I should have the funds made up to house them properly, I already have the perfect space.

[angelbear]

I forgot to add that on holidays they will be taken home by me. I already planned on that one.

[moonbeam]

I think it's awesome that you're taking their care so seriously, especially considering how you acquired them. I'm not sure how long it will take them to out grow the 15 gallon but my gut says 2-5 years might be pushing it. Tiny and small crabs seem to grow very quickly! I also think it's wonderful that you plan to have a retirement tank at your house. Lucky little crabs!

I do have a few questions? Have you already bought the play sand? You can get a 50 lb bag for under $5. With that much sand you can throw out the hermit crab sand. It hardens once it's been moistened and can be harmful to the little guys. Also I think with that much sand you might be able to reach 6" of substrate (someone correct me if I'm wrong) which will be even better for your crabs. Also, are you using any type of dechlorinated on your fresh/salt water? Have you checked your commercial food against the safe list? I'll link it after I post. Most commercial goods are not good for crabs. Hopefully some parent donations can help in this area? We have some great online resources here and the dry foods last for quite a while. And the last thing I'm a little confused about. Are you unplugging your heater everyday to do water and food changes or are you leaving it off at the end of the day? I think I'm reading it wrong but it's been a long day

Again, I think it's awesome you're doing all of this for the crabs! They really are amazing pets and it sounds like those 3 were lucky enough to find their way into your classroom!


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ETA: viewtopic.php?t=92555#p852658

[angelbear]

I do have a few questions? Have you already bought the play sand? You can get a 50 lb bag for under $5. With that much sand you can throw out the hermit crab sand. It hardens once it's been moistened and can be harmful to the little guys. Also I think with that much sand you might be able to reach 6" of substrate (someone correct me if I'm wrong) which will be even better for your crabs.

No, I have not already brought play sand. Another teacher had a bag they used last year, I found out on Friday in their classroom. She said I could have what is left of it, but I did not get a chance to check how much that was before the end of the day. That is why I worded it like I did. If it is not enough, I will mix it to help until my next paycheck (gotta love bills) and replace it completely. I deemed a heater more important. As these are new pets I do not have them bugeted

Also, are you using any type of dechlorinated on your fresh/salt water?

I am using API concentrated de-chlorinator for the fresh water I have for my fish tanks at home. Three drops to a gallon remove everything from chlorine, to heavy metals. I make it by the gallon and fill my carrying bottles for work. I have been replacing the water with fresh weekly. For the salt water, I have a bag of aquarium salt I have been using. Not the best from what I read, but it won't hurt them, this is also mixed weekly and placed in a carrying bottle. When my next paycheck comes in two weeks I plan on looking for the better salt with the sand.

Have you checked your commercial food against the safe list? I'll link it after I post. Most commercial goods are not good for crabs. Hopefully some parent donations can help in this area? We have some great online resources here and the dry foods last for quite a while.

No, I did not think to check I read the ingredient label didn't see anything amiss, I will write the name down and check on Monday. If anything they are getting dry and fresh and eat it more then the pellets anyways. I have been using the online list but creating my own from my crabs preferences. They love acorns, but did not touch rose petals/leaves. They love cheese. ect....we get lunch served to our room, a meat, grain, fruit, vegi, dairy every day, it is unseasoned except for a little salt. I have been saving a spoon full of this and that rinsing and cutting it to put in the tank at the end of the day. At least when I am in there sometimes I come in after lunch. So I have back ups from my house.

And the last thing I'm a little confused about. Are you unplugging your heater everyday to do water and food changes or are you leaving it off at the end of the day? I think I'm reading it wrong but it's been a long day

I plan on un-plugging it at the end of the day for care and maintenance since the kids are closer and crowded around the tank for safety don't want accidental burns. Its off for about 15-20 minutes max before plugged back in. The care routine is, choose a kid to dump and rinse each bowl. Choose a kid to fill each bowl, with a little help. Teacher places them in tank to prevent spillage. Let a kid with supervision mist the environment. (1 or 2 sprays) Let them enjoy a close look of an active crab. Usually shark. He loves to be picked up, when we come over, and remove the lid he starts trying to climb up, and will crawl right on my hand. He wonders in a safe area under supervision, and we talk about him ect....the other two are more shy and are dug under more often or not so rarely are they picked I leave them alone. I am thinking shark (named for his shell) was either very new to the store when they bough him, or has been there a while and is just used to being picked up. Not really sure he is the smallest and as soon as you pick him up (guessing its a him) he hangs out of his shell waiting to be placed on something to explore his little eyes looking at you.

Again, I think it's awesome you're doing all of this for the crabs! They really are amazing pets and it sounds like those 3 were lucky enough to find their way into your classroom!

Thanks, hope I answered the questions I am trying to do the best. It won't just be this three either. When they get bigger or start to look crowded or fight I will retire them, or adopt them out with care packets, to spread information on proper crab care, and then save three more from the pet store, or ..more if I want a buddy or two for the tank I am planning at home.


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[Scarlz]

Is that supposed to be a 15 gallon, or were you saying you have one 5 gallon tank?

[angelbear]

Is that supposed to be a 15 gallon, or were you saying you have one 5 gallon tank?

its one 5gallon tank. It was what was given to me not a choice. And so far I cannot convince them bigger. I have a small chance when they get bigger. But not right now.

[Scarlz]

A five gallon tank for even three smalls is way to small. Though I do understand your predicament. Part of the problem with small tanks is not enough room and they will possibly fight. Also just saw you were using aquarium salt, it is not the kind of salt water they need and does nothing for them. But it doesn't hurt them. I reccomend instant ocean. Also the commercial food isn't the best route either. You can feed them veggies scraps, meat, sect as a healthier alternative.
Hope that helps a bit.

[angelbear]

A five gallon tank for even three smalls is way to small. Though I do understand your predicament. Part of the problem with small tanks is not enough room and they will possibly fight. Also just saw you were using aquarium salt, it is not the kind of salt water they need and does nothing for them. But it doesn't hurt them. I reccomend instant ocean. Also the commercial food isn't the best route either. You can feed them veggies scraps, meat, sect as a healthier alternative.
Hope that helps a bit.

Yeah, I know about the salt only thing I have on hand until my paycheck. I do feed them veggie scraps an what not. I mostly dropped the pellets in over the weekend since I can't take them home every weekend with me, I don't always go straight home. At least until I can get a storage of dry food saved up. I try new things on week days where I can see if they like/eat it. I do take them home on holidays however since we are not there longer than two days/nights. My boss sees three smallish quarter sized crabs and says.....they will fit in there have plenty of room with out no research. Does not care about adult sizes. I asked If I donated a 10g tank could I upgrade......answer was no. So I do what I can. Which is take out active ones for exercise in a large box with high enough sides they can't climb out every evening for about 20 minutes. And am working on making a second level once I get everything else settled to provide more surface area. I am hoping if they live, and I am pushing for them to doing what I can. That when they get to be medium sized and it is obvious they are two big they will spring for a bigger better tank. I personally was pushing for a 20g long on our back shelf when I first saw them.

[CallaLily]

I'm so sorry you're stuck in this situation. With you being completely in charge of their care they really should be allowing you a bit more choice in what and how. I hope they'll reconsider.

Try to also keep adoptions in mind when you go to look for more crabs. I know this can be difficult, especially when looking for a specific size, but if it's do able adoption is the better way to go. Continuing to purchase crabs from stores only supports their collection from the wild. Just a suggestion.

[angelbear]

I'm so sorry you're stuck in this situation. With you being completely in charge of their care they really should be allowing you a bit more choice in what and how. I hope they'll reconsider.

Try to also keep adoptions in mind when you go to look for more crabs. I know this can be difficult, especially when looking for a specific size, but if it's do able adoption is the better way to go. Continuing to purchase crabs from stores only supports their collection from the wild. Just a suggestion.

I will rememeber that. I am hoping I can in the end. Only want what is best for them. Which is why I pour my own money into the classroom, like with my kids too. When I can afford it. I am planning to ask again when budget rolls back over as I am thinking that has some to do with it. They might be bigger by then too to help my argument.

As for choice the way they see it is they done their part and it is an easy low-maintince pet like many parents get from pet store information