Okeeey, something new... plastic tote.

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LadyJinglyJones
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Location: The 6ix, Ontario, Canada

Okeeey, something new... plastic tote.

Post by LadyJinglyJones » Thu Jan 19, 2017 4:38 pm

In an interesting turn of events I'm taking on the responsibility of rehoming three crabbies... I won't have the space or really the financial freedom to upgrade to a tank big enough for five crabs til the early summer, but their owner wants them gone & so I'll try to get them into new hands within a few weeks ... but I'll have to keep them for a bit (I may have an experienced crabber to take them - but she's in school out of town for a month or two.)

So in the mean time, Ima do the plastic tote.

I have le questions for experienced tote'ers.

1. Ventilation: where on the walls/lid is best? Any considerations that I might not think of?

2. Is there a best type of lid to buy? Also, I'd expect I need to secure the lid because crabs are sneaky escape artists... what methods are best?

3. How would I hang a moss pit? Should I drill holes in the side & zip tie?

Thanks, team!
"Gaze upon the rolling deep..."
Quince the fat tailed gecko; Amazonian minnows; and now Harry & Luis, Bede & Aster, Chandra & Jace, Pax, & Piccolo, my adopted PPs.
RIP Vegita :(


Just Jay
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Re: Okeeey, something new... plastic tote.

Post by Just Jay » Thu Jan 19, 2017 5:02 pm

LadyJinglyJones wrote:In an interesting turn of events I'm taking on the responsibility of rehoming three crabbies... I won't have the space or really the financial freedom to upgrade to a tank big enough for five crabs til the early summer, but their owner wants them gone & so I'll try to get them into new hands within a few weeks ... but I'll have to keep them for a bit (I may have an experienced crabber to take them - but she's in school out of town for a month or two.)

Hi! By no means do i have tote experience but i was thinking about upgrading to a tote myself. So of course just like you i had questions and was trying to think of problems. I happen to work fora pet supply and used to work for the zoo. So im lucky to have friends with a variety of pets and coworkers i can ask. I put a reply with my name under your questions. Mainly replied because im still thinking about a isopod tote and want to see what other tote members due. Hope you dont mind!

So in the mean time, Ima do the plastic tote.

I have le questions for experienced tote'ers.

1. Ventilation: where on the walls/lid is best? Any considerations that I might not think of?
Every thing ive seen has been on the top with a drill or poker. Then i saw one tank updated to have mesh panels on top inserted. Also one tote later updated they were really humid and having mold issues so they put a few at the very top of all the walls. These were from crabbers on youtube. -jay

2. Is there a best type of lid to buy? Also, I'd expect I need to secure the lid because crabs are sneaky escape artists... what methods are best?
Ive seen most looking for or using the air tight /water tight totes for both those issues. Im often curious as to if you need some securing? Maybe for bigger crabs? -jay

3. How would I hang a moss pit? Should I drill holes in the side & zip tie?
Apparently suction cups work in humid totes. You can also you safe silicone. Or drill holes and use zip ties then cover the holes [with a few different things] to keep humidity in. -jay
Thanks, team!

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hermitcrabdc
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Re: Okeeey, something new... plastic tote.

Post by hermitcrabdc » Thu Jan 19, 2017 5:32 pm

I initially did ventilation holes on the lid. Slowly the number of holes started growing, because of the benefit of being able to hang things wherever I want. I ended up insulating over the holes in the lid. So I don't think it matters where you put them, just consider where you'll insulate (The top will probably need it)

Get a lid that will keep in humidity. I made the mistake recently of getting a lid that hardly overlapped with the bin, it doesn't hold humidity very well. This is one of mine that I like. The lid holds in humidity really well https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-27 ... k/43393266

You can drill holes in the lid and hang a moss pit with twine. If you can find a container with holes in the side you can hang it from the side with zip ties. There's lots of things you can do in totes that's not possible in aquariums because you do have the ability to drill holes in the side :)
Crabbing since July 2013!
4 PPs - Chloe, Tani, Kono, McGarrett

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GotButterflies
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Re: Okeeey, something new... plastic tote.

Post by GotButterflies » Thu Jan 19, 2017 8:18 pm

I don't have a tote, but I know you would want to get a clear one like this:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Homz-112-Qt- ... WvYbG984L0
It has the locking lid like Hermitcrabdc mentioned. :) I think a tote would be cool!
Truly blessed to have incredible creatures, wonderful friends and my amazing family in my life!! I'm very thankful & grateful for all of them! www.thehealthyhermit.com

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LadyJinglyJones
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Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2016 12:01 pm
Location: The 6ix, Ontario, Canada

Re: Okeeey, something new... plastic tote.

Post by LadyJinglyJones » Thu Jan 19, 2017 8:44 pm

Thanks, as usual, you guys are awesome!
:crabbigsmile:
"Gaze upon the rolling deep..."
Quince the fat tailed gecko; Amazonian minnows; and now Harry & Luis, Bede & Aster, Chandra & Jace, Pax, & Piccolo, my adopted PPs.
RIP Vegita :(

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GotButterflies
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Re: Okeeey, something new... plastic tote.

Post by GotButterflies » Thu Jan 19, 2017 8:47 pm

Those hermits are going to have a great foster mom!! :)
Truly blessed to have incredible creatures, wonderful friends and my amazing family in my life!! I'm very thankful & grateful for all of them! www.thehealthyhermit.com

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