Hello everyone, I'm Jimmy. My wife bought a crab about 4 years ago, in Ocean City. I would've been against it, had I been there. I didn't think it was going to live very long, but it did. So I got it a bigger tank, some real substrate (instead of just a few peddles in a tiny wire cage), a hiding spot and I gave it a name. Ralphy. Knowing what I've come to learn so far, I'm really surprised he survived. But he did. So I got him a friend, Randy, and continued to upgrade their bachelor pad. I'm actually not even sure of either of their sex. But long story short, I decided to go all in, and build my first Crabitat. I now have 6 total. They all live in a 30g tank. Ralphy and Randy have actually just came back up from their second molt (Their 1st molt in the new Crabitat). The others disappeared almost immediately after move in day. Being their first molt with me. So far only one has re-emerged. I'm pretty nervous about the other 3 they are taking their good old time. I'm afraid I may have killed 2 of them. I did not know they needed total darkness in order to molt. I opened up the cabinet door under their tank and used my flashlight to monitor their whereabouts. I could only see 2 through the glass. They are the ones I fear are dead. They haven't moved at all in weeks. I think they would be considered small. Actually Im pretty sure they all are "small". Ralphy and Randy are a little bit bigger then an American 50 cent piece. 3 are a little bit smaller, and my smallest is about the size of a quarter. All purple pinchers btw. My temperature mostly hovers around 70° and the humidity is usually 50-60% on the sand side. 75% on the water side. Which reminds me, what would be a reasonable water temperature?
Anyway, here are some pics of my current setup. I think I did at least a half decent job having been my first attempt. Lmk what you think.
The fog machine
Fresh water bubble pool before I added in the sand.
The salt water bubble bath I made from a food container.
2 level lunch room
Riverstone divider
Water leak test, which btw I have yet to see ANY crab use. I'm not sure if it's water, the Riverstone, or something else they don't like. I'm gong to try something different next time.
Gravel bottom with bubbler line
Soon to be 2nd floor. I'm not completely sure if I like it yet. I'm still working out the kinks before I attach it. The light on the right is only there for the picture. I think I'm going to use a UVB florescent light across the top of the 30g behind the top tank. I have a 60w ceramic bulb for heat on top of the top tank and im thinking of installing an overhead red light where you see the regular light bulb now. Should look somewhat like this.
