How long can crabs be out of tank?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 9:40 am

We're trying to figure out the logistics of building a second level before taking Nebuch out of ISO. I think it will take about 20-30 minutes to get the tank cleaned and set up, and another 30 to get the conditions stabilized.So, what do we do with the crabbies in the meantime? We could stick them all in ISO together, I suppose, but ISO hasn't been cleaned since Nebuch went in there. I'm pretty certain that he's parasite and disease free, so would it be safe to stick them all in there without cleaning first? Or should I just pull the main tank guys out and let them run around in a rubbermaid container for the hour? That seems like too long a time period to have them out of tank conditions...

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 4:50 pm

I use my Rubbermaid tub on deep clean day and they're fine. When the house is cool I put the play tub in the bathroom after running a warm shower for a few minutes and then shut the door; that keeps them happy for longer if need be. Just make sure there's no way for them to escape from the tub if you do that.

Froggz37 · Post by **Froggz37** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 5:44 pm

I agree about putting them in a rubbermaid and in the bathroom. I usually just set the rubbermaid in the tub after some hot water and turn the nightlight on and the overhead light off.

PSUPrncess10 · Post by **PSUPrncess10** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 6:23 pm

I use my rubbermaid container for deep cleans too... my deep cleans all depend on when there's no one down molting, so I dont get to do it all that frequently, so they usually get dunked in their "bath bowl" haha and then let to run in the container with some food and cleaned shells... I put the lid on, but dont latch it completely - to try and keep as much humidity in as possible but not suffocate them... you could dampen a small amount of substrate and throw it in the tub under them to help keep humidity up while they're in there too... they should be fine - I usually take about an hour to deep clean and before conditions are back ok...