Hello Happy Crabbers! I'm really new and have questions for friendly ears!!

Laurie LeAnn · Post by **Laurie LeAnn** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 2:50 am

quote:that they are a bit "boring", can't be handled and aren't very active. **not true at all! mine are active at dif times of the day, they can come in dif colors or shades , they have personalities! they can be handled just as any other crab to and friendly.

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 2:02 pm

Can I add I am more nervous of my big E, Gator. She is not that tame and not too into me. But my big PP, Phineas, is not afraid of me at all. In fact, I would say that in general the PP's are more tame. My E's all skitter away when "the giant hand from above" enters the tank!

Bustyfrog · Post by **Bustyfrog** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 4:03 am

Thanks again for your comments, I have done alot more looking into PP's and will be very chuffed once I finally get them!Finish up house-sitting tommorrow then after a spot of camping for my Birthday I will finally get home to set up my crabitat. Have yet to buy any accessories, is there any thing in particular you guys would recommend me to get? Or stay away from ?Still need to work out how many gallons my tank is too, so i know how many little friends I can get. Anyone know how to do that? Jenni. xx

Kirrie · Post by **Kirrie** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:08 am

I only have one PP at the moment, but he is very friendly and active at night. I don't handle him very often because I have been busy, but when I do he crawls all over my hands and isn't very shy.As far as determining the size of your tank, measure the length, width, and height in inches, then multiply (LxWxH). Then divide that by 231 to determine how many gallons your tank is because there are 231 cubic inches in 1 gallon.

Bustyfrog · Post by **Bustyfrog** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 9:56 am

Wow. Cheers for that. Shall have to locate my tape measure... I shall let you know how I get on!

Bustyfrog · Post by **Bustyfrog** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 10:25 am

Ok, so have discovered my tank is a 10 gallon. Have also found another british supplier. Have emailed to confirm the breeds they have in stock, no reply yet but by the looks of the photo (if it isnt just a generic one) my novice eyes think it's a Straw.Even though I really want Straws, I'm not convinced it's a good route as I know they're not so easy for beginners so should probably play it safe with the PP's. How many should I be aiming for of either breed in a 10 Gallon? Or should I just get a bigger tank? I'm thinking I might confirm with suppliers on their size at the moment, and maybe upgrade in a yr or so depending on growth rate? I'm all undecided... help!

HermitCrabby_LHC · Post by **HermitCrabby_LHC** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 1:05 pm

If it is bright red, its a stawberry. I have been crabbing for 2 years and I refuse to get them because I feel they will die.I would start with a 10 gallon. 1 large (please dont though) 2-3 mediums, 3-4 smalls, and like 10 micros.But, they grow fast so I would make sure you have enough room for a 29 gallon 9I dont but will make room and am saving money now for one) because they leave the same foot print as a 20 long but have more height. So pretty much,Dont get the strawberry crabsStarting with a 10 gallon is good for about a year or two, then you will need a 20 gallon or a 29 gallon2-3 mediums, or 3-4 smalls is good for a 10 gallon. Keep in mind they might grow fastI like tall aquarium decor and aqurium half logs, as well as ramp turtle docks.Crabs see in green (idk what that means, all I know is they can see green) so plants are amazing! If you go bigger than a ten the vines at micheals are pefect.If you dont have bigger than a ten gallon, I got my plants at dollar tree. You might have to bbuy 2 or 3 vines though, they dont have many leaves.Thats all I have!

Bustyfrog · Post by **Bustyfrog** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 12:42 pm

Turns out the other supplier is PP's too. Do you think 3 is a okay number for a ten gallon if they're relatively small at the moment? I would prefer to upgrade my tank once I move so I can get a bigger one than I have space for now.Have a healthy budget for my start up so can always up size twice I suppose. Thanks everyone for all the help. Don't know where I would have been without you all. Xx

jgfceit · Post by **jgfceit** » Wed Aug 28, 2013 5:04 am

3's the perfect amount for a 10 gallon.

Nnnnnnnn · Post by **Nnnnnnnn** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 6:27 am

Welcome! 3 will be fine for now, but I wouldn't have that set up for long, the most I feel comfortable with in a 10G is 2.

Bustyfrog · Post by **Bustyfrog** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 9:51 am

Thanks to the magic of ebay I have managed to land myself a 115 US gallon vivarium for my future little crabby friends! it's 23"L x 24"W x 48"H and I am planning on putting in a second level. So once I've picked it up this week I will start bugging everyone again for advice on setting it up! Super excited isn't the word! Hope everyone is doing well. Jenni

Laurie LeAnn · Post by **Laurie LeAnn** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:27 pm

congrats on your huge tank! hope you have a proper lid glass is the best and you are going to need a few extra large uth's on the back side of that baby to keep your humidity and temp up and some type of light for night and day cycle { like a moon glow light } I have one with a reg light, I leave it on all the time and turn my main light off at night, keeps my heat up to. unless you can find Eco earth cheap, ya might want to go with play sand, from the hard ware store. just make sure it is marked play sand not out side and been wet and has chemical oil smell. ya can get corner caddy's and if they have trouble staying up you can stick things under them to keep them up, like cake tiers! fake fish decoration logs, any fish decorations, wood sold at pet stores ya just want to wash them off with thier crab water and bake it dry. huge hunks of wood i have i took string and tied them up and took it and threaded it out of the tank and hooked it to a hook that is upside down so it has resistance and wont come off. ya can use zip ties to in your tank to secure things, think out side the tank, you don't have to use pet store stuff fore food bowls and drink bowls, brand new ashtrays, candle holders come in so many shapes and sizes, candy dishes, pet bowls, just no metal. hide huts can be mason jars on the side covered with e.e. or sand or new or very scrubbed clay pots. i dont know how many times i have changed my tank over the yrs. check the plastic and silk plants at times some crabs like to chew them. do.t use ones that look like they have pollen on them.. happy crabbing!