Pinchy Palace Journal

[RiNiKy506]

Just amazing! Keep up your awesome work!

[Scarletfire]

I finally got my hands on a other hamster wheel. 5his specific one was sold out at the few closest locations. All Living Things medium size. Although this one is the PetSmart brand wheel, I find that it spins just as well of not better than the branded ones, at half the price. I'm finally able to extend the wheel for my bigger crabs. I decided to mount it upside down against the back egg crate, so the legs will provide the mounting surface, and another place for crabs to climb. I tried weaving st first, but the string came loose at the corner too easily and it wasn't turning out as nice as I wanted. I told myself I wasn't going to make another... But I started another net.

The salty is underway. Currently, a submersible pump is used. I'll need to pick up a wave maker to get better flow. A few pieces of fish food added so far to start the cycling process.
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Cable management also needed once all appliances are set in stone.

[Scarletfire]

There wasn't enough water movement, so an oily slick was forming. I picked up this surface skimmer, and it seems to be doing good. I'll check in the morning.

I need to find a wave maker, specifically the Jebao slw-10 to ensure the rock gets enough dispersed flow. Once I see how long the cable is, I may put all the hardware on the opposite side

Does not help my cable issue haha. Although there's a lot of obstructions in the last photo... I think sw will be awesome once I get some green and red algae in there later.

Thoughts on condensation for the freshwater pool? I put the ladder and crab walk over the sponge filter, but there is still a lot of condensation. It's primarily where the tank is, but there is some along the front of the terranium portion of the tank as well.

[aussieJJDude]

This may sound like a waste, but a small computer fan blowing in that corner may help evaporate condensation. Works very well for me, just an added electrial equipment.


(Think of it like a powerhead for the air! Haha, the jebao will probably be overkill, so be prepared to run it at the lowest setting)

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[Scarletfire]

This may sound like a waste, but a small computer fan blowing in that corner may help evaporate condensation. Works very well for me, just an added electrial equipment.


(Think of it like a powerhead for the air! Haha, the jebao will probably be overkill, so be prepared to run it at the lowest setting)

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I couldn't find something adjustable at a lower price/capacity. Do you have a recommendation for a wave maker?

There's an older laptop cooler I can rip the fan out and mod. I'll compare that with a USB desktop fan...

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[aussieJJDude]

Moat powerheads are going to be a little strong, especially the cheaper ones. I wouldn't worry too much tbh.


(The tunze nano would work, but very expensive. Jebao is probably one of the cheapest IMO.

As for the fan, either all works. I actualy purchased a computer fan with a USB cable attached on the end. Worked a dream.

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[Scarletfire]

Do you have a photo of how it's mounted? I deconstructed the fan, but not sure how to securely mount it in the tank.

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[aussieJJDude]

No not currently. Im away on holiday, and deleted/moved all my pics from my phone so I could take all the happy snaps!


Most make a small cage out of plastic canvas (may need bigger holes where it blows out, like the size of eggcrate... honestly, you could make a box out of eggcrate) and then position in the tank. Most like it hang it off the lid/centre brace using zipties, suction cups, command hooks ect

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[Scarletfire]

Ohh great idea. I'll work on that as soon as I finish the wheel net.

Thanks for responding on your vacation!

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[scuttlecrusty22]

This is looking so cool!!!

[aussieJJDude]

Ohh great idea. I'll work on that as soon as I finish the wheel net.

Thanks for responding on your vacation!

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I still have mobile data. So very helpful! Haha


Regardless of what you do, I'd love to see what you have created. Mine didn't really last for the crabs and have to replace the fan since a bit of water (probs shell water) got on the motor.

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[Scarletfire]

Since my new bigger shells arrived, I relocated all the shells in my current crabitat that are too small. The egg crate bows, so looks like I'll need to add another support to the front side

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[Scarletfire]

Exercise wheel complete! It's mounted upside down so nothing is touching the sand to minimize disruptions during digging activities. I tied up a net on the bracket so it acts an additional place to climb on. Although the wheel is a few inches off the sand, the crabs can climb on via the climbing structures.

Next up, I ripped the fan out of an old laptop cooler. There's a fan speed dial, and powered through USB. If I use this, I'll need to extend the wires to the fan speed controller, and get a USB to plug or USB extender. Then all wires need a wire casing that will be thermo wrapped. I can do that, or buy a desktop USB fan and get a cord extension.... Not sure if I want to bother to DIY this.



In other news, I lent 2 amano shrimps to my fiancee a few years back to deal with an algae issue. He's been bugging me to take them back as they keep stealing food from his neos. I guess they'll be back next week!

[KrankyKrab]

Hey Scarlet.... for your pools: How did you get the egg crate to adhere to the tank? The silicone doesn’t do a great job for me.

I’ve been following your thread - so helpful as I go along with constructing mine.

I like your minimalist look, too. Mine looks like a toddler found moms egg crate stash .

The ledge appears to have a center support (centered and leaves a tiny gap between back wall) but in other pics the center support looks flush to the tank wall


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[Crabby7Crabber]

Congrats on all your progress, Scarlet! I hope one day my hopefully huge tank could look like yours! All of you have given me great ideas! I love talking to fellow crabbers and seeing their ideas! I'll defineatly look back at this for future reference!