Upgrade to a 75 gallon tank!

[lauraroberson]

I did do a bit of research before deciding on what to have in the tanks. Actually learning from other posts and replies, although i honest cant telk you if they were all HCA. and in the end it was between mollies and guppies. They both are able to live in sw and fw and both are very abundant live breeders. This whole set up is for the hermits. And the fry can hopefully be an extra food source for the hermits. Without me having to constantly replinish. half of the few i have will be moved to the other tank and will then have even more room. 50g is MUCH larger that what I found reading up about it. Alot of the reason for the larger tank is for possible fry to grow and easier upkeep. But again this is all really for the hermies.

[soilentgringa]

viewtopic.php?t=103696

I would really consider the footprint left for the crabs to dig. The two fish tanks take up a lot of their tunneling room, so you will not be able to have nearly as many crabs in the tank. @Wodesorel had some sage advice in the linked thread regarding fish in pools in the 'tat. (I believe this is the correct link...). You have a really good sized tank and the crabs would really love that digging space!

[lauraroberson]

I actually currently only have 3 pp so they will already be getting a ton more space than what they previously had In their 20g, and I'm sure will be perfectly happy. And again the fish are not actually meant as pets but as a food source. I do understand that if the crabs do not take to the fry, crowding will be an issue, which I prepared in my mind for. So if they do not take to it them the fish will be rid of. I did like the idea of adding pill bugs though
I don't believe it said in the post but if I added them where could I get them? I don't believe they sell them at my local pet store and I am a bit cautious about just collecting some from around my home, nit knowing what they could bring into the tank. Even though I did see one poster in the link say that's what they would be doing, I'm just not sure I would feel comfortable with that.

[soilentgringa]

Isopods (roly polies, wood lice, doodlebugs, pillbugs, etc) can be found in your backyard or under piles of leaf litter/bricks/paving stones/logs. We live in Texas and I pick them up by the dozen out of my mother's backyard. She has lived in her home for 11 years and never sprayed pesticides so I know we're good. We actually just started "farming" them in a 5 gallon tank and will have a ton soon, I'm sure. They live for a couple of years from what I've read. If you collect them from around your home you might just keep them in a container that has lots of pesticide free leaf litter/bark/little pieces of wood and something for them to hide under. I lightly mist my little tank every other day to keep it humid but other than that they are very simple to care for. If you see a bright blue or purple one, never give it to your crabs and remove it immediately because it has a virus. Isopods are great tank cleaners.

[aussieJJDude]

I really do hope that you have a backup incase it doesn't work out. Also, I really hope those pools are cycled too. Personally, I wouldn't of add fish, but it's your tank. I just hope you know what you're doing - in terms of fish care.

[lauraroberson]

Ok but just so you can know, my back up would in NO way be to return them to the store. They had ATLEAST 40+ mollies cramped into a tank I don't believe was even quite 10g. So I'm sure you could agree that It wouldn't be the best option for them.. Please do not assume because I'm not posting every detail that that means I am unknowledgeable about fw and sw tanks. It is your right to decide not to add fish as it is my right to decide to add fish, as many others like me have.

[kornchaser]

I really do hope that you have a backup incase it doesn't work out. Also, I really hope those pools are cycled too. Personally, I wouldn't of add fish, but it's your tank. I just hope you know what you're doing - in terms of fish care.

Ok but just so you can know, my back up would in NO way be to return them to the store. They had ATLEAST 40+ mollies cramped into a tank I don't believe was even quite 10g. So I'm sure you could agree that It wouldn't be the best option for them.. Please do not assume because I'm not posting every detail that that means I am unknowledgeable about fw and sw tanks. It is your right to decide not to add fish as it is my right to decide to add fish, as many others like me have.

You said something about a 50g? If the overcrowding from breeding in the pools ends up happening then a 50g aquarium would be a much better alternative or "back up plan" then taking them back to the pet store. Taking pets back... Just doesn't sit well with me.


Mommy of 11 PP babies - Poseidon (Sid), Toby, Matty, Junior, Aries, Kaylee, Turbo, Adrian, Freckles, Pepper and Flower. RIP Octavius & Fred

[HCADirectors]

The Admins and Mods would like to remind everyone that while we encourage educating others on proper pet care, we ask that you do so in a polite and respectful manner. Please also keep in mind that there are many differing opinions and methods of crabbing, and often there isn't just one answer.

[lauraroberson]

Hey everyone! Wow so sorry its been awhile since I've posted. My husband and I have been BUSY!!! Feb-April are crazy amounts of birthday's for us to attend ect.. not to mention school and work. But I thought I would give yall a quick update. So a few things have changed. I decided to take the pool tanks out, just because after looking at it for a while I tended to agree with what soilentgringa had said, and I just want more space for my crabbies. Although they would have still had more space than they had I do want to get more and want to be sure they all have enough space. So thanks soilentgringa for helping realize that (also added rollie pollies as you suggested and my crabs loved them!). Instead I'll be putting in roller paint tray liners as their pools. I first need to adhere rocks to it so they can easily get around in them.
Next I'm having issues finding the right fitting lid for the tank. When we purchased it from the lady she did not have one for it. We bought glass one's from amazon which really did almost fit, but would easily slip and fall into the tank. So I have to find something else so right now we have plastic wrap. Any info on where I could find one would be awesome. It measures 48in long (w/ center brace, and am out 18in wide.
Since we are so close to being completly done we are looking into some new additions.
We really want some ruggiesee and strawberries. But livehermitcrabs.com is currently out of stock of both
If any of you know of any other online store that would be good for purchasin so new hermit babies I would really appreciate you letting me know.
That's all for now. I will try to post again soon as things progress.

[megmaholm]

What kind of lid are you wanting? A glass or plexiglass one? I think some home improvement places like Lowes will cut plexiglass for you - not sure about glass. You can order custom sizes online but the price + shipping is outrageous.

If you want a screen lid, Petco carries them for 75 gallon: http://www.petco.com/product/112185/Zil ... Cover.aspx

As far as getting crabs, I've never ordered online but have heard that reptilecity.com is pretty good. I think they sell Straws, but are currently out of stock. Livehermitcrabs.com seems to be hit or miss, so honestly I wouldn't trust them. Generally any exotic is going to be harder to find locally in most situations, and are usually a lot more expensive (especially after shipping) and more delicate.

[lauraroberson]

Honestly at this point it doesn't matter to me which kind. I just want one that fits. Whatever I get has to sit on a small inside lip. So idk what to do. If I have a choice between glass or plexiglass I choose plexi. Just incase it does fall like the glass one did. If yall have ideas of what I can do about this I would highly appreciate it. I don't want to spend to much $$ though :/

Note: inside lip measurements. 23.5 x 17

[Asheka]

I just had my plexiglass lid cut at Lowe's. It was about $50 in total, but that was one 14x14 piece and a 14x 23.5. I got to keep the extra pieces cut off too.

[lauraroberson]

Ok, first off the tank. My wonderful husband found a screen one online, it already came in and it fits!! YAY!
I am still working on the pools, I'm picky. I figured out the paint trays are to flimsy, and would be hard to deal with everytime i need to take them out to clean them. So now I'm going with containers and I'm going to silicone the craft canvas stuff to them as the ramps.
I am trying to convince my husband to get behind the tank and lower the heating mats, they are more above them substrate level than lower it. t
The tank is just VERY heavy and scary to move. I alone can not get it to budge a mm. Also the tank is not heating up to the right temp. We think the larger of the 2 heating mats is not putting through enough heat. You can easily feel the heat difference next to the small mat vs the larger one. Both are the same brand one is just larger. So i need to figure that out. What do ya'll use to heat your tanks? If you use mats, what brand?
Next i want to get one of these! http://www.petsmart.com/supplies/habita ... m%3Dsearch Do ya'll think the hermies would like it?
I also want to start on the second levels. I have so much going on in my brain about it. Do any any of ya'll have second levels? If so what did you use? I'm THINKING of getting one of those kitchen shelves, and maybe great stuff flaming it? what do ya'll think?

Next up, we have some new additions to our family!
You should know we were already wanting to add more hermies. We just ordered 3 ecuadorians from livehermitcrabs.com (i was sad to hear she is closing down shop). I thought i should get what i can while i can, and hopefully they will be here soon. But we added 4 pp just today! I was looking around online about hermits, as i do a lot lol. And I came upon a forum that had an adoption section. i didn't think anything would come of it really, living where i do (in the boonies of texas). But low and behold, the most recent post for an adoption (which was actually from back in september), was a lady from my small town area with 4 pp that had somehow fallen into her lap and she was caring fpr until she found them a home. I jumped on the chance surprised she still had them! They are here in them new home now and seem to be quite happy.
Haven't thought of names yet, just got them today.

Sorry for the long post, a lot happened in such a short amount of time. lol
Let me know what ya'll think and if ya'll have any suggestions! I want this to be the best home it can possibly be for my hermie babies!!

Thanks!

[soilentgringa]

Sounds really cool! Tupperware or glad dishes work well for water. Also you want your heater to be above the substrate as much as possible, you don't want it heating the sand. Ultratherms are really good. I got mine from the Bean Farm online but I think a lot of people get them from Reptile City. Amazon had a few sizes but I am unsure if they have any more.
Can't wait to see photos!

[fantasybookworm]

I got plastic tubs from a dollar store for my pools. They've been working out great & were super cheap!

I have an Ultratherm too. I got mine from this site - http://www.reptilebasics.com/ The price was very good, it shipped VERY fast & so far it's working great. I insulated the back of it with some tin foil & some foamboard (that you'd get at a craft store for a school presentation). If yours isn't insulated yet, maybe that would help direct more heat into the tank?

Also, I love the reptile cave! I don't know if the hermies would like it (I haven't had mine nearly long enough to catch on to what they like), but I think it looks cool. I added it to my "to buy" folder. You'll have to let us know how your guys like it if you get it!