Is there anything wroung with my tank?

Horsejazz34 · Post by **Horsejazz34** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 10:55 am

Here is a link to a photo of my new tank. Let me know if it is ok and if not how to fix it without spending any more money. The blue cage is what my crabs were living in before and they like climbing it and would not be separated from it so I added it to the tank. I have other large shells at my disposale to use if needed. Also is it ok if my humitity gage temporarily spikes to 90? Thanks for all help you can give.http://i1377.photobucket.com/a...mage_zpsbaf6d9f4.jpg

Marshmelo76 · Post by **Marshmelo76** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 12:06 pm

You've come to the right place for help! How many are in there and what are their sizes? It appears that your sand needs to be deeper. Hopefully it is play sand? Do you keep the screen lid mostly covered to keep in humidity?

Horsejazz34 · Post by **Horsejazz34** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 12:17 pm

It is play sand weted with diclorinated water to sand castle consistancy. ocean is my smalist crab id definatly call him a small crab butterfly is a big girl shes not a jumbo but id say shes somewhere between small and medium shes about an inch tall id say from gessimateing. that and how would i get them out and where would i put them to put in more substrate and how much would i need and would it be ok if i waited until next cleaning time to do it. Also how do you pick these guys up safely they did ot want to be freed from their climbing aperatus on the walls of their old cage to go into the tank and id like not to hurt them or be pinched next time i need to move them. will post a picture of them later.

Horsejazz34 · Post by **Horsejazz34** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 12:17 pm

by the way there's only the two of them

Marshmelo76 · Post by **Marshmelo76** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 1:03 pm

The general rule for depth is 3 times higher than your tallest. Two is a good number for a 10 gal. I wouldn't get any more. You could take out their metal carrier with them in it while you add more sand or just put them at one end while you put sand in the other, then move them to that end while you take care of the other. As for moving them, if they are latched onto something you probably can't safely pull them off. If they are just wandering around the sand, they probably will tuck in when you go to pick them up. The important thing to remember is to not hold them in a position where they feel they can fall. That's when they will pinch. One more thing...you probably won't want to keep the metal carrier in there. It will begin to rust which would be harmful to them. You can get some fishing net (boil it first) fairly cheap at a craft store if you want something for them to climb on. Just hang it with suction cups.

Geranium · Post by **Geranium** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 12:19 am

Definitely needs more substrate. Twice the height of your largest crab but a minimum of 6 inches. I agree, remove the metal cage, you can replace it with a plastic bowl or such tipped on its side or just a coconut hut (do not get the ones that are painted). You already have a hide so maybe get them a stick to climb on, maple tree wood is one of the favorites in my tanks also cholla but the maple would not cost anything if you have one in your yard that has not been treated with pesticide, etc.The heat lamp is a bad idea, it will kill your humidity. An under tank heater (UTH) stuck to the back of the tank NOT under it, rated for a 30 gallon tank will usually provide enough heat. Heat and humidity should both be no lower than 75. Mine prefer 80.To keep humidity in, cover the lid with saran wrap or glad press & seal, tape it down over the outside, leaving a small, maybe 1/4 inch section for air circulation. Open it more if your humidity goes super high.Remove the painted shells, once the crabs change out of them, remove those as well. Are the shells you have the same general size as the ones your crabs are in?

Geranium · Post by **Geranium** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 1:13 pm

What are your temperature and humidity readings? Maybe you could insulate them around the tank until you can convince your Mom that the heat pad is necessary.

Laurie LeAnn · Post by **Laurie LeAnn** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 3:26 pm

Just tell her they will die with out a constant heat source, if she says heat lamp tel her that it is to hot.

Horsejazz34 · Post by **Horsejazz34** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:31 am

Humity went between 70-90 the first few days now I have it between 75-85. Temp has been mostly 80 because it's been hot out but can't count on that forever just today the temp dropped and I had to turn them lap on problem is I can't leave it on constantly without my their to keep up humity with a spray bottle. My birthdays October 31st if I can just get them to be ok that long, if that's even Posible, with the pads being only 25-30 bucks max that I've seen I should be able to have someone get one. Going to sneak down and turn up house heat to 75 while moms not looking that might help.

Tetra4CClyPtus · Post by **Tetra4CClyPtus** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 2:33 am

To help with keeping in humidity; you can tape together Saran wrap pieces, or if you got a plexiglas glass lid that measures the exact with your tank lid . With limited holes for ventilation. Don't worry about suffocation, your crabs have modified gills, not lungsYou can get a uth ( under tank heater. But put it on the sides or back NEVER on the bottomThese gills work on moist air for proper respiration

Horsejazz34 · Post by **Horsejazz34** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 5:26 am

Here's the new and improved version with one side sloping up to sand that's 5-6 inches had to take them out and terrify them too do it so if anything else needs to be changed that involves them needed to be moved or leavening their tank it better be big. I just need to know if this is good and will give them what they need to molt and be good for a month untill their adjusted and I change the sand again. http://i1377.photobucket.com/a...mage_zps81fa2b2a.jpg

Horsejazz34 · Post by **Horsejazz34** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 12:49 pm

Sorry link apparently dosent work http://i1377.photobucket.com/a...mage_zps81fa2b2a.jpg