what do you think?

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keeliaa
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what do you think?

Post by keeliaa » Thu Mar 04, 2021 11:22 am

I am thinking to help organize all my different crab foods, i’ll organize them in a larger pill container. i already have an empty one. i think if i boil it in dechlorinated water it should work great. have any of you tried food organization systems? if so what are they? (of course ill have to refill the containers every week or so but it should be easier than like ten different bags)

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curlysister
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Re: what do you think?

Post by curlysister » Thu Mar 04, 2021 12:27 pm

I just put the little baggies into a Tupperware container in the freezer.
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers

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crabs_lex
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Re: what do you think?

Post by crabs_lex » Thu Mar 04, 2021 4:16 pm

i have 2 of those collapsible cubes and stack things in tupperware or in the original bad or container if it reseals
they fit a lot on them and i store mine under my 55 gal

one of these
https://www.target.com/p/11-34-fabric-c ... lsrc=aw.ds

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JoeHermits
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Re: what do you think?

Post by JoeHermits » Thu Mar 04, 2021 8:48 pm

A pill organizer will do fine, but you don’t need to boil it—most plastics will release chemicals when boiled.


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crabbycasey
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Re: what do you think?

Post by crabbycasey » Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:02 am

keeliaa wrote:I am thinking to help organize all my different crab foods, i’ll organize them in a larger pill container. i already have an empty one. i think if i boil it in dechlorinated water it should work great. have any of you tried food organization systems? if so what are they? (of course ill have to refill the containers every week or so but it should be easier than like ten different bags)
I have glass jars and a plastic cup organizer...all in a big tote (doesn’t look so organized, but it works for me, lol)
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mool
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Re: what do you think?

Post by mool » Fri Mar 05, 2021 10:24 am

I keep my purchased mixes in their little zip top baggies in the freezer--usually in the padded shipping bag they came in. I'm all about low tech and easy.
Last edited by mool on Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:58 pm, edited 2 times in total.


Momma And Company
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Re: what do you think?

Post by Momma And Company » Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:43 pm

I don't have any crabbies yet, but I plan on a menu. I dunno if it'll work or not but I know I need to start somewhere, LOL. Keep a list of everything I have from calcium, to foraging, to protein/fruits/veggies and treats then sketch out something. This way between the freezer, fridge and cupboards I know exactly what I have and to note down "best by/used by" dates. This will be part of my "crabby journal" so I can also see what they love, like, and just plain don't like for future purchases/planning. Examples:

Calcium - I plain to have at least 3 sources in the tank for them to start, try to see what they like best. If no clear winner, I'll end up mixing them all together plus introducing maybe 1 - 2 other sources on the side, just to see. I'll be grinding my own in terms of cuttelebone, oyster shells, etc. but calcium powder will come as is. Not sure how best to store all this yet but in clearly labeled baggies.

I figure 1/2 - 1 tsp teaspoon each of 3 kinds, separate or mixed will last maybe 2 weeks, keeping an eye on it in tank. I'd mix it at the time I'd put it in.

Foraging - I plan to have a forage basket of leaves, petals, snake skin, etc. these will be dried and stored in cupboard, kept intact. Excess will be frozen maybe, depends. This way if the crabbies want to crawl in the basket, they have some cover from the "food" which they play/munch. I'll need to keep an eye on it for replacement but also how much they munch.

Protein/fruit/veggie - this is tricky for me. I'd like them to have at least 3 protein sources and 2-4 fruits/veggies. Some is easy like crickets, mealworms, bloodworms, krill etc. for frozen/dried - veggies and fruits to start, I'd use what I get for my own cooking/prepared meals and just set some aside to dice up small and put in small mini icecube trays before bagging/labeling.

I'd also grind up nuts/seeds and bag/label to freeze - freezing stops the oils in them from spoiling.

Natural nut seed/butters, popcorn, etc. in the cabinet or can freeze (the butters).

So my plan is multifold - a plastic basket/container in my freezer, the same in a cabinet and fridge all for crabbies. The fridge one will be for fresh stuff I plan to use myself and then dice/store extra for them while I'm making my freezer meals. Like that day I'm cooking I might reserve a tsp of green peppers, carrots and (skin off) peas plus tiny diced apples and pears - then freeze the rest.

If I make chicken for my meals, I'll reserve some for crabbies - same with fish/shrimp (no breading) etc.

I have NO idea how this will all work - thus my journal/writing it all down. This is just how my brain works though - I like the idea of a large pill container but just make sure you have lots of calcium, protein/fruits/veggies/snacks. Variety is always the key.

I know in taking care of large fish, like Oscars - a lot of hobbiest will make icecube sized meals on their own. They blend a couple protein sources, etc. and then freeze in ice cube trays but that involved gelatin, etc. which I wouldn't suggest, since I don't know.

But if you'd want to try the pill container idea, no I wouldn't boil it - plastic leeches chemicals when it's hot. You can clean with a good 15 min soak in a warm water (NOT hot) vinegar solution then rinse really well and let air dry.

To fill the sections - do you have a big food processor? You can toss in 2-3 kinds of protein, 2-3 fruits/veg and pulse it all until it looks kinda like a gloopy mess (NOT pureed). Then section it out into the pill compartments but I'd suggest VERY lightly coating the compartments in olive oil or coconut oil before filling. This way when they're frozen, you can tap them out more easily into a baggie or using a butter knife to loosen would be easier.

Then when it's time, you can thaw a cube or two, etc. in a shallow bowl in your fridge before putting it in the tank the next day or two. I'd make sure whatever you thaw it in has a lid though, just to keep in moisture.

I'll be offering mine all separate just to see what they like, then I might get into blending. Sorry for the long post and rambling! I'm still learning myself but your idea intrigued me. Let us know your thoughts and how you get on!

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