I realize I'm pushing it off-topic here I'll try to keep this short and sweet because I have a tendency to write on and on and on.
I kinda want to try something new and expand my experience and knowledge. I love fiddler and red claw crabs so naturally hermits would be the next best thing I have a 75g crabitat that I am wondering if I can use as it is for hermits and if not, just looking for general guidance on how to best start it. For those that haven't seen it yet, here are some pics
Picasa Web Albums - fishbone - Crabitat
Essentially, the 75g is divided in half: sand beach and brackish water. The sand I have used is pool filter sand. Ambient temp is never below 72*F and usually hangs around 75-76*F or so. Brackish gravity is around 1.004-1.006. Humidity is around 75%. I can easily raise both humidity and ambient temp by completely closing off the covers; right now they are about a quarter open on either side of the aquarium light to allow fresh air in and avoid mold. So as you can already tell, it's a pretty darn good candidate for a hermit crabitat. Once the crabs are gone, I plan on tearing down the divider and spreading the bed of sand evenly, which will be about 3 inches deep I think. Species? Well, I am open to suggestions, but the most common encountered one is the typical carribean hermit (coenobita clypeatus) found at PetCo and Petsmart. I understand these guys can live to 20 years, so I am aware this would be a long-term investment and I am fine with that. If there are any other species better suited for a beginner, feel free to recommend
From what I have read, the ambient temp should not go below 72*F and should be somewhere around 75*F consistently, is that correct? Humidity should be no lower than 70% preferably around 75% or higher but no more than 90%? With the risk of being flamed to oblivion, I don't suppose I can introduce hermits in the crabitat as it is, can I? I will venture a guess that the answer is no primarily due to the fact that they can easily venture into the water area and drown. But since these guys venture in water on their own, wouldn't they be able to freely go in and out as they please? How many crabs can I get for the 75g? I figured I can get at least 4 or 5? I basically want the ideal number, not too few but not too many either. If the palludarium as it is right now with some minor modifications (such as the introduction of fresh and saltwater dishes) is fit for some hermies, that would be very very cool.
I think that's what I have as far as questions go for now, as I get into this more and more with my beforehand research, I'll come back and post. Thanks everyone for your anticipated insight and advice.
I kinda want to try something new and expand my experience and knowledge. I love fiddler and red claw crabs so naturally hermits would be the next best thing I have a 75g crabitat that I am wondering if I can use as it is for hermits and if not, just looking for general guidance on how to best start it. For those that haven't seen it yet, here are some pics
Picasa Web Albums - fishbone - Crabitat
Essentially, the 75g is divided in half: sand beach and brackish water. The sand I have used is pool filter sand. Ambient temp is never below 72*F and usually hangs around 75-76*F or so. Brackish gravity is around 1.004-1.006. Humidity is around 75%. I can easily raise both humidity and ambient temp by completely closing off the covers; right now they are about a quarter open on either side of the aquarium light to allow fresh air in and avoid mold. So as you can already tell, it's a pretty darn good candidate for a hermit crabitat. Once the crabs are gone, I plan on tearing down the divider and spreading the bed of sand evenly, which will be about 3 inches deep I think. Species? Well, I am open to suggestions, but the most common encountered one is the typical carribean hermit (coenobita clypeatus) found at PetCo and Petsmart. I understand these guys can live to 20 years, so I am aware this would be a long-term investment and I am fine with that. If there are any other species better suited for a beginner, feel free to recommend
From what I have read, the ambient temp should not go below 72*F and should be somewhere around 75*F consistently, is that correct? Humidity should be no lower than 70% preferably around 75% or higher but no more than 90%? With the risk of being flamed to oblivion, I don't suppose I can introduce hermits in the crabitat as it is, can I? I will venture a guess that the answer is no primarily due to the fact that they can easily venture into the water area and drown. But since these guys venture in water on their own, wouldn't they be able to freely go in and out as they please? How many crabs can I get for the 75g? I figured I can get at least 4 or 5? I basically want the ideal number, not too few but not too many either. If the palludarium as it is right now with some minor modifications (such as the introduction of fresh and saltwater dishes) is fit for some hermies, that would be very very cool.
I think that's what I have as far as questions go for now, as I get into this more and more with my beforehand research, I'll come back and post. Thanks everyone for your anticipated insight and advice.